Abstract
Learning programming and robotics offers the opportunity to practice problem-solving, creativity, and team-work and it provides important competencies to train for the 21st century. However, programming can be challenging, and children may encounter difficulties in learning the syntax or using the coding environment. To address this issue, we have developed a methodology for teaching programming, design and robotics based on inquiry-based learning and hands-on oriented activities together with visual programming. We have applied and evaluated this new methodology within the extracurricular activity of an international elementary school in Barcelona. Our findings showed acquisition and learning of technical language, understanding of electronics devices, understanding the mapping of coding into action via the robot’s behavior. This suggests that our approach is a valid and effective teaching methodology for the instructional design of robotics and programming.
M. Blancas and C. Valero—These authors contributed equally to the study.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Chaudhary, V., Agrawal, V., Sureka, P., Sureka, A.: An experience report on teaching programming and computational thinking to elementary level children using lego robotics education kit. In: Proceedings - IEEE 8th International Conference on Technology for Education, T4E 2016, pp. 38–41 (2017)
Kalelioğlu, F.: A new way of teaching programming skills to K-12 students: Code.org. Comput. Hum. Behav. 52, 200–210 (2015)
Bers, M.U.: Coding as a Playground. Routledge, Abingdon (2017)
Petre, M., Price, B.: Using Robotics to Motivate ‘Back Door’ Learning. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht (2004)
Tanja, K., et al.: Generation NXT: building young engineers with LEGOs. IEEE Trans. Educ. 53(1), 80–87 (2010)
Varney, M.W., Janoudi, A., Aslam, D.M., Graham, D.: Building young engineers: TASEM for third graders in woodcreek magnet elementary school. IEEE Trans. Educ. 55, 78–82 (2012)
Kelleher, C., Pausch, R.: Lowering the barriers to programming: a survey of programming environments and languages for novice programmers. ACM Comput. Surv. (CSUR) 37(2), 83–137 (2003)
Cockburn, A., Bryant, A.: Leogo: an equal opportunity user interface for programming. J. Vis. Lang. Comput. 8(5–6), 601–619 (1997)
Wing, J.M.: Computational thinking and thinking about computing. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. A Math. Phys. Eng. Sci. 366(1881), 3717–3725 (2008)
Kazimoglu, C., Kiernan, M., Bacon, L., MacKinnon, L.: Understanding computational thinking before programming. Int. J. Game-Based Learn. 1(3), 30–52 (2011)
Smith, A.C.: Using magnets in physical blocks that behave as programming objects. In: Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Tangible Embedded Interaction - TEI 2007, p. 147 (2007)
Zhang, J.X., Liu, L., de Pablos, P.O., She, J.H.: The auxiliary role of information technology in teaching: enhancing programming course using alice. Int. J. Eng. Educ. 30(3), 560–565 (2014)
Radenski, A.: Freedom of choice as motivational factor for active learning. ACM SIGCSE Bull. 41(3), 21 (2009)
Guzdial, M.: Paving the way for computational thinking. Commun. ACM 51(8), 25 (2008)
Barker, B.S., Ansorge, J.: Robotics as means to increase achievement scores in an informal learning environment robotics as means to increase achievement scores in an informal learning environment. J. Res. Technol. Educ. 1523(June), 229–243 (2017)
Chambers, J., Carbonaro, M., Murray, H.: Developing conceptual understanding of mechanical advantage through the use of Lego robotic technology. Australas. J. Educ. Technol. 24(4), 387–401 (2008)
Karahoca, D., Karahoca, A., Uzunboylu, H.: Robotics teaching in primary school education by project based learning for supporting science and technology courses. Procedia Comput. Sci. 3, 1425–1431 (2011)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Blancas, M., Valero, C., Mura, A., Vouloutsi, V., Verschure, P.F.M.J. (2020). “CREA”: An Inquiry-Based Methodology to Teach Robotics to Children. In: Merdan, M., Lepuschitz, W., Koppensteiner, G., Balogh, R., Obdržálek, D. (eds) Robotics in Education. RiE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1023. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26945-6_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26945-6_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-26944-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-26945-6
eBook Packages: Intelligent Technologies and RoboticsIntelligent Technologies and Robotics (R0)