Studies done in the recent
years have shown improvement in various skills and
knowledge in children who went through programmes
using LEGO Education products.
a)
The INFOESCUELA project (1999)
Conducted in Peru from 1996-1998, initiated by
the Peruvian Ministry of Education with the objective
of introducing technology to primary schools.
LEGO Dacta materials were used and the project
covered 130 schools.
The research to investigate the impact of this
initiative was conducted by Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT) in October 1998 - January
1999.
More specifically, the research aims to discover
the educational impact and the pedagogic effects
of using LEGO Dacta materials.
The results showed that
children participating in the project, as compared
to the control group, demonstrated:
Greater levels of achievement in mathematics,
language and technology than those in the control
group
A positive effect on the children's attitudes
to learning was reported.
b) The Sheffield Hallam University (2001)
Conducted by Margaret
Noble of Sheffield Hallam University in Spring and
Summer terms of 2001 to a English Junior School.
Main areas of research
are:
pupils' achievement,
pupils' motivation, engagement with and attitudes
to learning,
teachers' expectation and attitudes to the
above,
teachers' motivation.
LEGO Dacta resources
used:
Year 3 (ages 8 & 9) Early and simple machines
Year 4 (age 9) Mini kits - levers
Year 5 (age 10) Mini kits - levers and ROBOLAB
Year 6 (age 11) Simple and powered machines
The results showed:
Improved collaboration between pupils
Material equally motivating and effective
for both boys and girls
-
Positive shift in the
attitudes of the girls towards LEGO Dacta
resources over time
-
Noticeable
increase in the perseverance of the boys
All pupils were able to work at a level they
had previously been unable to achieve
High teacher and pupil motivation
Pupils demonstrated good level of achievement
within Design and Technology, English, Maths
and National Curriculum key skills and thinking
skills.
