EDUCATIONAL ROBOTICS AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD - LINKING THEORY TO PRACTICE WITH ST(R)EAM LEARNING SCENARIOS

Authors

  • Paraskevi Foti Educational Coordinator for Early Childhood Education, Scientific Stuff in University of West Attica, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejoe.v8i1.4677

Keywords:

educational robotics. STREAM Learning scenarios, computational thinking, BeeBot

Abstract

STEAM enhances critical and computational thinking, problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, decision-making, through Science, Technology, Engineering and Arts, as well as Mathematics. With the contribution of Reading (Reading) and Writing (wRiting) which include recognition and visualisation, pattern formation as well as skills acquired through the use of tools such as pencil and brush, which are proven to be valuable for children's development, STREAM is now also linked to Thinking and Art in its broadest sense. Therefore, in this paper, STREAM Learning Scenarios are proposed that can be implemented within the kindergarten and primary school classroom using the BeeBot robot, highlighting its added pedagogical value and linking the theoretical framework with the playful practical implementation.

Author Biography

  • Paraskevi Foti, Educational Coordinator for Early Childhood Education, Scientific Stuff in University of West Attica, Greece

    Paraskevi Foti is an Educational Coordinator in Regional Directorate of Primary & Secondary Education of Attica and formerly Head of the 4th Kindergarten of Agia Varvara. She has studied classic piano and theory at the National Conservatory of Athens, and she has completed her master’s degree (MEd) in Intercultural Education and Management of Diversity and a second one in Specialization in ICTs and Special Education: Psychopedagogy of Inclusion. Her second degree is in Psychology from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with a specialization in Pedagogical Psychology and her doctoral dissertation (PhD) is entitled: "The contribution of ancient Greek language to art and language of Aesop and the added value of ICT Technology" with an Excellent degree. Now she is a Post Doctoral Candidate in STEAM education in University of Western Macedonia. Her first book, "Otherness, Prejudice and Stereotypes in the School Class. Teacher Management Methods" was selected as a University chart at Harokopeio University of Athens and she has participated in a collective volume ondigital educational scenarios (ed. Grigoris, 2017). Another book is “Understanding our Language, Ancient and New Greek through Aesop” (ed. Grigoris, 2020), and the next one is entitled "STREAM and Educational Robotics for children aged 3-8 years" (ed. Grigoris, 2020). She has published in many international and national conference proceedings as well as in scientific journals and has a keen interest in Information and Communication Technologies and their contribution to the teaching process and in STEM Education, as a Scientix Ambassador (European Commission). As an eTwinning and Moodle trainer she supports open-source software in the classroom. She is a teacher of Educational courses at the University of West Attica, Department of Education and Care (since 2011) and at the Postgraduate Program of Pedagogy through Innovative Technologies and Biomedical Sciences. Her email is vivifoti@gmail.com and pfoti@uniwa.gr and her website is https://blogs.sch.gr/3syn60-at3/.

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Published

2023-02-20

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Articles

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