Using Robot Platforms to Enhance Concept Learning in Introductory Computer Science Courses

Accessible Hands-on AI and Robotics Education

Volume

Papers from the 2004 AAAI Spring Symposium

Contents

A common pedagogical challenge in introductory courses is how to engage student interest without exceeding the limits of what can or should be expected from students learning basic concepts. Standard assignments are typically artificial, and not readily applicable to larger problems. One way to provide educators and students with a real world setting is to incorporate a robotic platform. This project will test the hypothesis that embedding robotic in non-traditional venues will motivate students to understand the underlying problem-solving concepts and develop a deeper understanding of programming constructs.