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Robotics and Science Literacy: Thinking Skills, Science Process Skills and Systems Understanding
- Source :
-
Journal of Research in Science Teaching . Mar 2008 45(3):373-394. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- This paper reports the results of a study of the relationship of robotics activity to the use of science literacy skills and the development of systems understanding in middle school students. Twenty-six 11-12-year-olds (22 males and 4 females) attending an intensive robotics course offered at a summer camp for academically advanced students participated in the research. This study analyzes how students utilized thinking skills and science process skills characteristic of scientifically literate individuals to solve a robotics challenge. In addition, a pre/post test revealed that course participants increased their systems understanding, t (21) = 22.47, p less than 0.05. It is argued that the affordances of the robotics environment coupled with a pedagogical approach emphasizing open-ended, extended inquiry prompts the utilization of science literacy-based thinking and science process skills and leads to increased systems understanding. (Contains 2 figures, 3 tables and 1 note.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0022-4308
- Volume :
- 45
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- ERIC
- Journal :
- Journal of Research in Science Teaching
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- EJ787717
- Document Type :
- Journal Articles<br />Reports - Evaluative
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20238