Abstract
The new improvements of ICT technologies allow the opportunity to use these tools in the learning context and create smart environments for children and teachers in schools. In this paper, we present Block Magic (BM), a tool that exploits the Internet of Things theory using RFID technology. This tool allows the children to play traditionally with well-known didactic materials, the traditional Logic Blocks, but in connection with a PC and a dedicated software that increase the interaction. BM stimulates different learning activities for specific skills as mathematics, logic, language, problem solving and creativity. This low-cost and user-friendly technology allows enhancing the learning/teaching session due to the software feedbacks and the session tracker. The software is able to track the sessions of each child, and supporting the learner with a hidden Adaptive Tutoring System (ATS) that presents to the children the right exercises, based on the learners’ replies. BM was tested in four different countries (Germany, Spain, Italy and Greece) in the kindergartens and the primary schools, the target groups were in the range 3–7 years old. The tool was tested in a larger scale evaluation that involved 22 teachers and 495 children. The results shows a high degree of acceptability; that appreciated the concept and the innovation features. The trials showed some issues to be fixed, as the usability. BM was a research developed in the framework of a funded by the EU Commission.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Dienes, Z.P.: The Elements of Mathematics. Herder and Herder, Inc., New York (1971)
Dienes, Z.P.: Large Plastic Set, and Learning Logic, Logical Games. Herder & Herder, New York (1972)
Kranz, M., Holleis, P., Schmidt, A.: Embedded interaction: interacting with the internet of things. IEEE Internet Comput. 14(2), 46–53 (2010)
De La Guía, E., Lozano, M.D., Penichet, V.M.: Interacting with Objects in Games Through RFID Technology (2013)
Borghi, A.M., Cimatti, F.: Embodied cognition and beyond: acting and sensing the body. Neuropsychologia 48, 763–773 (2010)
Ponticorvo, M., Miglino, O.: Encoding geometric and non-geometric information: a study with evolved agents. Anim. Cognit. 13(1), 157–174 (2010)
Miglino, O., Di Fuccio, R., Barajas, M., Belafi, M., Ceccarani, P., Dimitrakopoulou, D., Ricci, C., Trifonova, A., Zoakou, A.: Enhancing manipulative learning with smart object. In: Learning Innovations and Quality: The Future of Digital Resources, pp. 112–119 (2013)
Acknowledgments
The BlockMagic project (517936-LLP-1-IT-COMENIUS-CMP) has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering
About this paper
Cite this paper
Miglino, O., Di Fuccio, R., Di Ferdinando, A., Ricci, C. (2015). BlockMagic, A Hybrid Educational Environment Based on RFID Technology and Internet of Things Concepts. In: Giaffreda, R., et al. Internet of Things. User-Centric IoT. IoT360 2014. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 150. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19656-5_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19656-5_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-19655-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-19656-5
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)