Students' Attitudes and Motivation During Robotics Activities

Fatima Kaloti-Hallak, Michal Armoni, Mordechai Moti Ben-Ari

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

This work investigates students' attitudes towards and motivation for learning robotics and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The population consisted of middle-school students (ages 13-15 years) who participated in the FIRST (R) LEGO (R) League competition. The methodology used both qualitative and quantitative instruments: questionnaires, observations and interviews during the school year 2012-2013. Research continued with one group during 2013-2014. Four categories were investigated: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, self-determination and self-efficacy, as well as other environmental factors (gender, peers, parents and teachers). The results showed no significant difference between the beginning and end of the activities on all the categories. We consider this as a positive indicator, since most of the students demonstrated high and positive attitudes toward and motivation for learning robotics at the beginning of the activities and maintained the results after the activities. The environmental factors played an important role in positively influencing students' attitudes and motivation. In particular, females showed more positive attitudes and motivation at the end of the activities.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Workshop in Primary and Secondary Computing Education
EditorsJudith Gal-Ezer, Sue Sentence, Jan Vahrenhold
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Pages102-110
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9781450337533
ISBN (Print)978-1-4503-3753-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2015
EventThe 10th Workshop in Primary and Secondary Computing Education - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 9 Nov 201511 Nov 2015

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series
Volume09-11-November-2015

Conference

ConferenceThe 10th Workshop in Primary and Secondary Computing Education
Abbreviated titleWiPSCE 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period9/11/1511/11/15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Software
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
  • Computer Networks and Communications

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