Development of custom-made learning support tool utilizing digital fabrication technology

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K03065
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 09070:Educational technology-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University
• Principal Investigator: OKAMURA Yoshihisa 山口大学, 教育学部, 教授 (10204025)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: デジタルファブリケーション / オーダーメイド型教材 / STEAM / フェイスシールド / 教材開発 / 間接交流

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the first year affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we received consultations from various types of schools and developed a new type of face shield suitable for educational activities at schools. We even applied for a patent for it. In the second year, we responded to a request from a special needs school and developed teaching materials based on local specialty products. The utilization of digital processing machines is not only effective for developing teaching materials in special needs schools but also allows us to create new auxiliary tools and processing devices as needed, potentially customizing the learning environment. In the third and fourth years, we developed and operated teaching materials that circulated between special needs schools and general elementary schools. Additionally, we provided custom-made teaching materials to elementary school classes, allowing students’ designs to be completed as laser-cut works, and investigated their effectiveness and challenges.

Free Research Field

教育工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

学校には、障害を含む様々な事情を抱えた学習者が存在しており、そこから発生する様々な要求に対応することは難しい。こうした状況を改善する手段としてデジタルファブリケーションは有用であり、コロナ禍に学校からの依頼を受けて開発したフェイスシールドは、その可能性示す例といえる。またデジタルファブリケーション技術を用いて、必要な補助具や加工装置を製作する手法も、個別最適化が求められる学校教育現場にとって意義のあることだと考える。この関連として、児童のデザインをレーザー加工機で作品にする手法は、企業等で一般的に行われているものであり、学校教育と社会を関連付けるSTEAM学習の一つとして有意義といえよう。