What the study found
The study found that the DENEYAP Technology Workshops program was described as successful when leaders’ and instructional teams’ visions aligned and when the program had a strong techno-philosophy, meaning a clear view of how technology should be understood and taught. It also found that the program fostered learners’ interest and competence in techno-scientific thinking skills.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that nonformal learning can play a critical role in preparing the next generation for a technology-driven future. They suggest this happens through technology and design education grounded in a strong and rigorous techno-philosophical and techno-pedagogical design, meaning careful thinking about both the philosophy of technology and how it is taught.
What the researchers tested
This was a mixed-methods study of the DENEYAP Technology Workshops program, launched in 2017 by the T3 Foundation for 4th- to 9th-grade students. The researchers interviewed founders and program developers, analyzed lesson plans, and observed classrooms to examine the program’s curriculum and instructional methods.
What worked and what didn't
The findings indicate that collaboration with official and unofficial institutions brought important benefits, and that the empathizing stage of the design cycle, meaning the needs-analysis stage, was especially important. The study also identified areas for improvement: ongoing trainer professional development, infrastructure and material provision, and quality assurance in assessment practices, described here as the test stage of the design cycle.
What to keep in mind
The summary does not describe numerical outcome measures or comparative tests across different programs. The abstract also does not provide detailed limitations beyond noting areas that need improvement.
Key points
- The program was linked to learners’ interest and competence in techno-scientific thinking skills.
- Alignment between leaders’ and instructional teams’ visions was associated with success.
- The empathizing, or needs-analysis, stage in the design cycle was described as crucial.
- Collaboration with official and unofficial institutions was said to provide important benefits.
- The abstract notes needs for stronger trainer development, infrastructure, and assessment quality assurance.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- DENEYAP workshops linked strong techno-philosophy with learner gains
- Authors:
- Mehmet Akın Bulut, Merve Kocoglu, Fatma Rüveyda Baş, Oksana Gülünay, Bengi Birgili
- Institutions:
- Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul Foundation for Research and Education, Istanbul Foundation for Research and Education, Istanbul Foundation for Research and Education, MEF University
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-04
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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