RoboEduc: A Software for Teaching Robotics to Technological Excluded Children Using LEGO Prototypes

Abstract

In this work, we describe our project for developing an educational software to be used in the implementation of a new paradigm of digital inclusion. The proposed software allows people with no previous knowledge in robotics to control and program LEGO prototypes. It is a new kind of educational software for robotics, mainly pointed to teach basic computer skills and basic robotics concepts to children at elementary school. In contrast, projects involving digital inclusion are strongly pointed to the use of computers and Internet. Robots have a greater potential to be accepted by people in comparison with computers then it could be added in digital inclusion projects in a simple fashion. Thus, software for teaching to control, program and use these robots is necessary. Software for programming LEGO robots is not easy to understand and use. Then, the proposed software represents a good option for teaching robotics when working with children and people not familiarized with technology. We show experimental results in which digitally excluded children accept in a natural way technologies involving computers and robots by using the proposed software