Visualization of program behaviors: Physical robots versus robot simulators

Cheng Chih Wu*, I. Chih Tseng, Shih Lung Huang

*Corresponding author for this work

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

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study compared the effects of using physical robots (LEGO Mindstorms) and robot simulators (LEGO Mindstorms Simulator, LMS) in teaching novice programming concepts. A quasi-experiment design was implemented in this study. Four classes of high school students, totaling 151 students, participated in the study. Two classes of 76 students used the physical robots to learn programming, whereas the other two classes of 75 students used LMS. The students' post-experiment achievement tests, replies on questionnaires, and focus group interview data were collected and analyzed. The findings of the study were: (1) no significant difference was found on students' performance between the physical robot group and the simulator group, (2) the physical robot group demonstrated more positive attitudes toward the learning activities, and (3) the physical robot group indicated that they could better imagine the program behaviors.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInformatics Education - Supporting Computational Thinking - Third International Conference on Informatics in Secondary Schools - Evolution and Perspectives, ISSEP 2008, Proceedings
Pages53-62
Number of pages10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Event3rd International Conference on Informatics in Secondary Schools - Evolution and Perspective, ISSEP 2008 - Torun, Poland
Duration: 2008 Jul 12008 Jul 4

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume5090 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Other

Other3rd International Conference on Informatics in Secondary Schools - Evolution and Perspective, ISSEP 2008
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityTorun
Period2008/07/012008/07/04

Keywords

  • LEGO Mindstorms
  • Programming
  • Robot
  • Simulator

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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