Rematerialization of the virtual and its challenges for design and technology education

Authors

  • Henriikka Vartiainen University of Eastern Finland, School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education
  • Matti Tedre University of Eastern Finland, School of Computing
  • Anssi Salonen University of Eastern Finland, School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education
  • Teemu Valtonen University of Eastern Finland, School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education

Abstract

In addition to the virtualization of material and social processes, the 21st century is also characterized by rematerialization of the virtual—using augmented, embedded, and ubiquitous technologies to augment all kinds of material objects with virtual dimensions. Embedded technologies are in a never-ending loop of creating unforeseen exchanges between people, tools and artefacts and constantly co-modifying the environments of action. They can create extrasensory information layers on our perception, and they learn and accommodate to actions of people and other sensing items, who react and change their behaviours accordingly. While the rematerialization of the virtual creates new opportunities for learning from and with the tools and artefacts that augment human actions, it also challenges many existing practices of craft education. To this end, we introduce the reader to key technological trajectories that drive a need for teaching cross-boundary design competences that combine computational thinking with understanding of the social and material nature of human activity. We present an overview of a sociocultural approach for framing adaptive ecosystems that supports the evolving process of learning and making. We give examples of embedded technologies to illustrate the rematerialization of the virtual and suggest a pedagogical framework that bridges craft education and computing education for the development of the skills and mindsets needed for making the futures of digital society.
Keywords: computational thinking, maker pedagogy, learning by design, design & technology education

Author Biographies

Henriikka Vartiainen, University of Eastern Finland, School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education

Henriikka Vartiainen (Ph.D,  Ed.) is a  university lecturer  in craft science at  the University of Eastern Finland, School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education. Her research interests include participatory learning, design-oriented pedagogy and  technology in education. 

Matti Tedre, University of Eastern Finland, School of Computing

Matti Tedre (PhD) is a professor of computer science at the University of Eastern Finland, School of Computing.  His research interests span from computational thinking and computer science education research to ICT for development, social studies of computer science, and the history and philosophy of computer science.

Anssi Salonen, University of Eastern Finland, School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education

Anssi Salonen (M.Ed.) is a university teacher in technology education and a PhD student in science education at the University of Eastern Finland. His research interests are in context-based teaching, automation and technology education, and STEAM career awareness including future competencies.

Teemu Valtonen, University of Eastern Finland, School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education

Teemu Valtonen (PhD, Ed.) is a tenure track associate professor in the University of Eastern Finland at the School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education. His research interests lie in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education, targeting especially on pre-service teachers’ skills and readiness to use ICT in education. 

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Published

2020-02-19

How to Cite

Vartiainen, H., Tedre, M., Salonen, A., & Valtonen, T. (2020). Rematerialization of the virtual and its challenges for design and technology education. Techne Series - Research in Sloyd Education and Craft Science A, 27(1), 52–69. Retrieved from https://journals.oslomet.no/index.php/techneA/article/view/3558

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2020): Techne Series - Techne Serien

Section

Artikler

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