Robótica educacional aplicada ao ensino de física

Abstract

Teaching Physics is fundamentally based on problem solving. Experimentation has become a present element in such learning situations. Still, Physics is a rich field for the development of misconceptions. It is observed that teaching certain concepts in Physics (such as Force, Gravity and Friction) from traditional methodologies (based on conceptualization, building examples and solving problems) seems not to ensure that certain misconceptions be corrected. Several studies have shown that misconceptions may become stable over the years and persist to the point that even after several years of study, learners arrive at the university courses with such conceptions. Concrete materials, which allow learners to build, test and confront theories are one approach indicated to complement teaching, seeking to destabilize misconceptions. Several materials can be useful in this process (toys, scrap, etc.). Ideally, pedagogical materials are most appropriated, such as educational robotics components. Educational Robot kits seem a toy, but when integrated to curricular contents, they place the learners as a constructor of his/her learning, rethinking pre-existant concepts. Situated in this problem context, the present study describes the development and experimentation of a didactic game to assist Physics teaching. Educational Robot Kits from LEGO MINDSTORMS were used in the accomplishment of the activities. The first activity had the objective of discovering learners misconceptions about friction, Gravity and Movement. From this point on, it has been developed a collaborative game made of three stages. Each stage has the objective of testing certain conceptions and promoting the learning. The experiments were accomplished with a group of eleven students (from elementary level) in a private school. The choice of elementary school students was driven by the need to evaluate both the preconceptions as the contributions of the work before the formal teaching of Physics concepts started. It is assumed that the contribution of this work is to draw up learning situations that include robotics material and a methodology based on collaborative games in elementary school level. Results, observations and students answers have allowed to attest that students were active during the experiment. Comparing initial and final conceptions it is possible to attest that there was evidence of learning.