The Substrate-Independence Theory: Advancing Constructor Theory to Scaffold Substrate Attributes for the Recursive Interaction between Knowledge and Information

The substrate-independence theory utilizes sensemaking techniques to provide cognitively based scaffolds that guide and structure learning. Scaffolds are cognitive abstractions of constraints that relate to information within a system. The substrate-independence theory concentrates on the flow of information as the underlying property of the host system. The substrate-independence theory views social systems as complex adaptive systems capable of repurposing their structure to combat external threats by utilizing constructors and substrates. Constructor theory is used to identify potential construction tasks, the legitimate input and output states that are possible, to map the desired change in the substrate’s attributes. Construction tasks can be mapped in advance for ordered and known environments. Construction tasks may also be mapped in either real-time or post hoc for unordered and complex environments using current sensemaking techniques. Mapping of the construction tasks in real-time becomes part of the landscape, and scaffolds are implemented to aid in achieving the desired state or move to a more manageable environment (e.g., from complex to complicated).

Workspace Analysis of a Mobile Manipulator with Obstacle Avoidance in 3D Printing Tasks

The knowledge of the workspace for a robotic system on construction sites represents an essential resource to ensure the work progress, guarantee the safety of the construction tasks, and avoid robot damage. Despite the dramatic development of 3D printing technologies with robotic systems in recent years, these are still several challenges to consider, such as the size of the printing profile and obstacles in the construction site. This work presents the results from evaluating the workspace of a mobile manipulator in 3D printing tasks on construction sites. The methodology analyses the printing workspace based on the workspace of the mobile manipulator, considering fixed obstacles and possible collisions between the robot and obstacles during 3D printing tasks. The results showed that the shape of the printing profile defined as a building element changes the shape of the printing workspace. Furthermore, the obstacles in the construction site and height variation of the printing profile cause changes in the displacement of the robotic platform and values of rotation of its joints, which also modify the shape of the printing workspace.

CONSTRUCTION TASKS AS A MEANS OF FORMING METHODS OF THINKING ACTIVITY

The article considers the essence of the concept of mental activity, analyzes the problem of human thinking, shows the role of building tasks in the formation of mental activity of secondary school students. The main feature of the construction tasks is that they develop search skills for solving problems, introduce them to feasible independent research, contribute to the development of geometric representations and the processing of knowledge, skills, thereby strengthening not only the applied orientation of geometry teaching, but also the polytechnic one. Construction tasks do not allow a formal approach to them, they create a problematic situation that needs to be solved, as a result of which the level of mental activity increases. Pedagogical experience shows that due to lack of time, teachers do not see the need to return to the construction tasks, and school textbooks pay little attention to the construction tasks, so elective classes and elective seminars on this topic are necessary. The optimal number of classes should be 10 hours, especially for grades 7-9. The authors tested their own methodology (ascertaining, forming and control stages) among students of the 7th grade of one of the schools in Uralsk.

Rethinking construction in preschool: discerning didactic strategies in Swedish preschool activities

Even though construction tasks have a long history as an activity in the Swedish preschool, technology as a content matter (e.g., construction) is relatively new. Hence, preschool teachers are generally unsure of the content of technology and how to handle it from a teaching perspective. Thus, there is need for deeper understanding of how construction tasks in preschool can be enacted and what kind of premises are offered to the children. To investigate this, we took our stance in activity theory and the concepts of mediating artifacts, rules and division of labour. This helped us discern what type of instructional practices that were enacted by preschool teachers when working with construction tasks. Activity theory in combination with thematic analysis helped us distinguish four general didactic actions that the teachers used to bring about the construction task—to engage, to guide, to coordinate, to show. These four strategies were then formulated into specific technology didactic actions through the perspectives of technology as product, process and concepts.

Working posture analysis of construction workers using ergonomics.

Ergonomics integrates knowledge from the human sciences to match jobs, systems, products, and environments to the physical and mental abilities and limitations of people. Most of the injuries, stresses and strains in construction industry occur due to over-exertion and repetitive work actions. Postural analysis can be a powerful technique for assessing work activities. Use of ergonomic principles reduces fatigue experienced by the human body in various tasks. Ergonomics deals with the study of internal and external stresses acting on the human body. The aim of this study is to assess the level of ergonomics in various tasks in the construction industry .The study also aims to find the level of musculoskeletal disorders in workers and suggest corrective measures for every task having high risk factor. The study is conducted by using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool of Ergofellow software, to assess the posture of workers in various construction tasks. Fatigue analysis is done by this method, which provides a scoring system for muscle activity caused by static, dynamic, rapid changing or unstable postures. Keywords: Ergonomics, REBA, Musculoskeletal Disorders.