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Edited by Dr. Lynne Schrum, George Mason University
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| formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education |
Volume 39 Number 3 Spring 2007
Robotics as Means to Increase Achievement Scores in an Informal Learning Environment
Bradley S. Barker and John Ansorge
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
This paper reports on a pilot study that examined the use of a science and
technology curriculum based on robotics to increase the achievement scores of
youth ages 9–11 in an after school program. The study examined and compared
the pretest and posttest scores of youth in the robotics intervention with youth
in a control group. The results revealed that youth in the robotics intervention
had a significant increase in mean scores on the posttest and that the control
group had no significant change in scores from the pretest to the posttest.
In addition, the results of the study indicated that the evaluation instrument
used to measure achievement was valid and reliable for this study.
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the full article (PDF, 580 KB, PDF instructions)
Contributors
Bradley S. Barker, PHD is an assistant professor and 4-H youth development
specialist for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is PI of the NSF-funded
Robotics and GPS/GIS in 4-H: Workforce Skills for the 21st Century project.
His research focuses on use of robotics in informal learning environments. (Address:
Bradley Barker, Nebraska 4-H, 114 Agricultural Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0700;
e-mail bbarker@unl.edu.)
John Ansorge is an experienced producer of interactive educational materials.
He completed his Master's degree in educational technology in 2006. (Address:
John Ansorge, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 4-H Youth Development; email:
jansorge@unl.edu.)
Copyright 2007, (International Society for Technology in Education). All
rights reserved.
| robotics, 4-H, informal learning, science achievement, experiential learning |
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