Exploration of Developing Computational Thinking Using VEX Robots

Authors

  • Chunmei Huang, Lijuan Sun, Chunmao Jiang

Abstract

With the development of the information age, computational thinking has become an indispensable way of thinking in an intelligent age. Computational thinking refers to a series of thinking generated using computational tools and methods to solve practical problems, including five elements: decomposition, abstraction, pattern, algorithm, and evaluation. Research on computational thinking cultivation has also attracted widespread attention, especially the training method based on robots. This method can exercise students' thinking ability, practical ability, and teamwork ability. As an essential carrier of global competition and classroom teaching, the VEX robot is an essential educational robot. It has products of all ages that can stimulate students' unlimited creative possibilities, train problem-solving skills, and teamwork skills, which fit the gradual and subtle computational thinking training characteristics. Therefore, this research chooses the VEX-EDR robot as the carrier of computational thinking training. After the relevant research on computational thinking, this article proposes a computational thinking evaluation index system and makes a detailed explanation, and explains how computational thinking indexes are reflected in the VEX robot teaching plan. Then, a VEX teaching case is used to investigate how to present computational thinking elements through case teaching and how to guide students to practice. Teaching practice shows that this training program has produced excellent results and has a specific practical reference value for cultivating computational thinking.

Published

2020-02-29

Issue

Section

Articles