A Novice-Friendly and Accessible Networked Educational Robotics Simulation Platform

Bibliographic Data

ID22042151
AuthorsGordon Stein (0000-0002-1422-2814, Vanderbilt University, corresponding author), Devin Jean (0000-0001-9549-2324, Vanderbilt University), Saman Kittani (Vanderbilt University), Menton Deweese (0000-0001-7361-3826, Vanderbilt University), Ákos Lédeczi (0000-0003-2876-585X, Vanderbilt University)
Year2025
Volume15
Issue2
Pages198
Publication date2025-02-07
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci15020198
OpenAlexW4407239692
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited38

Despite its potential for STEM education, educational robotics remains out of reach for many classrooms due to upfront purchase costs, maintenance requirements, storage space, and numerous other barriers to entry. As demonstrated previously, these physical robot limitations can be reduced or eliminated through simulation. This work presents a new version of RoboScape Online, a browser-based networked educational robotics simulation platform that aims to make robotics education more accessible while expanding both the breadth and depth of topics taught. Through cloud-hosted simulations, this platform enables distant students to collaborate and compete in real-time. Integration with NetsBlox, a block-based programming environment, allows students at any level to participate in computer science activities. By incorporating a virtual machine for running NetsBlox code into the server, RoboScape Online enables scenarios to be built using the same syntax and abstractions used to program the robots. This approach enables more creative curriculum activities while proving that block-based programming is a valuable development tool, not just a “toy language”. Classroom case studies demonstrate RoboScape Online’s potential to improve students’ computational thinking skills and foster positive attitudes toward STEM subjects, with especially significant improvements in attitudes toward self-expression and creativity within the realm of computer science

Educational robotics · Future of robotics · Human–computer interaction · Multimedia · Robot · Robotics · Computer Science · Robotics and Automated Systems · Software Testing and Debugging Techniques · Teaching and Learning Programming · Artificial Intelligence

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access