Share Paper: Evaluating robotics activities as an approach to motivate future teachers to use and teach programming

  1. Alex Fegely, Coastal Carolina University, United States
  2. Cory Gleasman, Tennessee Tech University, United States

Abstract: Computer science concepts like programming are progressively being integrated into K-8 curricula (Google Inc. & Gallup Inc., 2016; Wilson et al., 2010). Principals and superintendents are frequently directing core subject teachers to integrate computer science concepts into their instruction (Google Inc. & Gallup Inc., 2016). However, research shows that teachers lack confidence and motivation in computer science due to their perceptions that computer science is difficult and abstract (Bower et al., 2017; Grover & Pea, 2013). Robotics have been used as physical manipulatives to make abstract concepts more concrete (Petre & Price, 2004) and motivate learners (Jaipal-Jamani & Angeli, 2017; ...