Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 8
Observations on Tinkering in Scientific
Education
Maarten H. Lamers, Peter van der Putten and Fons J. Verbeek
Abstract
In recent years in arts, technology and science there appears an increas-
ing push to use technology and design in a more personal and autonomous context,
integrated with the physical world. Creative platforms are developed that open up
personal digital/physical technology to larger groups of novice tinkerers, allowing
people to take control of technology and prototype solutions to personal problems and
aims. Likewise, education benefits by providing students with tools and platforms
to learn by doing and making. However, these advances lead to new challenges for
scientific research and education. In this chapter, we explore some of the opportuni-
ties and challenges and summarize these into key observations. Particular attention
is given to tinkering in research-based education, and the opportunities for digital
tinkering in emerging worlds.
Keywords
Tinkering
·
Education
·
Constructionism
·
Science practice
·
Creative
research
8.1
A Return to Grass-roots Technology Development
Many of today's technology heroes and aficionados started their careers by what
can be considered as tinkering. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are well-known examples,
illustrated by anecdotes of working in garages with small, enthusiastic teams, sup-
posedly working under playful conditions. For many they exemplify what tinkering
and grass-roots initiatives could lead to. But also the Wii Remote tinkering projects
by Johnny Chung Lee (www.johnnylee.net), shown on Youtube.com, have captured
and sparked the imagination of many.
