Primary School Students’ Perceptions about Robotic Coding

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine 7-9 years old students’ perceptions of robotic coding through drawings and their explanations. Phenomenological research design, one of the qualitative research methods and techniques, was used. Convenience sampling method was used in this study. A total of 14 students who took education about robotic coding education in a private school in a city center in the Marmara region participated in the study. “Draw and explain technique” was used in the collection of the data. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results of the study indicated that, students mostly drew robots in their drawings regarding the concept of robotic coding. In addition to drawing robots, they drew tablets, 3D-printers, cars, computers, headphone and Arduino set, respectively. Most of the students drew inanimate objects such as "robot" and "3D-printer" in their drawings, and only a few included living beings to their drawings. While it was seen that most of the students did not include themselves in their drawings, it was also noteworthy that they added living features such as human, face and hand to the robots or devices they drew. Moreover, it was observed that girls used colors more than boys in their drawings.

Keywords

• Robotic coding
• 3D-design
• draw and explain technique
• primary school

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