Edutec

The Edutec project isbasically a teaching initiative. It is characterized by the following starting premise: The learning of computer programming is what enables citizens to go from a passive technology consumer to an active participant in the world of technology. The consequences of this learning also results in changes in the methodology for resolving problems (general problems, not only computer ones), which are highly suitable in our current social environment.

Edutec offers initiation in programming with Scratch, Robotics and creative electronics with Scratch forArduino (S4A) or programming of mobile applications with AppInventor. For training in programming for educators to improve teaching, we highlight (Dibatec) for teachers. To train leisure monitors, we have (BitBot). Other projects depending  onEdutec provide support and development of tools, such as (S4A, Snap4Arduino, Snapi! i BeetleBlocks) and the co-organization of the Programming Session, with the Department of Education of the Regional Government of Catalonia, on programming and educational robotics.

The main objective of the Edutec project is tobring programming closer to everyone, in order to understand and approach technology; and in this way, develop critical thought, develop creativity and find new ways of facing problem-solving.

Edutec also aims to incorporate programming in the education system, in a transversal way in all subjects, train educators and disseminate and promote programming in the education environment. Similarly, Edutec also participates in the WhiteCat project to bring the world of IoT (Internet of Things) closer to everyone, and explore continuity between educational and professional fields, specifically in the creation of a programming environment by blocks and cases of use.

Each action within the project has specific objectives:

• Initiation to programming with Scratch

Introduce children and youths to programming in order to change the way of interacting with technology, towards a more active and creative way, and not only as users. At the same time, apply computer thought theories and achieve problem-solving strategies and logical thinking. Try out new teaching contents to transfer them to education and provide methods for teacher-training.

• Robotics and creative electronics with Scratch for Arduino (S4A)

Learning programming concepts to interact with the physical world of computers and microelectronics. Introduce robotics by using S4A or Snap for Arduino, designed in Citilab, free software on a free hardware platform. Also trying out new teaching contents to transfer them to education and providing methods for teacher-training.

• Programming mobile applications with AppInventor

Apply computer thinking theories and achieve problem-solving strategies and logical thinking, by using a free programming language, created by Google Labs and maintained by MIT Media Lab, called AppInventor. This enables everyone to construct programmes for mobile devices, piling blocks like a puzzle. And once again, trying out new teaching contents to transfer them to education and provide methods for teacher-training.

• Support and development of (S4A, Snap4Arduno, Snapi! and  BeetleBlocks tools.

Continue supporting the community on programming and programming tools by blocks to bring different, complex technological fields to everyone, particularly to education and teacher-training.

•  Programming and educational Robotics session 

Exchange of teaching experiences to undertake programming and educational robotics environments. Development in the use of programming and robotics among educators, within Primary and Secondary education classrooms. and among professionals interested in the subject.

AlthoughClubs,also form part of the Edutec project, they have their own webpage, where all information of interest can be consulted.

Edutec started in 2009 and the most outstanding results up to 2016, are the following:

Training in programming and robotics in Citilab

• Ongoing Scratch courses for children aged between 8 and 12 (+300 users)
• Courses in S4A and AppInventor for ages ranging from 12 to 99 (+200 users).
• One-day activities for children, teenagers and adults. (+3200 users)

Teacher-training

• Creation of telematic and training materials for teaching staff of the Regional Catalan Government (+700 teachers, +100 tutors by Citilab)
• Face-to-face, telematic and classroom support training for teachers of the Barcelona Provincial Council. Training in programming and robotics for leisure monitors in Bitbot and others. (+190 educators)

Support and tutoring of the Makers Club and Programming Club

• 12 projects

Support and development of tools

Edutec has designed its own tools to bring different fields of knowledge to citizens by means of programming in blocks.

• S4A and Snap4Arduino (electronics, robotics)
• Snapi! (open data and Internet APIs)
• BeetleBlocks (design and 3D printing)

Sessions

Edutec has participated in the co-organization of sessions and conferences, both as speakers and developing various support and dissemination actions. It has also published several articles.

• ESUG 2010 at Citilab
• International Scratch Conference 2013 at Citilab
• 2009-2016 Program. Sessions on programming and robotics teaching in school environments (+300 teachers up to 2016)

Edutec, together with all the projects that form part of it, is addressed toall citizens from children to adults..

The general context where the project is developed is a society that is becoming increasingly more dependent on new technologies, with a population that, metaphorically-speaking, is missing the boat. Technology reaches citizens like a magic tool, and not as a tool which they understand, dominate and use to express themselves. It involves offering citizens the tools to change this trend. In this sense, in the specific context of the project, Citilab, is the ideal place to develop it, owing to the coherence of objectives between the philosophy of the centre and the Edutec project.