BACKGROUND

Students and Teachers 
Pui Ching School, which one of the famous schools in Macau. The school emphasis on artificial intelligence education. Their students have won various awards in different aspects.
Technology is one of their main focuses, they are the first who launched MatataStudio lesson
as the extra-curriculum in Macau school for their kindergarten students.

Objective

The aim of using MatataStudio robot is to support the areas in the curriculum (general skills, language and speech, mathematics, me and the environment, movement, music, art, robotics). Though teaching MatataStudio, students are expected to understand fundamental computational thinking skills at a very young age. The MatataStudio strives to provide innovative STEAM education solutions for educational institutions and families worldwide. A series of tangible coding products are developed by MatataStudio. In addition, to which, the creativity of children has been stimulated by learning MatataStudio Pro Set. With the help of MatataStudio, it is possible to diversify learning activities. Students are expected to learn programming through playful and manual activities. The robot can be programmed to draw various graphic elements, or their favorite music can also be composed with their creativity.

CHARACTERISTICS

OF STUDY

Different topics are designed according to the lively example

MatataStudio is merged into the kindergarten’s curriculum. Our participants are kindergarten students who came from Macau Pui Ching Middle School. There is a total of 20 students who join the class as extra-curricular activities.
At the beginning of every class, we will share a new story with them, which arouse their interest and make it easier to understand the content, such as, the symbols of each block. The symbol is converted the conceptual meaning into visual aid. By showing students vivid visualized graphic examples, they can easily understand the underline meaning of each representation.
After introducing the basic concept of the MatataStudio robot, students are ready and keen to practice what they have learned. Then, in the second part of the class, students are grouped in four to cooperate with each other in order to practice what has been taught. During the activity, 20- 25 minutes will be given to students to work on the tasks with their classmates. During this session, students are motivated and engaged in a positive effect. For example, first, they are provided a
good opportunity for exploration in a learning environment. The use of digital tools supports and activates children, arouses children ‘s interest. The robot can draw and play music which students like.
At the end of the session, students are not willing to stop. Students are enthusiastic about the MatataStudio and emotionally involved in the class, especially when we show them the musical coding part..

What skills did it develop?

Students are learning how to cooperate with their classmates, as they are all around 4 to 5 years old. They also learn how to solve the problem step by step by moving the robots, they learned basic coding skills and problem-solving skills

What worked best and what was challenging?

Classroom management is the most challenging part for the teacher during the group activities, as they are excited to play the MatataStudioPro set with their classmates.

The reaction after having the class of MatataStudio

The results are surprisingly incredible, students are excited to share stories with their parents after class, and even teach their parents how to play, which suggested that they have understood the knowledge thoroughly and have mastered it. They love the MatataStudio and want to play it well, especially when we show them the musical coding part. At the end of the class, students are not willing to leave.

Share your comments upon the class using MatataStudio

Our teacher is very enthusiastic about MatataStudio learning tools, as it is a block-based, screenless and tangible programming tool that allows students to control the robot through a different kind of map. It is approachable for kindergarten students and lower grade students; students enjoy the moment to create different ways to solve the problems.

During the training, students learned to work in teams, analyze various situations and quickly find the right solution. Children learned to understand instructions, work according to a plan, began to better navigate in space. Students got acquainted with the basic algorithmic constructions (following, repetition, condition), the conception of ANGLE and the properties of different geometrical figures.

What worked best and what was challenging?

Thanks to the attractive set-appearance of the MatataStudio PRO SET, children were constantly passionate about their studies. Sufficient amount of teaching material attached to the kit. The set provides a lot of opportunities for classes on various topics. It is grate that no needs in computers. It was difficult to put things in order in the box, the arrangement of programming blocks in the box seemed to me not convenient enough, irrational. I had to come up with my own ways of organizing to quickly find block.

How did students respond?

Throughout the course, the children showed great interest in the classes, came up with their own projects and implemented them at the end of each part of the training course.

Share your comments upon the class using MatataStudio

I find it a good advantage that it is possible to organize group activities with a large number of children using a small number of sets. And also high quality of the manufacture of the kit. The set will work for a long time. Of course, it’s great that there is no need for computers. Teacher can perfectly combine physical activity, mental and creative work in accordance with the principles of STEAM education. Recommendation: to come up with a more convenient box for storing parts, which could be used in the lesson as an organizer, and not transfer blocks to other containers.

Any others you would like to share

We are planning to launch classes for an older group of children using Scratch. We would like to take part in competitions, as well as organize an exhibition of matata-drawings.