Effect of using robotics in teaching coding on achievement, motivation and problem solving skills of middle school students

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of using robots in coding on achievement, motivation and problem solving skills of 5th-6th grade students. The study was conducted with 87 students in the central district of Bolu. The research design of the study was quasi-experimental type that included a control group. After six weeks of basic programming training, the experimental group students learned coding using robots for six weeks while the control group students learned coding without using robots for same period. "Personal Information Form", "Achievement Tests", "Problem Solving Inventory for Children" and "Motivation Scale" were used as data collection tools. Independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test and covariance analysis were used for data analysis. According to programming achievement scores, significant difference was found between the pretest-posttest scores of both groups. When the posttest scores of groups were compared, significant increase was found in favor of the experimental group. After the pretest scores were taken under control, a significant difference was found in favor of the experimental group. According to problem solving inventory scores, significant difference was found between the pretest-posttest scores of experimental group, whereas no significant difference was found in the control group. When the posttest scores of groups were compared, no significant difference was found between groups. When the pretest scores were taken under control, a significant difference was found in favor of the experimental group. According to motivation posttest results, robotic coding activities increased the students' motivation but this increase was not significant.