Learning with Robots in CS and STEM Education: A Case Study with ISEP-R0B0

ISEP-R0B0 is a project which combines a small programmable robot and a visual 1 programming language. Its goal is to provide a full-fledged system at a very low cost, 2 targeting schools but also informal learning situations such as after-class activities. 3 Through the programming and observation of the behavior of the robot, students can 4 learn notions either related to Computer Science or Science, Technology, Engineering, 5 and Mathematics. Since ISEP-R0B0 is still at an early stage, this article focuses on 6 introducing the design of the system and two case studies we plan on conducting shortly. 7 Introduction and Context 8 Research in Computer Science Education (CSE) has long tried to introduce robots 9 in programming courses. Oftentimes, the objective is to foster students’ interest and 10 creativity through “the design of tangible and interactive object using programmable 11 hardware” [14], also known as physical computing. In this regard, results indicate 12 that students experience an increase in motivation [7, 17] and that underrepresented 13 populations in Computer Science (CS) courses feel empowered [16]. However, learning 14 outcomes can vary depending on the context and course taught [2, 4]. 15 Two aspects of programming often cause difficulties to beginners [3,9]: the complexity 16 of a programming language and the structural instructions of a programming algorithm. 17 By focusing on the design of algorithms rather than on the code implementation itself, 18 Visual Programming Languages (VPL) can alleviate these two issues. We can mention 19 the cases of Scratch [12] and App Inventor [6] which were both used to teach fundamental 20 CS principles. A more recent example is the BBC micro:bit project, from which the 21 design of ISEP-R0B0 is inspired. The micro:bit is a “pocket-sized, codeable computing 22 device” which is programmable with an online block-based VPL [1]. Though useful as a 23 tool to foster creativity and increase motivation [17], we could not find any publication 24 identifying the effects of using the micro:bit in acquiring CS and programming knowledge. 25 ISEP-R0B0 is composed of a programmable robot and a VPL. We expect learners to 26 program ISEP-R0B0, and to see the robot itself as a playful tool for the embodiment 27 of CS or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts. Other 28 systems using block-based VPLs were previously designed with similar intents: .NET 29 Gadgeteer [7], LEGO Mindstorms [2], Thymio-II [10], and more recently micro:bit [1]. 30 However, distinctions can be drawn on the granularity of each VPL and on the cost 31 of each product. Indeed, ISEP-R0B0 provides low-level instruction blocks of code to 32 program the robot (in opposition to LEGO Mindstorms or .NET Gadgeteer which 33