An Interactive STEAM Educational Approach via a Combination of Programming, Information & Communication Network and Arts: PICAPICA-Z

This study develops educational material focusing on the controlling illumination and message-handling with communication networks using programming in the context of STEAM education. The proposed material provides hands-on learning regarding the configuration of information and communication networks through the creation of interactive digital content using programming and art. The research question of this paper is that “can the learning about configuration of information and communication networks in the context of STEAM education be beneficial for students?” These materials are developed to support learning in junior high school technology and high school information studies using only one learning system, named the PICAPICA-Z. In the proposed educational material, the micro: bit is used as the main control device. By extending the Makecode, which is the programming environment for the micro: bit, we propose a smart learning environment that supports the understanding of interactive programming and information communication network architecture. The PICAPICA-Z is one of extended version of the original PICAPICA-project.