Education on Programming with Robots: Examining Students’ Experiences and Views

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the success and views of students receiving education on programming with robots. In the study, which was carried out with the mixed research method, the data were collected via a creative problem-solving test, applied performance evaluation test for programming with robots, a semi-structured interview form. The creative problem-solving skills test was taken from PISA 2012 conducted by OECD. The study was carried out with 9 secondary school students. In the application process, first, the students were asked to fill in the creative problem-solving test. The creative problem-solving test included interactive simulations in online environment and questions regarding these simulations. Following this, the students were given education on programming with robots for one week. At the end of this education, a performance evaluation test regarding this education was given. Lastly, an interview form was used to determine the students’ views about the activity carried out. Consequently, depending on the results of the applied performance evaluation test, the education could be said to be beneficial. As a result of the correlation test conducted, a moderate level of positive significant relationship was found between the students’ creative problem-solving skills and their performance scores. When the students’ responses to the interview questions were examined, it was revealed that the students generally had positive attitudes and that the education given was motivating and entertaining and contributed to their learning of programming.