We are investigating the interplay between aesthetics and robotics to enhance motivation and skills in digital education.
Picking up on the findings of the 2024 exploratory phase, we investigate the intersection of aesthetics and robotics in digital education. Historically, the rigid and mechanical nature of robotics has contrasted sharply with the fluid creativity of the arts. In consequence, aesthetics and robotics have only been combined sporadically, especially in education. However, advancements in technology have made robotics more accessible and adaptable for artistic purposes. This is where the project comes into play. We examine what happens when cold, rigid robotics meet aesthetic approaches, and put the focus on bringing this combination into classrooms. Through this, we pursue a shift in educational approaches from STEM to STEAM, where art is integrated to foster creativity and engagement in robotics. The core aim is to understand how aesthetic approaches to robotics can influence educational outcomes, particularly motivational aspects like self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and interests, thereby achieving broader pedagogical objectives and cultivating transversal skills.
Results can be expected mid 2025 at the earliest.
Our goal is to motivate preservice teachers to use educational robots like Thymio in their future digital education lessons. To achieve this goal, we want to develop university of teacher education course material based on our empirical findings. The course material would adopt the benefits of combining aesthetics and robotics.
We further plan to develop empirically tested digital education lesson material on robotics for primary school teachers.
Previous project:
The Beauty and the Machine, joining aesthetics and robotics in education – 1
