Publication

Using Robotics and Game Design to Enhance Children’s Self-Efficacy, STEM Attitudes, and Computational Thinking Skills

Description

This paper describes the findings of a pilot study that used robotics and game design to develop middle school students’ computational thinking strategies. One hundred and twenty-four students engaged in LEGO® EV3 robotics and created games using Scalable Game Design software. The results of the study revealed students’ pre–post self-efficacy scores on the construct of computer use declined significantly, while the constructs of videogaming and computer gaming remained unchanged. When these constructs were analyzed by type of learning environment, self-efficacy on videogaming increased significantly in the combined robotics/gaming environment compared with the gaming-only context. Student attitudes toward STEM, however, did not change significantly as a result of the study. Finally, children’s computational thinking (CT) strategies varied by method of instruction as students who participated in holistic game development (i.e., Project First) had higher CT ratings. This study contributes to the STEM education literature on the use of robotics and game design to influence self-efficacy in technology and CT, while informing the research team about the adaptations needed to ensure project fidelity during the remaining years of the study.

This article is part of the Journal of Science Education and Technology Special Issue - Stories from ITEST: Inspiring Young People to Pursue STEM Careers

Publications

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PUBLICATION DETAILS

Type
Article
Author
Jacqueline Leonard
Alan Buss
R. Gamboa
Monica Mitchell
Olatokunbo S. Fashola
Tarcia Hubert
Sultan Almughyirah
Publisher
Journal of Science Education and Technology
Topic(s)
Computational Thinking
Cultural Relevance, Equity, and Diversity
Youth Motivation and Interests in STEM
File Attachment(s)
Publication Year
2016
Discipline(s)
Computer and informational technology science
Engineering
Additional Disciplines
Computer Science - general
Computer Science - gaming and simulations
Computer Science - general skills and mathematics
Engineering - general
Engineering - robotics