Robotics Education Under COVID-19 Conditions with Educational Modular Robots

Rico Möckel*, Lucas Dahl, Dean Boonen, Desirée Parren, Yiyong Gou

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forces many robotics teachers to rethink their approach to education. Distance rules and the constant threat of a partial or complete lockdown leading to limited access to classroom equipment make it challenging to plan for hands-on education where students experience robotics by experimenting and studying with robotic hardware. On the other hand, this hands-on active learning experience is one of the strengths of robotics education and the ability to handle hardware equipment a substantial learning goal of study programs on robotics. In this paper we present and discuss the approach taken for the course Robotics and Embedded Systems at Maastricht University. The course had been adjusted to meet COVID-19 safety regulations and to allow for a fast seamless transition between onsite education at university and online education where students can work with robotic hardware at home. We share experience, best practice advice as well as educational material to help other teachers benefit from our developments. A key contribution is our custom-made, low-cost, educational modular robotic system for teaching kinematics, locomotion, and PID control that we make publicly available for replication through the website https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/edmo.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEducation in & with Robotics to Foster 21st-Century Skills
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of EDUROBOTICS 2020
EditorsM. Malvezzi, D. Alimisis, M. Moro
PublisherSpringer, Cham
Chapter3
Pages26-38
Number of pages11
Volume982
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-77022-8
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-77021-1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 May 2021
EventEducational Robotics International Conference - Online, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
Duration: 25 Feb 202126 Feb 2021
https://edurobotics2020.edumotiva.eu/

Publication series

SeriesStudies in Computional Intelligence
Volume982

Conference

ConferenceEducational Robotics International Conference
Abbreviated titleEDUROBOTICS 2020
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityPadua
Period25/02/2126/02/21
Internet address

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