융합디자인을 위한 창의성 교육 프로그램 개발

For a long time, the problem-solving process undergone in playing with engineering-related toys has been seen as an effective way to develop logical and creative thinking in children. The object of this paper is to develop and propose an educational program using a tool to acquire mechanical and electronic engineering knowledge more easily and quickly and to support creative convergence design activities during play. This paper researches the development of a new type of educational automaton—a cardboard prototyping tool with mechanical and electronic functions—and its application in an engineering-design convergence education program. The new educational automaton is not only a prototyping tool but also a logical and creative thinking and learning tool based on practical, basic engineering knowledge. The educational program using the automaton benefits and becomes more interesting from its incorporation. The program is divided into nine activities by degree of difficulty and learners' involvement. Learners acquire engineering knowledge while making various prototypes. This creative education program will accelerate convergence between design and engineering disciplines by increasing student abilities in both logical thinking and aesthetic modeling.