Abstract:

The technology and technique are deeply implemented in everyday life. The technology development influences the overall quality of the society as well. Although almost every person has the latest technical means and can handle digital technologies, there is still a lack of technically educated people. The deficiency of technical literacy and technical creativity is manifested by the scarcity of technical experts caused by reluctance and insufficient interest of students to study technical disciplines. Experts have confirmed that the problem needs to be solved from primary education through the development of technical literacy and technical creativity. The case study describes the possibilities of the development of technical literacy and technical creativity in primary schools, which is also the scope of this paper. The main principle of developing the technical literacy and creativity is based on use of the construction kits. The kits mentioned in the paper develops not only the technical creativity but they support development of thinking also in the fields of science, ICT and mathematics. Moreover, the paper presents the results of a research investigating change of pupils' attitudes towards technical disciplines. The task was given to primary school pupils from the sixth grade. They had to construct a model of a robotic hand from the Fischertechnik Robotic kit. The pupils worked in three-member groups. The qualitative research has identified pupils' ability to work according to the instructions manual, their ability to work in a team, their creative skills. The difference between girls and boys was investigated as well. The quantitative research has monitored the quality of the resulting model. The questionnaire survey outlined the pupils' interest in creative activity, satisfaction from creative activities and interest for further creative activities. The study has demonstrated that activity with a construction kit is interesting for pupils. Pupils were satisfied with creative activities. Pupils demanded continuation and were interested in creation of more complex technical models. Some pupils were motivated to create their own models without any instructions. The results of the research are discussed in the paper in detail. The results of the presented research confirm that pupils' technical literacy and technical creativity can be supported by the use of a construction kit during technical education.

Keywords:

Technical literacy, technical creativity, construction kits, primary education.