Circuit Construction Activity Contextualized in an Assistive Technology Project

This "Circuit Construction Activity" guides students through building basic circuits with a meaningful context: designing assistive technology for a client named Jordan, who has limited mobility and is nonverbal. Students begin by constructing a simple LED circuit on a breadboard, learning about components like resistors, LEDs, and power supplies, and then explore how reversing the LED or changing the resistor value impacts brightness. The activity progresses to building a status alert system using two LEDs—green for "OK" and red for "Need Help"—comparing series and parallel configurations to optimize visibility.
The core learning extends beyond basic circuitry to emphasize user-centered design. Students are challenged to incorporate a switch for accessibility, reflecting on how input methods impact usability for someone with limited mobility. Throughout the activity, students are prompted to consider Jordan’s needs, fostering an understanding of why it’s crucial to understand the end-user when designing technology and how to improve designs based on those needs. The final reflection encourages students to synthesize their learning and consider the broader implications of assistive technology design.