ERIC Number: EJ1418145
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1939-1382
Experimenting with Soft Robotics in Education: A Systematic Literature Review from 2006 to 2022
Israel Ulises Cayetano-Jimenez; Erick Axel Martinez-Rios; Rogelio Bustamante-Bello; Ricardo A. Ramirez-Mendoza; Maria Soledad Ramirez-Montoya
IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, v17 p1261-1278 2024
Educational robotics (ER) is a discipline of applied robotics focused on teaching robot design, analysis, application, and operation. Traditionally, ER has favored rigid robots, overlooking the potential of soft robots (SRs). While rigid robots offer insights into dynamics, kinematics, and control, they have limitations in exploring the depths of mechanical design and material properties. In this regard, SRs present an opportunity to expand educational topics and activities in robotics through their unique bioinspired properties and accessibility. Despite their promise, there is a notable lack of research on SRs as educational tools, limiting the identification of research avenues that could promote their adoption in educational settings. This study conducts a systematic literature review to elucidate the impact of SRs across academic levels, pedagogical strategies, prevalent artificial muscles, educational activities, and assessment methods. The findings indicate a significant focus on K-12 workshops utilizing soft pneumatic actuators. Furthermore, SRs have fostered the development of fabrication and mechanical design skills beyond mere programming tasks. However, there is a shortage of studies analyzing their use in higher education or their impact on learning outcomes, suggesting a critical need for comprehensive evaluations to determine their effectiveness, rather than solely relying on surveys for student feedback. Thus, there is an opportunity to explore and evaluate the use of SRs in more advanced settings and multidisciplinary activities, urging for rigorous assessments of their influence on learning outcomes. By undertaking this, we aim to provide a foundation for integrating SRs into the ER curriculum, potentially transforming teaching methodologies and enriching students' learning experiences.
Descriptors: Robotics, Educational Technology, Teaching Methods, Learning Activities, Evaluation Methods, Elementary Secondary Education, Educational Research, Research Needs
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Tel: 732-981-0060; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2578/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=4620076
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A