DIGITAL
A DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION EXPERIENCE FOR ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION (RPA) EDUCATION WITH PYTHON IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON REGION
1 Universidade Federal do Amazonas (BRAZIL)
2 Instituto Federal do Amazonas - Pólo de Inovação (BRAZIL)
3 LG Electronics do Brasil Ltda (BRAZIL)
2 Instituto Federal do Amazonas - Pólo de Inovação (BRAZIL)
3 LG Electronics do Brasil Ltda (BRAZIL)
About this paper:
Appears in: EDULEARN26 Proceedings
Publication year: 2026
Article: 1822
ISBN: 978-84-09-88444-5
ISSN: 2340-1117
doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2026.1822
Publication year: 2026
Article: 1822
ISBN: 978-84-09-88444-5
ISSN: 2340-1117
doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2026.1822
Conference name: 18th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
Dates: 29 June-1 July, 2026
Location: Palma, Spain
Dates: 29 June-1 July, 2026
Location: Palma, Spain
Abstract:
Digital transformation has driven significant shifts in the demand for technological competencies within the labor market, particularly in industrial sectors adopting automation and software-based solutions. In this context, this paper presents an educational experience developed at the Federal Institute of Amazonas (IFAM) under the AX Academy – Digital Transformation program. The study focuses on teaching Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with Python to two cohorts of 22 computer science students in the Brazilian Amazon. Specifically, it analyzes the "Python to Automation + RPA Intro" module, a 160-hour curriculum covering fundamental process automation concepts and industry-standard Python libraries such as Selenium, Playwright, BeautifulSoup, Scrapy, and PyAutoGUI, applied to web and desktop automation.The methodology combined theoretical lectures, laboratory activities, and practical challenges based on real-world automation problems, utilizing an Active Learning approach through Problem-Based Learning (PBL). To evaluate competency development, a diagnostic pre-test was conducted before the activities, followed by a post-test upon completion. The assessment instruments were structured to measure conceptual knowledge of RPA, the ability to develop Python automation scripts, and skills in analyzing automatable processes.
Results indicated significant performance gains between the pre-test and post-test, demonstrating advanced mastery of automation concepts and Python-based RPA solutions. Furthermore, students showed an increased capacity to identify automation opportunities in corporate scenarios and to structure automated workflows for data extraction and manipulation. Beyond educational outcomes, this initiative strengthens the training of qualified human resources in digital transformation technologies in the Amazon, aligning academic education with the demands of the Industrial Pole of Manaus. Thus, the project demonstrates the potential of technological training programs to bridge the gap between academia and industry, promoting regional development through professional qualification in process automation and emerging technologies.