Volume 12, Number 2

From Logo Programming to Fab Labs: The Legacy of Constructionist Learning in K−12 Education Technology

  Authors

Melvin LaPrade and Sherry Lassiter, Fab Foundation, USA

  Introduction

Mens et manus, the motto that is embedded in the MIT official seal, is a simple Latin phrase that translates to “mind and hand.” As a continuation of MIT’s pioneering education and research, Seymour Papert, a renowned educator and learning theorist, established the foundation of constructionism, which emphasizes hands-on/minds-on learning. This article explores the evolution of constructionism in K-12 educational technology from the Logo computer language to Scratch block-based programming and the introduction of Fab Labs, which represent the third-generation platform for constructionist teaching and learning. The use of Fab Labs in K-12 education aligns with the Mens et manus philosophy by providing students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world applications through hands-on experiences with digital fabrication technologies. The adoption of the proposed Fab Labs constructionist framework can help prepare students for the demands of a rapidly changing world and aligns with educational standards for science and mathematics.

  Keywords

Constructionist learning, Logo programming, Digital fabrication, &Fab Labs