Research Trends and Features of Robotics Studies in Educational Technology and STEM Education: Data Mining on ERIC Sample [SCHOLARLY ARTICLE - Sakarya University Journal of Education, December 2022]

Title:

Research Trends and Features of Robotics Studies in Educational Technology and STEM Education: Data Mining on ERIC Sample 

Author:

Emre Çam

 

Published:

Sakarya University Journal of Education, 12(3), 15 December 2022

https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/2704572

 

Abstract:

In this study, publications in ERIC about Robotics, Educational Technology in Robotics (ET-in-Robotics), and STEM in Robotics (STEM-in-Robotics) have been reached through data mining. The reached studies were analyzed in terms of their release year, titles, abstracts, and ERIC descriptions. In this process, it aimed to put forward its research trends and features. The analysis of the 1339 publications that were published between 01/01/1973 and 31/12/2021 and available in ERIC has been made by using several Python libraries. These analyses are presented in the form of tables and word clouds. The results showed that the number of publications available in ERIC was the highest between 2017 and 2021. Also, in the last five years, the number of publications available on Robotics in ERIC has gradually increased. In addition, the words "learning", "robotics", and "technology" are important for all three topics whereas the words “child”, "science", “programming” and "teacher" for ET-in-Robotics, and the words "school" and "engineering" for STEM-in-Robotics come to the fore. Moreover, the most frequently assigned descriptor by ERIC staff to these publications has been found to be "teaching methods". When evaluated in general, in the STEM-in-Robotics field, more specific topics were focused, and robotic activities are taken as a type of instructional technology while in the ET-in-Robotics field robotic activities were taken as a type of educational technology. As a result, a publication that will serve as a guide for new research in the field of robotics has been presented.

 

Disrupted Lessons in Engineering Robotics: Pivoting Knowledge Transfer From Physical to Virtual Learning Environments [Scholarly Article - Journal of Science Education and Technology, June 2022]

Title:

Disrupted Lessons in Engineering Robotics: Pivoting Knowledge Transfer From Physical to Virtual Learning Environments

 

Authors:

Tanya Chichekian, Department of Pedagogy, Université de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke - Longueuil Campus, Sherbrooke, Canada

Joel Trudeau, Department of Physics, Dawson College, Montreal, Canada

&

Tawfiq Jawhar, Department of Computer Science (MSc in Progress), Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

 

Published:

Journal of Science Education and Technology, 9 June 2022

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10956-022-09973-0

 

Abstract:

This study examined the effects of an Arduino microrobot activity on college students’ interest in robotics through three specific objectives: (1) determining how students’ conceptual understanding regarding the basics of microcomputing and computer programming changes after engaging in an engineering robotics learning module, (2) assessing the impact of these changes on students’ sense of competence in engineering robotics, and (3) explaining the role of students’ perceived knowledge transferability in the relationship between their sense of competence and changes in their interest for pursuing engineering robotics. Participants (n = 58) were recruited from two Engineering Physics courses and surveyed before (Time 1) and after (Time 2) an Arduino microcomputing learning activity. First, significant increases were reported post-activity for interest in robotics, as well as conceptual understanding of microelectronics and computer programming. Second, changes in the understanding of computer programming significantly predicted students’ sense of competence at Time 2. Finally, high and low levels of competence and perceived knowledge transferability were related to changes in students’ interest in robotics. Moreover, high levels of perceived knowledge transferability alone played an important role in students’ interest in robotics. Transferring complex engineering ideas to novel situations was beneficial regarding students’ learning gains associated with computer programming and with the Arduino microcontroller platform. An overview of the virtual lab architecture used is provided with suggested novel directions for teaching college-level courses about engineering robotics.

JAPAN - High demand for STEM degrees raises concern for humanities [University World News, 2022]

Title:

High demand for STEM degrees raises concern for humanities 

 

Author:

Suvendrini Kakuchi  

 

Published:

University World News, 21 April 2022

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20220421144951527

 

From the article:

In June last year Midori Koya, aged 24, changed from graduate studies in history at a prestigious private university in Japan to digital marketing, saying it would help her gain a better-paying job. “A doctorate in history, my ultimate goal, is basically limiting my job prospects,” she said.

