Scaffolding Knowledge Construction through Robotic Technology: A Middle School Case Study

Various forms of robotic technology are currently moving from the confines of the research labs and into the hands of teachers. One area of robotics that is readily available for technology integration into elementary and middle school science and technology classrooms is produced by LEGO (Mindstorms for SchoolsTM). Such technology offers the possibility to teach various scientific, mathematical, and design concepts through the designing, building, and programming of robots. Students can creatively explore computer programming, mechanical design, physics, mathematics, motion, environmental factors, and problem solving in a collaborative group setting. This paper describes phases of a case study that integrated LEGO robotic technology into computer and science middle school classroom environments. Data were collected in the form of student projects, reflective journals, observations, and video. Observational results indicate that students had more success during robot building and programming tasks when they used flowcharting to help scaffold their knowledge construction.