EPSAM

I started my PhD in October 2009 after completing an MSc in Information Technology (Keele University). Working under the supervision of Dr Theocharis Kyriacou and Professor Pearl Brereton, my research investigates the effectiveness of using simulated robots as tools to teach computer programming.

Learning to program is a difficult task. Poor student motivation and a belief that programming is boring are some problems associated with the subject. Various techniques have been used to try and overcome these issues. This has included the use of robots as programming teaching aids.

In the early stages of the research project, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was undertaken. This found that robots can help to overcome problems that impact upon the learning of programming. The SLR also established the need to investigate the use of simulated robots as tools to teach programming. This is because limited work had previously considered such an approach.

Motivated by the findings of the SLR, a case study has been performed. This aims to determine if simulated robots are effective for supporting the learning of introductory programming. A robot simulator has been implemented in a number of specially designed workshops to achieve this. Furthermore, a variety of participants have been involved. The results of the research will be disseminated in early-2013.

Major, L., Kyriacou, T. and Brereton, O.P. 2012 Systematic Literature Review: Teaching Novices Programming Using Robots. IET Software, 6 (6), pp. 502 - 513.

Major, L., Kyriacou, T. and Brereton, O.P. 2012 Teaching Novices Programming Using a Robot Simulator: Case Study Protocol. In 24th Psychology of Programming Interest Group Annual Conference (PPIG 2012), London Metropolitan University, UK, 21 - 23 November 2012. PPIG. pp. 93 - 104.

Major, L., Kyriacou, T. and Brereton, O.P. 2011. Experiences of Prospective High School Teachers Using a Programming Teaching Tool. In Proceedings of the 11th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research (Koli Calling '11), Koli National Park, Finland, 17 - 20 November 2011. ACM, New York, NY, USA. pp. 126-131.

Major, L., Kyriacou, T. and Brereton, O.P. 2011. Systematic Literature Review: Teaching Novices Programming Using Robots. In 15th International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering (EASE 2011), Durham University, UK, 11 - 12 April 2011. IET. pp. 21-30.

Major, L., Kyriacou, T. and Brereton, P. 2011. Simulated Robotic Agents As Tools To Teach Introductory Programming. In Proceedings of International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED 2011), Valencia, Spain, 7 - 9 March 2011. pp. 3837-3846. ISBN 978-84-614-7423-3.