Affiliations: [a] Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA | [b] Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA | [c] School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA | [d] Teaching and Learning with Technology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
Abstract: Constructionism is at once a learning epistemology, a theory of learning, and a pedagogical approach that literally places education in the hands of learners. Constructionism situates students and mentors together in student-directed, project-oriented environments, often enabled with state-of-the-art computational technologies, to foster playful exploration and experimentation. Over time, shared learning experiences in constructionist environments may lead to the formation of learning cultures. To orient the design of constructionist environments for designers of engineering design education, this paper provides a historical context for Seymour Papert’s development of constructionism and distinguishes it from Jean Piaget’s philosophy of constructivism. Constructionism is introduced as an effort targeted at the reform of traditional education. Examples of constructionist environments for learning are then provided. The applicability of constructionism for the design of learning environments for engineering design is also discussed and observations are given for designing the tools, strategies, and activities that comprise constructionist learning environments for engineering design education.
Keywords: Engineering design education, constructionism, theory of learning, constructivist learning
