Effects of Participation in Educational Robotics Competitions from the Parent's Perspective: A Mixed-Methods Study

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Effects of Participation in Educational Robotics Competitions from the Parent's Perspective: A Mixed-Methods Study
Language: English
Authors: Wenhao Yu (ORCID 0000-0001-5111-0531), Yiyang You, Feng-Kuang Chiang (ORCID 0000-0002-6010-6048)
Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. 2025 41(4).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Robotics, Technology Uses in Education, STEM Education, Competition, Parent Attitudes, Learner Engagement, Knowledge Level, Academic Achievement, Career Choice
DOI: 10.1111/jcal.70092
ISSN: 0266-4909
1365-2729
Abstract: Background: Educational robots are regarded as effective learning tools in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and educational robotics competitions have become highly popular. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of participation in an educational robotics competition, the World Robot Olympiad, from the parent's perspective. Methods: This study collected and analysed 128 questionnaires and 30 interviews of parents from different countries. For quantitative studies, descriptive and correlation analyses were employed. For qualitative studies, grounded theory was used to generate codes and categories. The quantitative and qualitative analyses were then combined to comprehensively evaluate the findings. Results and Conclusions: According to the quantitative research results, parents agreed that participation in the WRO can positively influence their child's abilities in seven dimensions, with emotional engagement receiving the most influence. The qualitative results indicated that parents perceived advancements in not only their child's STEM knowledge on specific topics but also noted effects on their learning performance in school and choice of career. This study proposed the use of the Expectation-Effort-Impact model from the parent's perspective. The virtuous cycle between the child's efforts to perform well and the parent's expectations of growth exerts a lasting effect on the child's development.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1478154
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Background: Educational robots are regarded as effective learning tools in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and educational robotics competitions have become highly popular. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of participation in an educational robotics competition, the World Robot Olympiad, from the parent's perspective. Methods: This study collected and analysed 128 questionnaires and 30 interviews of parents from different countries. For quantitative studies, descriptive and correlation analyses were employed. For qualitative studies, grounded theory was used to generate codes and categories. The quantitative and qualitative analyses were then combined to comprehensively evaluate the findings. Results and Conclusions: According to the quantitative research results, parents agreed that participation in the WRO can positively influence their child's abilities in seven dimensions, with emotional engagement receiving the most influence. The qualitative results indicated that parents perceived advancements in not only their child's STEM knowledge on specific topics but also noted effects on their learning performance in school and choice of career. This study proposed the use of the Expectation-Effort-Impact model from the parent's perspective. The virtuous cycle between the child's efforts to perform well and the parent's expectations of growth exerts a lasting effect on the child's development.
ISSN:0266-4909
1365-2729
DOI:10.1111/jcal.70092