 

Enhanced Robots as Tools for Assisting Agricultural Engineering Students’ Development [Scholarly Article - Electronics, 2022]

Title:

Agricultural Engineering Students’ Development 

 

Authors:

Dimitrios Loukatos, Maria Kondoyanni, Ioannis-Vasileios Kyrtopoulos & Konstantinos G. Arvanitis

 

Published:

Electronics, 1 March 2022

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/11/5/755

 

Abstract:

Inevitably, the rapid growth of the electronics industry and the wide availability of tailored programming tools and support are accelerating the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. The latter transformation seems to foster the hopes for tackling the depletion and degradation of natural resources and increasing productivity in order to cover the needs of Earth’s continuously growing population. Consequently, people getting involved with modern agriculture, from farmers to students, should become familiar with and be able to use and improve the innovative systems making the scene. At this point, the contribution of the STEM educational practices in demystifying new areas, especially in primary and secondary education, is remarkable and thus welcome, but things become quite uncertain when trying to discover efficient practices for higher education, and students of agricultural engineering are not an exception. Indeed, university students are not all newcomers to STEM and ask for real-world experiences that better prepare them for their professional careers. Trying to bridge the gap, this work highlights good practices during the various implementation stages of electric robotic ground vehicles that can serve realistic agricultural tasks. Several innovative parts, such as credit card-sized systems, AI-capable modules, smartphones, GPS, solar panels, and network transceivers are properly combined with electromechanical components and recycled materials to deliver technically and educationally meaningful results.

University of Bath, UK - Greater scientific expertise needed in Parliament to improve decision-making

Title: 

Greater scientific expertise needed in Parliament to improve decision-making 

 

Published:

University of Bath, Press Release, 18 August 2021 [updated 19 August 2021] 

https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/greater-scientific-expertise-needed-in-parliament-to-improve-decision-making/

From the press release:

A new academic study finds that an over-representation of MPs with social sciences backgrounds limits debate on STEM topics.

 

Insights from training a blind student in biological sciences by R Tekane & M Potgieter [Scholarly Article - South African Journal of Science, 2021]

Title:

Insights from training a blind student in biological sciences

 

Authors:

Rethabile Tekane, Department of Chemistry, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Marietjie Potgieter, Department of Chemistry, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Published:

South African Journal of Science, 2021

https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8607

Abstract:

Higher education institutions have a constitutional obligation to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities. Although the teaching and learning of students with blindness and low vision in STEM disciplines are well documented abroad, to date, there are no published studies in South Africa on successful teaching and learning strategies for students with blindness and low vision in STEM fields, specifically in science disciplines. Therefore, in this paper, we report on how teaching, learning, and assessment were adapted to make science disciplines accessible to John, a blind student enrolled in a biological sciences degree at a research-intensive university in South Africa. Several factors contributed towards the successful completion of John’s bachelor’s degree. These factors include the availability of tutors who committed a large amount of time to help John understand content presented in lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions; a well-resourced and effective Disability Unit; lecturers who ensured that John was well accommodated in lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions; and, finally, John’s commitment and dedication towards learning.

Scholarly Article (JITE:IIP, 2020) - Incorporating Kinesthetic Learning into University Classrooms: An Example from Management Information Systems

Title:

Incorporating Kinesthetic Learning into University Classrooms: An Example from Management Information Systems

 

Author:

Christopher B. Califf

 

Published:

Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice, Volume 19, pp. 031-045 (2020)

https://doi.org/10.28945/4527

 

From the abstract:

Aim/Purpose: 

Students tend to learn best when an array of learning styles is used by instructors. The purpose of this paper is to add, to introduce, and to apply the concepts of kinesthetic learning and learning structures to university and STEM education.

Background:

The study applies the concept of kinesthetic learning and a learning structure called Think-Pair-Share to an experiential exercise about Moore’s Law in an introductory MIS classroom. The paper details the exercise and each of its components.