Investigating the relationship between VEX robotics and student self-efficacy: an initial look

Educational Robotics: Platforms, Competitions and Expected Learning Outcomes

“…• LO2: Self-efficacy Self-efficacy is considered to be among the guiding factors of human activity since it allows a person to estimates what he can accomplish with his skills in a particular task [89]. By studying the relationship between self-efficacy and educational robotics as an instructional approach, Stewardson et al [37] designed research that used robotics and game design to develop middle school students' computational thinking strategies. Their participants were one hundred and twentyfour students that used LEGO EV3 robotics and created games using Scalable Game Design software.…”

“…For example, in 2017, 584 teams participated in the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) in Germany, comparing to 32 teams who participated five years earlier [36]. In the same year, 18,000 teams from 40 countries competed in virus robotics challenges during the VEX competition [37]. Each competition has unique features with a variety of activities.…”

“…ER competitions as a goal-oriented approach to teaching, impact education on various levels [11], [31], [43], [44]. Most of the competitions primary goal is to promote students' interest in STEAM domains and increase their likelihood of considering STEAM professions later in life [45], [37], [46], [47]. As preparing future STEAM professionals has become a growing concern for educators and researchers, robotics competitions are integrated into classrooms as an educational activity or as a part of the curricula [48], [49], [50], [51].…”

Development of the Self-efficacy Beliefs of Engineering Undergraduates Preparing for an International Contest

“…Recently, engineering contests are identified as a good vehicle to better engage professional societies with engineering undergraduates (Furse, 2019). However, little has been done to understand how students keep their perseverance and what can boost their performance in this challenging context (Stewardson et al, 2019). Performance and perseverance while preparing for contests appear to depend on students' beliefs in the ability of themselves and team members to achieve desired outcomes (Ahlgren & Verner, 2009;Furse, 2019).…”

Analysis of Online Robotics Challenge Submissions - Fundamental

“…Additionally, online and in person robotics challenges encourage students to think for themselves and come up with their own ideas in the absence of the step-by-step instructions often provided in classroom settings. Above all else, the literature indicates that robotics competitions provide students with exposure to STEM fields and help increase their likelihood of pursuing a career in STEM [5,6].…”