Deconstruction Kits for Learning

• DOI: 10.1145/3003397.3003410
• Publication Date: 2017-01-27T18:41:04Z
• Authors: Deborah A. Fields; Kristin A. Searle; Yasmin B. Kafai
• Keywords: Deconstruction (building); Arduino; Textile; Textile design

Learning to use a construction kit design, make, and program electronic textiles (e-textiles) has been found be rich context for students' learning of crafting, engineering programming. We propose the development what we call 'deconstruction' kit---the design faulty e-textile artifacts that students need de- reconstruct---as an alternative gain insights into learning. designed projects with strategically poor non-functional circuitry, insufficient coding investigate high school understanding coding, circuit creation (through sewing) LilyPad Arduino. videotaped analyzed ten collaborating in pairs as they engaged debugging, or fixing, various problems provided artifacts. Our findings indicate these deconstruction are not only promising tools evaluating e-textiles but can also become valuable on their own, especially when peer collaboration is taken account.