Pedagogical Uses of Thymio II: How Do Teachers Perceive Educational Robots in Formal Education?

Abstract

Robots have generated interest for use in schools since Seymour Papert's work; however, when his Logo turtles were introduced in the 1980s, they proved to be unreliable, expensive, and limited [1]. Since then, we have seen various affordable, reliable, and polyvalent platforms such as LEGO Mindstorms [1] or the Bee-Bot [2]. Robotics has become more appealing, and it is an established fact that educational robots can improve children?s motivation [3], [4]. Robotics also embodies a wide range of disciplines that allow its use in a broad educational area and in interdisciplinary studies. Its use in compulsory schools can bring technology to a larger audience that includes both genders.