The impact of virtual reality applications on robotic coding courses

This study aims to reveal the effect of virtual reality applications on teaching basic coding skills within the scope of the Robotics Coding course in the preschool period. The study, which used pre-test and post-test real experimental design, was applied to experimental and control groups. The study group consisted of literate 5-year-old students randomly selected from a nursery operating in Burdur province, 10 students in the experimental group and 10 students in the control group. Coding training was given to the experimental group using virtual reality applications, while the control group was given the classical method with coding activities without a computer. Success tests, gain tests, checklist, reflective diaries and parent interview forms were used as data collection tools. The data were evaluated by applying a qualitative analysis method, descriptive statistics and Mann Whitney-U test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. According to the findings, it was determined that the difference in the academic success of the students in the experimental group after the virtual reality application towards coding training was significant (p<0.05). It was determined that the virtual reality application supported the students' motivation, problem-solving skills and location-direction perception. According to the qualitative data, it was determined that students experienced positive emotions such as happiness, fun and convenience regarding the virtual reality application. Parents also stated that virtual reality contributes to their children's learning process. As a result, virtual reality applications facilitated the teaching of abstract concepts in the preschool period and were effective in increasing students' attention and motivation. Keywords: Basic Coding Education, Virtual Reality, Location-Direction Concept, Algorithm