Abstract:

Educational robotics can be integrated in the classroom as knowledge modeling tools (Jonassen, 2003) because they support the design of a model that could be tested in a physical environment. The pedagogical potential of educational robotics for knowledge modeling is based on the combination of constructivism (Piaget, 1974) and constructionism approaches (Alimisis, 2013; Kafai & Resnick, 1996; Papert, 1986) engaged in the modelling, programming and evaluation tasks in project-oriented robotics. In this type of educational robotic activities, the learner is engaged on the constructionism task of modeling and assembling construction bricks and robotic modular components (including sensors, motors, and batteries) and autonomous and programmable thinking bricks. This constructionism-oriented task is enhanced by the programming tools which could execute a program to control the physical robotic bricks acting as robotic actuators. Educational robotics permits to explore, design, model, program, construct and test unitary knowledge concepts (motion, force, traction…) but also more complex and realistic systems which requires to combine different concepts and methodologies from different disciplines (e.g. cooperative double-robot construction and programming for achieving a joint objective). Educational robotics can support individual and collaborative learning activities (Reverd, 2016) and be aligned with different curriculum objectives (Dupont, Sauvé and Touchette, 2010) and competences. This presentation introduces two type of educational learning activities supported by the LEGO WeDo 2.0 robotic kit. Firstly, an engineering oriented activity engaging participants in exploring the building structures characteristics that could better resist to a simulated earthquake created by using a variable for changing the power-level of the motor and move the building structures with an increasing power. Secondly, an open project aiming to engage the participants to represent the behaviours of different predators and their prey. A discussion on the curriculum integration opportunities of the LEGO WeDo 2.0 robotic kit will conclude the presentation and engage the audience in imagining new co-creative project-oriented robotic activities aiming to solve real or realistic challenges.

Keywords:

Educational robotics, creativity, collaborative learning, project oriented learning, game based learning.