Introduction and Description

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This course provides an in-depth and research-informed examination of robotics and coding as pedagogical domains that meaningfully contribute to competence development across contemporary school curricula. As societies increasingly rely on automation, data-driven technologies and interconnected digital systems, educational robotics has emerged as a powerful medium through which learners encounter foundational concepts of computational thinking, systems reasoning and problem-solving. Building on theoretical perspectives from constructionism, embodied learning, and design-based education, this course positions robotics not merely as a technical skill but as a holistic learning environment that cultivates creativity, collaboration, autonomy, and epistemic agency.

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Participants are introduced to a wide spectrum of educational technologies—from entry-level programmable floor robots to microcontrollers and open-source hardware platforms—allowing them to understand how different tools afford distinct learning trajectories and cater to diverse developmental stages. Through hands-on engagement with Blue-Bot®, Makey Makey, BBC micro:bit and Arduino, educators explore how learners construct knowledge through tangible manipulation, iterative experimentation and multimodal representation. Special attention is given to inclusive design principles and the potential of robotics to remove learning barriers for students with disabilities by offering alternative interaction modes, sensory-rich experiences and personalised pathways.

 

The course critically situates robotics and coding within broader European educational frameworks, including the Key Competences for Lifelong Learning and the Digital Competence Framework for Educators (DigCompEdu). Participants examine how robotics can enhance disciplinary learning across STEM subjects as well as in arts, humanities and interdisciplinary projects, thereby supporting curricular innovation and whole-school digital transformation. They also investigate ethical, safety and data-related considerations emerging from the integration of robotics and AI-based tools in school settings.

 

Throughout the course, educators collaborate to design, prototype and test innovative learning scenarios that reflect competence-based pedagogy, inquiry-driven approaches and principles of Universal Design for Learning. Emphasis is placed on the development of student-created artefacts—digital, physical, or hybrid—that serve as evidence of understanding and support reflective learning. The course further explores opportunities for international collaboration through platforms such as eTwinning and the European School Education Platform, highlighting the potential of robotics to enrich transnational project-based learning.

 

By the end of the programme, participants will have gained a nuanced theoretical understanding and a robust practical repertoire for integrating robotics and coding into their teaching practice. They will be equipped to design inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and pedagogically sound activities that foster key competences and prepare learners to participate confidently and ethically in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.