Applying a design approach to robotics in education

Abstract

The integration of robots into classroom settings has a long-established presence in both general and vocational education. With the developments in Industry 4.0, the importance of robotics in schools has also increased, which has become clear through various funding programmes. Especially in general education, there is often a focus on utilising robots as a tool to provide learners with an interactive learning experience centred around feedback. This approach effectively connects theoretical concepts from the curriculum to practical real-world applications through the utilisation of robots. However, the emphasis often overlooks the robots themselves and their design elements. It is important to note that the possibility for learners to design robots for self-set goals is often limited by this traditional approach. This article introduces a methodological approach that promotes a design-oriented perspective within robotics in education. In addition to outlining the methodology, the article also presents initial examples on the implementation of this design-oriented approach in training future technology teachers.