The practical application of LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robotics kits: does it enhance undergraduate computing students' engagement in learning the Java programming language?

Ethan Tsang; Collette Gavan; Mark Anderson

doi:10.1145/2656450.2656454

The practical application of LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robotics kits: does it enhance undergraduate computing students' engagement in learning the Java programming language?

Ethan Tsang, Collette Gavan, Mark Anderson

Computer Science

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This research investigates the extent to which the practical application of robotics affects undergraduate computing students' engagement in learning the Java programming language. Current literature suggests that the practical application of objects enables students to engage and understand concepts within engineering, robotics and computing disciplines easier than purely theoretical teaching methods. This research measures student engagement based on affective, behavioural, cognitive and performance engagement factors. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were exercised in order to explore the reasons that student engagement is affected. The findings suggest that the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robotics are positively engaging students to learn the Java programming language at an undergraduate level. Negative aspects, of limitations and non-participation, may be explained through external factors including the structure of the module and peer and social pressure.

Original language	English
Pages	121-126
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/2656450.2656454
Publication status	Published - 15 Oct 2014
Event	SIGITE Annual Conference on Information Technology Education - Atlanta, United States Duration: 15 Oct 2014 → 18 Oct 2014

Conference

Conference	SIGITE Annual Conference on Information Technology Education
Country/Territory	United States
City	Atlanta
Period	15/10/14 → 18/10/14

Access to Document

10.1145/2656450.2656454

http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2656450.2656454&coll=DL&dl=GUIDE&CFID=458432755&CFTOKEN=40556266

Cite this

@conference{d7347b5eeca14faca6e75ee8779b3f2e,

title = "The practical application of LEGO{\textregistered} MINDSTORMS{\textregistered} robotics kits: does it enhance undergraduate computing students' engagement in learning the Java programming language?",

abstract = "This research investigates the extent to which the practical application of robotics affects undergraduate computing students' engagement in learning the Java programming language. Current literature suggests that the practical application of objects enables students to engage and understand concepts within engineering, robotics and computing disciplines easier than purely theoretical teaching methods. This research measures student engagement based on affective, behavioural, cognitive and performance engagement factors. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were exercised in order to explore the reasons that student engagement is affected. The findings suggest that the LEGO{\textregistered} MINDSTORMS{\textregistered} robotics are positively engaging students to learn the Java programming language at an undergraduate level. Negative aspects, of limitations and non-participation, may be explained through external factors including the structure of the module and peer and social pressure.",

author = "Ethan Tsang and Collette Gavan and Mark Anderson",

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(2010) 'The relation of epistemological beliefs and mathematics achievement: the mediating role of achievement goals, mathematics self-efficacy, and cognitive engagement' Procedia -- Social and Behavioural Services. 5. pp. 791 -- 797. 40 Akiva, T., Cortina, K. S., Eccles, J. S. & Smith, C. (2013) 'Youth belonging and cognitive engagement in organized activities: A large-scale field study' Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology. 34 (5). pp. 208 -- 218. 41 Font, S. & Maguire-Jack, K. (2013) 'Academic engagement and performance: Estimating the impact of out-of-home care for maltreated children' Children and Youth Services Review. 53 (5). pp. 856 -- 864.; SIGITE Annual Conference on Information Technology Education ; Conference date: 15-10-2014 Through 18-10-2014",

year = "2014",

month = oct,

day = "15",

doi = "10.1145/2656450.2656454",

language = "English",

pages = "121--126",

}