Evaluation of an Instructional Design for Developing Computational Thinking Skills Using Four-bar Linkage Bionic Robots

Abstract

In this study, we designed a learning activity to develop computational thinking skills and learn linkage mechanisms by assembling a bionic robot, and examined students' learning performance on the instructional design. In today's society, robots can be found everywhere serving human beings, which shows that robots play an important role in society and help people to solve repetitive tasks. There fore, understanding some mechanical principles will definitely be helpful. In order to understand them effectively, it is necessary to develop computational thinking skills. In this study, we designed a Quadruped bionic robot assembly kit using a 3D printed skeleton combined with Lego and DC motors. The purpose of this study is not only to attempt to build a bionic robot, but also to construct an instructional design for first-time learners of STEM and robotics that allows them to learn basic mechanical structures and develop CT skills at a minimal cost. The results showed significant growth in student learning outcomes, and most of the students developed CT skills while assembling their own bionic robots. © 2023, The Education University of Hong Kong. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

STEM Instructional design Computational thinking Bionic Robot Linkage Mechanism

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

Funding & Acknowledgements

National Science and Technology Council, NSTC

This study is supported in part by the National Science and Technology Council (previously known as Ministry of Science and Technology) of Taiwan, under MOST 108-2511-H-008 -016 -MY4.

Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, MOST

Grant: MOST 108-2511-H-008 -016 -MY4

This study is supported in part by the National Science and Technology Council (previously known as Ministry of Science and Technology) of Taiwan, under MOST 108-2511-H-008 -016 -MY4.

Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, MOST

This study is supported in part by the National Science and Technology Council (previously known as Ministry of Science and Technology) of Taiwan, under MOST 108-2511-H-008 -016 -MY4.

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Evaluation of an Instructional Design for Developing Computational Thinking Skills Using Four-bar Linkage Bionic Robots

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