| dc.description.abstract | This study designed a project-based learning activity related to bionic robots called ＂Mechanical Warhorse＂. In this technology-driven era, STEM education has been incorporated into formal education in many secondary schools around the world. Computational thinking, as an important interdisciplinary skill, plays a crucial role in fostering problem-solving and innovation abilities. Based on the key points of project-based learning, this study developed an instructional design that involved hands-on assembly to create a customized linkage bionic robot. Through qualitative analysis, the computational thinking performance of the learners and the assembly performance of the linkage bionic robot were analyzed. Quantitative analysis was also conducted to assess the learners′ learning outcomes and feedback on the overall activity.
Regarding ＂computational thinking performance,＂ the learners acquired skills in abstraction, decomposition, and algorithms. However, there is room for improvement in evaluation and generalization skills. In terms of ＂assembly performance,＂ most learners were able to effectively utilize limited parts and successfully assemble a bionic robot. In terms of ＂learning outcomes,＂ the learners showed significant improvement in their overall scores (p=.000). In terms of ＂satisfaction,＂ the learners highly rated the difficulty and richness of the overall course content and perceived their learning attitudes and motivation as positive.
This study provides a model for STEM curriculum, serving as a reference for future instructional design. It also offers educational materials suitable for robot and linkage mechanism education, allowing learners to engage in practical operations, problem-solving, and the application of their knowledge, thus becoming talented individuals who can flexibly apply computational thinking. | en_US |