Effect of secondary school students' the self-efficacy on incourse robotics coding activities of block based programming and their opinions on robotics coding

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is a relationship between robotic coding activities in information technology course and self-efficacy perceptions of secondary school students about block-based programming. In addition, other purpose of the study are to a) reveal the ideas of students about robotic coding studies, b) to determine self-efficacy perceptions of block-based programming by gender, c) to determine the difference in self-efficacy perceptions between students using Scratch other than information technologies course and not using, d) to determine the difference in self-efficacy perceptions between online and non-online students. Within the scope of the research, embedded method research designs were used. In the quantitative stage of the study, a single group pre-test and post-test model was used and in the qualitative stage, a case study was used. The sample of the study consists of 61 female and 61 male students who were attending a private school in Nilüfer district of Bursa province. The semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher was applied to determine the students' thoughts and feelings about robotic coding activities 12 (4 female, 8 male) 6th grade students. According to Paired-Samples t Test results, a statistically significant difference was found in the students' perceptions of self-efficacy regarding block-based programming (p = 0.000). In addition, effect size (d = 1.28) showed that block-based programming had a significant effect on self-efficacy perception. According to Independent-Samples t Test results, self-efficacy perceptions of block-based programming did not differ statistically according to gender (p = 0.629), compared to Scratch users (p = 0.272) and students who received online education (p = 0.292). According to procured qualitative results on scope of research, students think that robotic coding activities ensure entertaining and contribute their personal development. Students, who want to improve themselves about robotic and coding, determined that they want to design robots that will benefit mankind.