The Effect of STEM-Based Robotic Coding Education on Primary School Students’ Decision-Making Skills

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of STEM-based robotic coding education for primary schoolers in terms of their decision-making skills. Mixed method was preferred in the research. Pretest-posttest control group designs were used in the quantitative phase, and the case study was used in the qualitative phase of the research. The study sample consisted of 65 third graders. Pre-testing of experimental and control group students was performed using the decision-making skill scale. STEM-based robotic coding training was given to the experimental group for 6 weeks. Afterwards, the decision-making skill scale was applied as a post-test to both the experimental and control group. Quantitative data were analyzed with the paired and independent samples t-test. A statistically significant increase was observed in the experimental group students’ decision-making skills in favor of the post-test. There was no significant difference between the pre-and post-test scores of the control group students. An interview with 15 experimental group students was conducted in order to collect qualitative data, and the interview results were analyzed using the content analysis technique. According to the qualitative findings, robotic coding education positively affected the students’ decision-making, problem-solving, and willingness to share ideas. Suggestions were made based on the results.