Verschilt de Interactie tussen Leerlingen in het Basisonderwijs tussen Programmeren met Robot en Computerprogramma?

Abstract

Background: This study examined if elementary school students’ Verbal and Nonverbal Communication and Cooperation differ between using a robot or a computer program during a programming class. A significant difference was expected, because studies show that robots influence the interaction between children. However, no research has yet been done into the differences between the interaction of the primary school students between programming with a robot and a computer program. The current study focuses on this. Method: The sample consisted 82 elementary school students from grade 4, 5 and 6. There were 42 boys and 40 girls included. De primary school students have taken a lesson in pairs with the robot or the computer program. The behaviours of the primary school students were videotaped and coded afterwards with coding schemes. Results: An Independent T-test showed that there were no significant differences in the Verbal and Non-verbal Communication and Cooperation of the primary school students between the two conditions. Conclusion: A possible explanation for not finding a difference is the fact that there was little interaction between the primary school students. A difference could possibly be found when the robot has human characteristics. There is also noted that the students found the computer program very difficult to understand. The computer program could be made easier in a subsequent study. Finally, sounds and lights from the robot and computer program could be contribute to the interaction between the primary school students. More research is therefore needed to be able to make statements about the differences between the robot and the computer program between the Verbal and Non-verbal Communication and Cooperation of the primary school students