Using Robotics to Support the Acquisition of STEM and 21st-Century Competencies: Promising (and Practical) Directions

Authors

  • Allison Stokes Memorial University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5971-4380
  • Janice Aurini University of Waterloo
  • Jessica Rizk University of Waterloo
  • Robert Gorbet University of Waterloo
  • John McLevey University of Waterloo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53967/cje-rce.5455

Keywords:

robotics, STEM, 21st century competencies, elementary education

Abstract

To enhance how educators use robotics to support the development of STEM and 21st century competencies, we report findings from focus groups and interviews with 133 elementary teachers and 46 elementary students, 19 video-recorded classroom observations, and a teacher survey from Ontario, Canada. We find that teachers use robotics in a variety of ways to support the development of cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills. Despite the potential benefits, our participants identified several factors that limit the adoption of robotics teaching and learning on a wider scale, including insufficient curriculum and assessment integration, resources, and professional development and support. We provide practical policy guidelines to support the broader integration of robotics and reflect on how these recommendations may inform teaching and learning in a (post-) COVID-19 classroom.

Author Biographies

Allison Stokes, Memorial University

Dr. Stokes’ is an Assistant Professor of Sociology. Her research specializations include work, culture, inequality, and education. 

Jessica Rizk, University of Waterloo

Dr. Rizk is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on education and technology. 

Robert Gorbet, University of Waterloo

Dr. Robert Gorbet is an Associate Professor. Formally trained as an electrical engineer, Dr. Gorbet is an interdisciplinarian, a mechatronics specialist, an award-winning teacher and a technology artist. 

John McLevey, University of Waterloo

Dr. McLevey is an Associate Professor. His work falls broadly under the umbrella of “computational social science,” with an emphasis on network analysis and applications of natural language processing / computational linguistics in the social sciences. 

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Published

2023-01-02

How to Cite

Stokes, A., Aurini, J., Rizk, J., Gorbet, R., & McLevey, J. (2023). Using Robotics to Support the Acquisition of STEM and 21st-Century Competencies: Promising (and Practical) Directions. Canadian Journal of Education/Revue Canadienne De l’éducation, 45(4), 1141–1170. https://doi.org/10.53967/cje-rce.5455