National Science Foundation, $300,000, 2012-2015

This exploratory project investigated how modular robotics technology and handheld computers can be used to engage students in collaborative learning mathematics concepts. In partnership with the UC Davis C-STEM center, we worked to develop technology and design principles for infusing middle school computing and mathematics courses with hands-on collaborative robotics tools and activities. We used these novel designs to investigate aspects of collaborative learning processes that may be uniquely afforded by robotics materials and problem-solving challenges. The project also studied how to effectively integrate modular robot programs into the teaching and learning of introductory Algebra.

Designs: Number Line, Linear Motion

Publications from this project:

• Huang, W., White, T., Sutherland, S. & Cheng, H. (2015). Mathematical meaning-making through robot motion. In T. Bartell & K. Bieda (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th Conference of the North-American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA). East Lansing, MI: PME-NA.
• Sutherland, S., White, T., Huang, J., & Cheng, H. (2014). Making mathematical meaning through robot enactment of mathematical constructs. Proceedings of the International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS) 2014, pp. 1609-1610. Boulder, CO.