This technology-supported learning tool is a tool for the 21st century, inspired by the maker movement. One that builds important skills for active and constructive real-world problem solving through collaborative media (Kim, 2012). Such a tool has the potential to deepen any design process and empower communities to design solutions collaboratively.
This learning tool will allow users (students in our application) to experience how a collaborative effort will do the following: produce a greater understanding of the problem itself and its context; multiple ways to solve the problem through brainstorming collaboratively; how to work through the solutions to chose the most viable solution; forward and backward analysis; creation and testing of a prototype; reflection of the processes required from beginning to end to achieve the solution; and finally sharing their solution.
When the time comes to share the solution we would expect a sense of accomplishment and confidence in the solution for each of the collaborators resulting from being a part of the entire process. This type of educational tool also contributes to teaching how to handle: frustration, failure, success, achievement and much more.As we travel through our own design process of this educational tool, we expect our intentions, concepts, and scope to evolve.
“Design itself is a process of constant education” (Pilloton, 2010).
Explore the User Guide online with the links below or view the PDF version here.