A C-based introductory course using robots

Cowden, David; O'Neill, April; Opavsky, Erik; Ustek, Duran; Walker, Henry M.

doi:10.1145/2157136.2157150

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Most research that has investigated the use of physical robotic tools has focused on Lego Mindstorm robots (Major et al, 2012a), which support a variety of sensors (such as light, sound and colour) and a range of actuators such as motors. Other physical robots have also been used to support the learning of programming including the Scribbler (Cowden et al, 2012), Arduino (Martin & Hughes, 2011) and Koala (Čermák & Kelemen, 2011) robots.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effectiveness of simulated robots for supporting the learning of introductory programming: a multi-case case study

Major

Kyriacou

Brereton

2014

Computer Science Education

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This work investigates the effectiveness of simulated robots as tools to support the learning of programming. After the completion of a Systematic Review and exploratory research a multi-case case study was undertaken. A simulator, named Kebot, was developed and used to run four ten-hour programming workshops. Twenty-three student participants (aged sixteen to eighteen) in addition to twenty-three pre-service, and three in-service, teachers took part. The effectiveness of this intervention was determined by considering opinions, attitudes and motivation as well as by analysing students' programming performance. Preand post-questionnaires, in-and postworkshop exercises and interviews were used. Participants enjoyed learning using the simulator and believed the approach to be valuable and engaging. The performance of students indicates that the simulator aids learning as most completed tasks to a satisfactory standard. Evidence suggests robot simulators can offer an effective means of introducing programming. Recommendations to support the development of other simulators are provided.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effectiveness of simulated robots for supporting the learning of introductory programming: a multi-case case study

Major

Kyriacou

Brereton

2014

Computer Science Education

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“…The following papers emphasize the importance of at least two items in learning and teaching: (a) the choosing of the relevant theory and model, educational methods, activities and environments and (b) an adequate level of student engagement in the process [FME01,Lub11,PPL10,Pea10,HLR11,CNO+12].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smart Education in CS: A Case Study

Štuikys

2015

Smart Learning Objects for Smart Education in Computer Science

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Today, computer science (CS) is regarded as a fundamental course (similarly to mathematics, physics, etc.), which is delivered in both universities and schools. Its importance has been recognized far ago because it is a source of the primary and fundamental knowledge needed for our lives and activities, which are highly penetrated by the use of computers, the Internet and other modern technologies. On the other hand, CS can be also seen as an interdisciplinary course, for example, with respect to its relation to robotics and e-learning domains. Furthermore, combining CS topics with the use of robots in learning adequately, it is possible to make a significant contribution to the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) paradigm, a new interdisciplinary approach to learning and teaching for the twenty-first century. Though we have not considered this paradigm explicitly so far, in fact, by introducing and combining two novel approaches, smart LOs and robot-based smart educational environments, we have paved a way for researching and studying the STEM approach too. But first, we need to show how smart LOs and smart educational environments interact among themselves and to approve this interaction in the real learning and teaching setting.Therefore, the aim of this chapter is summative. First, we aim at presenting the real teaching processes based on the use of smart LOs within smart educational environments. Next, we aim at extracting pedagogical and technological attributes and data for evaluating the introduced approach from the methodological, social and technological viewpoints. Finally, we aim at gaining stimuli and new knowledge for future research in CS learning and teaching.As it was done so far, we start with the analysis of the relevant literature.This chapter should be referenced and cited as follows: Vytautas Š tuikys and Renata Burbaitė.

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“…We have seen the growth in object-oriented curriculums and tools (BlueJ, Alice) [1,2], media computation [13], robotics [5], Processing and digital art [12], and finally a call for a return to basics [21]. For each of the innovative tools or techniques, various advocates have discussed their successes in the classroom and each has found a place in the pantheon of curriculums for the first year.…”

Section: First Year Computingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life's a game and the game of life

Decker

Lawley

2013

Proceeding of the 44th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education

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There is little argument that creating experiences for students that will increase student success and retention is a goal that is shared by anyone teaching courses. In computing courses, we have seen a lot of focused attention on the first year introductory courses as it has been shown that it is failure in these courses that drives students away from the discipline. In this paper we describe success we have had with first year students through the creation of achievement system for the undergraduate experience. Through the Just Press Play project and its associated achievements, we observed a significant shift in student behavior in relation to our first year students which lead to a greater level of student success in their first course.

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A C-based introductory course using robots

Cited by 8 publications

References 9 publications

The effectiveness of simulated robots for supporting the learning of introductory programming: a multi-case case study

The effectiveness of simulated robots for supporting the learning of introductory programming: a multi-case case study

Smart Education in CS: A Case Study

Life's a game and the game of life

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