Monica Munoz

Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Monica Munoz is a leading voice in the integration of STEM education and educational robotics, with a focused expertise on making computational thinking accessible through visual programming. Her most influential work demonstrates how platforms like Scratch can serve as powerful, cost-effective drivers for project-based learning (PBL) in STEM. Munoz’s research shows that by using visual block programming environments—which replace complex syntax with intuitive, object-based coding—students can more easily engage with programmable hardware and robotics. Her top-cited papers, including "STEM and Educational Robotics Using Scratch" and "Scratch as Driver to Foster Interests for STEM and Educational Robotics," each garnering 26 citations, have become foundational references for educators seeking to lower barriers to entry in robotics. In her 2020 work, "Visual block programming languages and their use in educational robotics," she further systematizes how these tools enhance student comprehension and participation. Through her contributions, Munoz has helped shape a pedagogical shift where robotics is no longer an elite discipline but an inclusive, hands-on gateway to STEM literacy for all learners.