Programming Standing Up: Embodied Computing with Constructionist Robotics

Abstract

IPRO (shown below) is a mobile, constructionist, virtual robotics programming environment designed to teach computational literacy. Students use a simplified programming language to control the behavior of a robot agent as it undertakes various collaborative and competitive tasks. Each student programs his/her own robots using a handheld device, and the robots compete on a shared stage. The project uses handhelds to encourage collaboration and embodied cognition through physical movement and the sharing of content while programming. The design is based on other robotics environments for teaching introductory programming in which there have been measurable learning gains (Berland, 2008; Martin, 2007; Wilensky & Stroup, 1999a). IPRO is structured as a participatory simulation in that students will participate in a constructionist shared space (see Wilensky & Stroup, 1999b). Figure 1- IPRO Circuit and Play Modes Constructionist programming tasks are especially well suited to this type of collaboration because they involve complex, concrete tasks with a strong connection of the conceptual and the technical. Students collaboratively refine their conceptual understanding by freely sharing their technical products. Our goal is that students in the project will approach programming as an active, physical task, and that they will be motivated to engage with the content as a result. The design of IPRO is focused on determining pathways to stronger understanding of programming content as well as to levels of increased motivation.