Work in progress - Using robot in developing the concept of angle for elementary school children

In our work-in-progress project that integrates educational robot technology into elementary school classroom, Digi-Robot is brought into children´s learning of angle. With the use of the robot programmed to make it turn left or turn right, children would perceive the angle concept. The robot encourages children to define an angle. Incorporating the focus-explore-reflect-apply learning cycle into the hands-on activities, the effects of using Digi-Robot in developing the angle concept for middle-grades children are investigated. The preliminary results of a pilot study indicate a decrease in children´s misconceptions of angle. In addition, children disassemble Digi-Robot and mechanical mouse, as well as explore how the robot and a mechanical mouse work, in a collaborative group setting. Children are encouraged to express ideas concerning the working principle these two systems are based on. The results show that educational robot technology links closely the mathematics curriculum and the engineering education for children.