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JoyBots: Designing a Robotics-Infused Happiness Program for Asian American Children

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Title: JoyBots: Designing a Robotics-Infused Happiness Program for Asian American Children
Language: English
Authors: Suzhen Duan (ORCID 0000-0002-1272-719X), Qijie Vicky Cai (ORCID 0000-0001-8528-9744), Liyan Song (ORCID 0000-0001-9284-2093), Pei Ge (ORCID 0009-0008-2177-5119)
Source: International Journal of Designs for Learning. 2026 17(1):126-139.
Availability: Indiana University. 107 South Indiana Avenue, Bryan Hall 203B, Bloomington, IN 47405. Tel: 317-274-5647; Fax: 317-278-2360; e-mail: ijdl@indiana.edu; Web site: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/ijdl
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Program Design, Technology Uses in Education, Robotics, Technology Integration, Psychological Patterns, Well Being, Asian American Students, Elementary School Students, Resilience (Psychology), Instructional Design, Program Development, Learning Activities
DOI: 10.14434/ijdl.v17i1.41982
ISSN: 2159-449X
Abstract: This design case documents the creation of "JoyBots," a robotics-infused happiness education program for Asian American children in grades 1-4. Designed to address the growing need for emotional resilience and well-being among this population, the program aims to equip young learners with happiness-related knowledge and skills that prepare them to navigate future challenges with confidence. Developed by an interdisciplinary team in partnership with a Chinese heritage school, the six-session program was structured around the PERMA model of well-being and grounded in constructivist learning principles. The design process unfolded iteratively, beginning with the challenge of translating abstract psychological concepts into child-friendly activities, followed by the integration of robotics to make those concepts tangible, and culminating in refinements that addressed accessibility, multilingual supports, and instructor readiness. Pilot teaching sessions with 17 students confirmed the promise of combining robotics and happiness education while also revealing areas for improvement in pacing, scaffolding, and language support.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506092
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: JoyBots: Designing a Robotics-Infused Happiness Program for Asian American Children
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Suzhen+Duan%22">Suzhen Duan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1272-719X">0000-0002-1272-719X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Qijie+Vicky+Cai%22">Qijie Vicky Cai</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8528-9744">0000-0001-8528-9744</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liyan+Song%22">Liyan Song</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9284-2093">0000-0001-9284-2093</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pei+Ge%22">Pei Ge</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2177-5119">0009-0008-2177-5119</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Designs+for+Learning%22"><i>International Journal of Designs for Learning</i></searchLink>. 2026 17(1):126-139.
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  Data: Indiana University. 107 South Indiana Avenue, Bryan Hall 203B, Bloomington, IN 47405. Tel: 317-274-5647; Fax: 317-278-2360; e-mail: ijdl@indiana.edu; Web site: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/ijdl
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  Data: 14
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Design%22">Program Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Uses+in+Education%22">Technology Uses in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Robotics%22">Robotics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Integration%22">Technology Integration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+Patterns%22">Psychological Patterns</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Asian+American+Students%22">Asian American Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Resilience+%28Psychology%29%22">Resilience (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Design%22">Instructional Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Development%22">Program Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Activities%22">Learning Activities</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.14434/ijdl.v17i1.41982
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  Data: 2159-449X
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  Data: This design case documents the creation of "JoyBots," a robotics-infused happiness education program for Asian American children in grades 1-4. Designed to address the growing need for emotional resilience and well-being among this population, the program aims to equip young learners with happiness-related knowledge and skills that prepare them to navigate future challenges with confidence. Developed by an interdisciplinary team in partnership with a Chinese heritage school, the six-session program was structured around the PERMA model of well-being and grounded in constructivist learning principles. The design process unfolded iteratively, beginning with the challenge of translating abstract psychological concepts into child-friendly activities, followed by the integration of robotics to make those concepts tangible, and culminating in refinements that addressed accessibility, multilingual supports, and instructor readiness. Pilot teaching sessions with 17 students confirmed the promise of combining robotics and happiness education while also revealing areas for improvement in pacing, scaffolding, and language support.
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        Value: 10.14434/ijdl.v17i1.41982
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      – Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technology Uses in Education
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      – SubjectFull: Robotics
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      – SubjectFull: Well Being
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      – SubjectFull: Asian American Students
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      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Resilience (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Instructional Design
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      – TitleFull: JoyBots: Designing a Robotics-Infused Happiness Program for Asian American Children
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