Empowering Student with Drone: A DDR Approach to Expanding the Physics Body of Knowledge and Enhancing Stem Education

Abstract

This study investigates the integration of drone technology into the Malaysian secondary school physics curriculum using a Design and Development Research (DDR) approach to enhance student engagement and proficiency in STEM subjects. Traditional teaching methods often fail to engage students with fundamental physics concepts, resulting in disinterest and difficulty in understanding. Drone technology offers a practical, interactive learning platform that aligns with STEM goals, fostering problem-solving skills, creativity and a deeper understanding of physics principles. The study's primary aim is to develop a comprehensive body of knowledge (BOK) for drone technology in physics that tailored to Malaysian secondary schools. This involves assessing teacher needs, identifying key physics concepts related to drone technology and evaluating the BOK's effectiveness and usability. The research is conducted in three phases: needs assessment, design and development and evaluation. The needs assessment phase involves semi-structured interviews with teachers to identify challenges and expectations regarding drone technology in physics education. The design and development phase uses the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to prioritize key BOK components and the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) refines and validates the content through expert feedback. The evaluation phase surveys teachers and students to assess the BOK's usability, engagement and impact on teaching and learning. Essential physics concepts identified include aerodynamics, energy and power, kinematics and dynamics, electromagnetism and control systems. Integrating drones into physics education can enhance student engagement and comprehension by making abstract concepts more tangible and relatable. However, challenges such as resource constraints, teacher readiness and curriculum alignment must be addressed. The study concludes that drone technology can significantly transform physics education, promoting contextual and interdisciplinary learning and preparing students for future technological challenges by bridging theoretical knowledge and practical problem-solving.