Using Robots as Learning Objects for Teaching （使用机器人作为教学的学习对象）.pdf

X World Conference on Computers in Education July 2-5, 2013; Toruń, Poland Using Robots as Learning Objects for Teaching Computer Science Renata Burbaitė, renata.burbaite@ Software Engineering Department, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania Robertas Damaševičius, robertas.damasevicius@ktu.lt Software Engineering Department, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania Vytautas Štuikys, vytautas.stuikys@ktu.lt Software Engineering Department, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania Abstract We introduce a concept of Robots As Learning Objects (RALO) and a framework of meth- odology for robotics-oriented teaching of Computer Science (CS) topics based on the Constructivist and Empirical Modelling paradigms. Our methodology views robotic tech- nologies not as mere tools, but rather as vehicles of new ways of thinking and reasoning about teaching, learning and education at large. We formulate the pedagogy-driven activi- ties, technology-driven processes, knowledge transfer channels with actors involved, tools and facilities used, and the pedagogical outcome in the robot-based constructivist learning process and describe our experience in using RALOs for teaching CS at high school (gymnasium) and university levels. Keywords education, learning object, robotics, computer science, intelligence. INTRODUCTION Robotics is an exciting multi-disciplinary area that is going to dominate the 21st century. The robotics industry is entering a new period of rapid growth (Shukla Shukla, 2012). For example, the year of 2011 has been named as the most successful year for industrial robots since 1961 (IFR, 2012). The current high school and university students will live in a highly technologized society surrounded by industrial and service robots at work, educa- tional robots at educational institutions, assistive robots at hospitals and ca