Robotics in Education: Examining Information Technology Teachers’ Views

Abstract

This study examining the robotic codings and robotic tournaments from the perspectives of Information Technology (IT) teachers was carried out using the qualitative case study method. In the study, a total of 20 teachers from private schools and state schools were asked for their views. The research data collected from the IT teachers helped determine the advantages and limitations of robotic coding and robotic tournaments. The results revealed that the IT teachers generally reported positive views about robotic coding and robotic tournaments. In addition, the teachers reported that robotic coding activities arose the students’ curiosity and attention. As for the negative aspects, the teachers thought that students had to perform the tasks in a very limited time; that there was no equality between the materials owned; that the environment was encouraging; that the juries did not act objectively during the scoring phase; and that the tournaments served for corporate advertising. Consequently, it was found that the students achieved active learning with the help of the robotic coding trainings and tournaments, which increased their motivations.