Appropriateness of a New Programmable Robotics Kit – Preliminary Results (Discussion Paper)

摘要

This work aims to contribute to a newly emerging theory that addresses the development of a complex system for evaluating the suitability of robotics kits and robots for teaching programming in Slovakia. It is an iterative process consisting of several phases. In this paper, we present the results of the first phase, which involved working with the LEGO SPIKE Prime robotics kit and lower secondary students. These preliminary results will be verified and adjusted in the next phases. By repeatedly implementing different robotics kits in different grades of primary and secondary schools, taking into account the specifics of our educational system, as well as the cognitive level of students of different grades, we aim to come up with a theory that would help teachers to assess the adequacy of robotics kits. We are aware of the wide range of aspects that can play an important role in this process. For this reason, we have chosen a qualitative research design - a case study that identifies areas or criteria related to the application of the new construction kit in teaching programming. By analyzing qualitative data from artifacts, collecting field notes, and conducting dialogic interviews, we can better understand the appropriateness of tasks and determine their level of difficulty more accurately. Our preliminary results point to the following key areas: Cognitive difficulty, Model construction, Engagement, Creativity, and Discovering, from which we can determine the overall time adequacy of the robotic activity.