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Developing Extended Real and Virtual Robotics Enhancement Classes with Years 10–13

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Robotics in Education

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 457))

Abstract

There is growing evidence of the potential of educational robotics to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics education provided that they are deployed carefully. This paper describes a developmental research project between a university and a secondary school in the UK to develop extended robotics enhancement classes, mainly using LEGO MINDSTORMS robotic kits, and GeoGebra, which was used to animate virtual robots. Two styles of class were deployed: student-led project creations and facilitator-led challenges. The pedagogical principles underpinning these classes and their design are discussed. Feedback generally indicated that the classes were successful and appreciated by the students but they experienced difficulties in incorporating the virtual robotic element. Lessons learnt from the project, including the development of employability skills, the potential impact on students with autism, and the effective use of peer students, are discussed. The possibility of combining the two styles of class together is proposed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Academic Success, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK

    Peter Samuels

  2. Lawrence Sheriff School, Rugby, UK

    Sheila Poppa

Authors
  1. Peter Samuels
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  2. Sheila Poppa
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Correspondence to Peter Samuels .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. (PRIA), Practical Robotics Institute Austria (PRIA), Vienna, Austria

    Munir Merdan

  2. Practical Robotics Institute Austria , Vienna, Austria

    Wilfried Lepuschitz

  3. Practical Robotics Institute Austria , Vienna, Austria

    Gottfried Koppensteiner

  4. URPI FEI STU , Bratislava, Slovakia

    Richard Balogh

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© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Samuels, P., Poppa, S. (2017). Developing Extended Real and Virtual Robotics Enhancement Classes with Years 10–13. In: Merdan, M., Lepuschitz, W., Koppensteiner, G., Balogh, R. (eds) Robotics in Education. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 457. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42975-5_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42975-5_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-42974-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-42975-5

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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