Educational robotics for teaching computer science in Africa - pilot study

Abstract

Educational robotics can play a key role in addressing some of the challenges faced by higher education institutions in Africa. A remaining and open question is related to effectiveness of activities involving educational robots for teaching but also for improving learner's experience. This paper addresses that question by evaluating a short pilot study which introduced students at the Department of Computer Science, University of Ghana to robot programming. The initial positive results from the study indicate a potential for such activities to enhance teaching experience and practice at African institutions. The proposed integrated set-up including robotic hardware, software and educational tasks was effective and will form a solid base for a future, full scale integration of robotic activities into the undergraduate curricula at this particular institution. This evaluation should be valuable to other educators integrating educational robots into undergraduate curricula in developing countries and elsewhere.