Research Information System
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN EDUCATION, vol.24, no.2, pp.203-222, 2014 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of this study is to explore critical design issues for educational robotics training camps and to describe how these factors should be implemented in the development of such camps. For this purpose, two robotics training camps were organized for elementary school students. The first camp had 30 children attendees, and the second had 22. As a research methodology, a multiple-case design approach was used. Interviews with children and instructors, observations, field notes, and camp evaluation forms were used as data collection methods. The data were analyzed by qualitative data analysis techniques and categorized into themes: instruction, group issues, competition, coaching, technical issues, challenges, and camp duration. Prominent findings indicate that instruction strategies for a robotics camp should be designed from simple to complex. The most effective and enjoyable part of the camps were the project studies, which should be highly encouraged. Robotics training camps should provide children a chance to practice what they have learned in school. Group size should allow for every child in the group to have tasks assigned at all times.