Fifth Graders’ Learning about Simple Machines through Engineering Design-Based Instruction Using LEGO Materials

Simple machines could use in every elementary science curriculum for teaching and engaging engineering activities. In this study aim that students’ misconception will dispel about simple machines and teachers’ insight will change. Students’ attention holds a long time with LEGO. LEGO provide that teaching and learning are flexible and visual. In addition to students are creative and tangible what they have learned. According to triarchic theory of Sternberg’ learners are governed by three aspects of intelligence (practical, analytical, and creative) and suggest ways of maximizing strengths and minimizing weaknesses. Design based theory include same structure with Sternberg‘s triarchic theory (analytical, creative, and practical) but design based theory add memory skills and more scientific inquiry. Students have experience with learning by design’s steps. These steps are existed two cycles: Design/redesign cycle and explore cycle. This research interests in design/redesign cycle. Because students not only learn science but also they connect everyday life experiences. In this study, researchers focused on Design a people mover: Simple machine unit and they implemented what they have developed curricula and module. This implementation takes eleven lessons and every lesson is 60 minutes. Students will gain these: explaining and identifying simple machines, recognizing simple machines help humans by decreasing and increasing the input.  In this study, researchers use pre-test and post-test. And they want to triangulate data for this; they make semistructred interviews before and after instruction. This study implemented two classrooms. First classroom exist 17 students and second exist 16 students. Classrooms ‘teacher who has more 15 years of teaching experience and she attended workshop about Design a people mover: Simple machines curriculum module. Finally this study results student significantly improved their tests and interviews scores. According to the study’s results engineering design could be effectively to teach science and encourage students for apply scientific inquiry. In addition to triarchic theory can be useful at framework for designing powerful curricula. And using LEGO in science teaching decreases students’ misconceptions.  My question:

1) This study used LEGO and triachich intelligent theory. If this research intelligent theory instead of used multiple intelligent theory, what would be the results? Or why researchers chose triarchic theory?

2) How much time requires training for teachers who don’t know LEGO implementation?