MachineShop: A Design Environment for Supporting Children's Construction of Mechanical Reasoning and Spatial Cognition

  1. Introduction
    1. Motivating Problem
      1. Mechanical Reasoning and Spatial Cognition
    2. What makes a good domain for acquiring and enhcancing these skills?
    3. Automata as one such domain
      1. What are automata
      2. Why are automata a good choice?
    4. Why create software to design and produce automata?
      1. Reduce barriers to entry
      2. Make mechanical reasoning more explicit
      3. What can software do that other kinds of tools can't?
    5. Research Question
    6. Research Approach
      1. How might we enhance or accelerate acquisition of these skills?
    7. Reader's Guide and Road Map
  2. Mechanical and Spatial Thinking: Concepts
    1. Some Definitions
      1. Mechanical Reasoning
      2. Spatial Cognition
    2. Cognitive Models
    3. Core Abilities
    4. Summary
  3. Mechanical and Spatial Thinking: Tools
    1. Design Software for Children
      1. LEGO Creator
      2. LEGOCad Inspired Software
      3. The Incredible Machine
    2. Design and Simulation Software for Adults
      1. AutoCAD
      2. Working Model
      3. Assembly/Disassembly Systems
    3. Physical Design Tools
    4. Construction Kits
      1. LEGO Bricks
      2. Kinex
    5. Automata Software and Kits
      1. Cabaret Mechanical Theatre
      2. Flying Pig
      3. MouseWorks
    6. Summary
  4. Automata as a Domain for Exploring Mechanical Reasoning and Spatial Cognition
    1. A Brief History of Automata
      1. Automata in Antiquity
      2. Automata in the Middle Ages
      3. Automata in the Rennaisaince
      4. Contemporary Automata
    2. What Makes the Design and Construction of Automata an Appropriate Task?
      1. Automata Tell a Story
      2. Separation of Story and Mechanism
    3. The Elements of an Automaton's Mechanism
      1. Mechanical Components
      2. Mechanical Assemblies
      3. Constraints of the Domain
    4. Two Examples
      1. Automaton One
      2. Automaton Two
    5. Related Domains
      1. What Automata are Not
    6. Automata in Education
    7. Summary
  5. The MachineShop System
    1. The MachineShop System
      1. Designing Mechanisms
      2. Exploring Movement
      3. Browsing Libraries of Components and Mechanisms
      4. Component Editors
      5. File Types and Usage
    2. Output Devices
      1. The Landscape of Computer Controlled Machine Tools
      2. The VersaLaser
    3. Ancillary Materials
      1. Example Automata and Movements
      2. Kits and Instructions
      3. Videos
      4. Posters
      5. Exercises
    4. An Example Use of the System
    5. Summary
  6. Experiments and Assessment
    1. The Experimental Method
      1. The Users
      2. The Experimental Procedures
      3. Assessment
    2. Results
      1. Mechanical Reasoning
      2. Spatial Cognition
      3. Domain Knowledge
      4. Unexpected Results
    3. Sample Work Produced
    4. Discussion
    5. Summary
  7. Conclusions and Contributions
    1. Core Contributions
      1. MachineShop
      2. A Design Process for Creating Automata
      3. A System for Using Novel Output Devices
      4. Meta-design Principles
      5. An Analysis of Cognitive Theories of Mechanical Reasoning
      6. A Tool for Conducting Studies of Mechanical Reasoning
    2. Summary
  8. Future Work
    1. MachineShop Enhancememts and Additions
    2. Computation, Construction, and Learning
    3. Early Engineering Education
    4. Meta-design
    5. Summary