Article 2024

Effect of robotics-enhanced project-based learning approach on students' conceptual understanding and motivation in linear motion in physics in selected Rwandan Secondary School

Education and Information Technologies
Journal · Vol. 29 · Issue 10 · pp. 12435-12456
Abstract

Various researchers have reported that learners still have a limited conceptual knowledge of linear motion which may affect their learning achievement and motivation towards this subject matter. For this purpose, an investigation was conducted to find out the effect of the Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach with educational robotics on senior students’ conceptualunderstanding of linear motion and learning motivation. This study used a quasi-experimental non-equivalent group design with a quantitative research approach. Participants were 78 senior students selected purposively from one school whose teachers have been trained on PBL by Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development project. A linear motion achievement test and a 5-point Likert motivation scale questionnaire were administered to the same groups of students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data quantitatively using Ms Excel and SPSS. Results have shown that students who were taught through PBL had more motivation toward learning linear motion and conceptualized better linear motion. The study recommends implementing Project-Based Learning (PBL) approaches, including educational robotics, and providing professional development for teachers to improve senior students' conceptual understand and motivation in linear motion. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Project-Based Learning motivation conceptual understanding Educational Robotics Linear motion

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
School of Education, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda, African Center of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS), Kayonza, Rwanda
School of Education, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda, Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development (RQBEHCD) Project, Kigali, Rwanda, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Makkah al Mukarramah, Rwanda
School of Education, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda, African Center of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS), Kayonza, Rwanda, Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development (RQBEHCD) Project, Kigali, Rwanda
School of Education, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda, African Center of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS), Kayonza, Rwanda, Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development (RQBEHCD) Project, Kigali, Rwanda, Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Kigali (RP / IPRC-Kigali), Kigali, Rwanda
Funding & Acknowledgements
African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science, University of Rwanda, ACEITLMS
I value the input and assistance that many people provided for this work. The personnel of University of Rwanda \u2013 College of Education (UR-CE) in general, and the staff of the African Centre of Excellence or Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS) in particular deserve my gratitude for their support and encouragement during my coursework. Special and sincere gratitude is paid to the management team and active partners of the Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development project (RQBEHCD), subcomponent 1.2. Without their input this work would not have reached its successful conclusion. I want to express my gratitude to the headmaster, deputy headmaster, teachers, and students who generously and voluntarily took part in this study. They provided a priceless opportunity for this study with their time and cooperation. I would especially like to thank my co-workers, classmates, and other colleagues from different cohorts for all their support throughout the process. Thanks again to Assoc. Prof. Pheneas Nkundabakura for supervising well this research.\u00A0I do also\u00A0appreciate everyone who helped me throughout this study and contributed to its accomplishment.
Grant: UR-CE
I value the input and assistance that many people provided for this work. The personnel of University of Rwanda \u2013 College of Education (UR-CE) in general, and the staff of the African Centre of Excellence or Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS) in particular deserve my gratitude for their support and encouragement during my coursework. Special and sincere gratitude is paid to the management team and active partners of the Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development project (RQBEHCD), subcomponent 1.2. Without their input this work would not have reached its successful conclusion. I want to express my gratitude to the headmaster, deputy headmaster, teachers, and students who generously and voluntarily took part in this study. They provided a priceless opportunity for this study with their time and cooperation. I would especially like to thank my co-workers, classmates, and other colleagues from different cohorts for all their support throughout the process. Thanks again to Assoc. Prof. Pheneas Nkundabakura for supervising well this research.\u00A0I do also\u00A0appreciate everyone who helped me throughout this study and contributed to its accomplishment.
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