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Robotics Academy
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Overview
The Robotics Academy at Frederick University Cyprus was launched aiming to establish and stimulate educational robotics. It is a research and educational unit which promotes and conducts research in the area of robotics education. The activities of the academy are multidimensional, including but not limited to: Educational afternoon program, school visits, professional development programs, summer clubs, participation in events (i.e. educational, scientific, charity), participation in research and educational projects.
The Robotics Academy developed and implements a pioneer teaching method and an innovative Educational Robotics Curriculum for students and educators in elementary and secondary school levels. The philosophy and the pedagogical framework developed by the Robotics Academy serve as the backbone of the design of the educational robotics curriculum.
It focuses on two elements: 1) Learning by Playing: Building and Programming robots, and 2) Robotics as partners in Learning (Examine, Explore and Discover through Construction and Programming).
The Robotics Academy focuses on two elements:
- Learning by Playing: Buidling and Programming robots and
- Robotics as partners in Learning (Examine, Explore and Discover through Construction and Programming)
It employs innovative approaches which trace on the learning theory of constructionism where students are exposed to their own learning construction when engaging in the making of concrete artefacts.
The educational robotics curriculum employs various educational robotics packages and visual programing platforms (i.e. BeeBots & BlueBots, Robo mouse, Lego WeDo Ι & ΙΙ, mBots, Engino, Meet Edison και EdCreate, Lego Mindstorms NXT, & EV3, Kibo Robotics Kit, Pro-Bot, Botley, Kids first coding, Artie, Coding critters, Little bits, Grove, Makey-Makey, Educational drones, Arduino educational projects).
The participants are engaged in hands-on, technology-based and unplugged activities related to robotics, based on the grounds of gamification, project, problem and inquiry-based learning as well as learning scenarios.
Specifically, it includes presentations, educational games, documentary, rich audiovisual material, hands-on activities, interactive activities (building & developing robots), technology-based (educational software & simulations) and unplugged activities. The continuous enrichment of the robotics packages, visual programming platforms and the curriculum is one of the main goals of the Robotics Academy team.
| Position | Name | Department | Research Domain | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead researcher | Dr Nikleia Eteokleous | Education | Educational Technology Distance learning, blended learning, open learning Educational robotics Makerspaces Professional development training Teacher education |
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| Team Member | Rafaella Neofytou | Robotics Academy | Educational Technology | ||
| Team Member | Marina Pieri | Robotics Academy | Educational Robotics | ||
| Team Member | Christina Nicolaou | Robotics Academy | Educational Robotics | ||
| Team Member | Andri Chrysostomou | Robotics Academy | Educational Robotics | ||
| Team Member | Kritsia Chimari | Robotics Academy | Educational Robotics | ||
| Team Member | Antria Katsari | Robotics Academy | Educational Robotics |
We are working on sharing our activities with you. Visit this page again soon.
| Start Year | Project Title | Lead Partner/ Assignee | Funding from | Project Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | eUMaP - Utilities Management Platform for the case of Quarantine and Lockdown | Frederick University (SERG) | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) (RISE) | N/A |
| 2020 | Blue Limassol - Safety/ Environmental Risk Assessment Study | Frederick University (DoMC) | Limassol Municipality | N/A |
| 2020 | Urban Periscope - Portal for hERItage buildingS integration into the COntemPorary built Environment | The Cyprus Institute | Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus | N/A |
| 2019 | PUAT in multiple disciplines to address Sustainable Development Goals | Frederick University (Prof. Makrakis) | Erasmus+ / European Union | https://puat.frederick.ac.cy/ |
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Academic Journals and Book Chapters |
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Dougleris, C., & Eteokleous, N. (2021). Adult Trainer Training in Lego We Do 2.0 Distance Learning Robotics Training Program. Educational Cycle, 9 (2), 66-103. ISSN:2241-4576 https://journal.educircle.gr/archives/last-issue/68-issues/volume-9-issue-2/786-adult-trainer-training-in-lego-we-do-2-0-distance-learning-robotics-training-program |
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Eteokleous, N. (2021). Developing Robots, Self-Esteem and Self-Perception for Elementary Students through Educational Robotics. In: Avgerinou, D. M. & Pelonis, P. (Eds), Handbook of Research on K-12 Blended and Virtual Learning Through the i²Flex Classroom Model (pp. 142-161). IGI Global Publishers. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-7760-8 |
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Eteokleous, N., & Panaoura, R. (2021). Education Faculty Lived Experiences of Student Interaction and Engagement in Online Courses – A Collaborative Autoethnography. In: Avgerinou, D. M. & Pelonis, P. (Eds), Handbook of Research on K-12 Blended and Virtual Learning Through the i²Flex Classroom Model (pp. 60-83). IGI Global Publishers. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-7760-8 |
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Eteokleous,N., & Neophytou, R. (2021). Chapter 3: Exploring the Factors that Influence Preservice Teachers to Effectively Integrate Educational Robotics and Programming into the Educational Practice. In: Moyza, C., Leftwich, A., & Yadav, A. (Eds), Preparing Teachers to Teach Computer Science: Models, Practices and Policies, (pp 49-76). Information Age Publishing. |
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Eteokleous, N., Nisiforou, E., & Christodoulou,C. (2019). Creativity Thinking Skills Promoted through Educational Robotics. In: Moro, M., Alimisis, D., Locchi, L. (Eds.). Educational Robotics in the Context of the Maker Movement. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, (pp. 233-237), vol 960. Springer International Publishing. |
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Panayiotou M., & Eteokleous-Grigoriou N. (2017) Using LEGO Mindstorms as an Instructional Tool to Teach Science in Primary Education. In: Alimisis D., Moro M., Menegatti E. (eds) Educational Robotics in the Makers Era. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, (pp. 233-237), vol 560. Springer International Publishing. |
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Eteokleous, N. (2017). Employing Educational Robotics for the Development of Problem Based Learning Skills. In M. Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology (4th Ed.), (pp. 6859-6871, IGI Global Publishers, DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-2255-3.ch594. |
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Eteokleous, N. (2017). Robotics and Programming Integration as Cognitive-Learning Tools: Achieving Disciplinary Learning Objectives, In M. Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology (4th Ed.), (pp. 2492-2502), IGI Global Publishers. |
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Eteokleous, N., Demetriou, A. G. & Lambrou, A. (2013). The Pedagogical Framework for Integrating Robotics as an Interdisciplinary Learning – Cognitive Tool. In J.Roselli & E. Gulick (Eds.), Information and Communications Technology: New Research (pp. 141-158). Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Papers Published in Refereed (Peer-Reviewed) Conference Proceedings |
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| Doulgeris, C. & Eteokleous, N. (2022). Training the Adult Educators: Distance Learning Robotics Professional Development Training. In E. Langran (Ed.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 1304-1314). San Diego, CA, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved April 27, 2022 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/220909/. |
| Eteokleous, N., Kolani, E., Neophytou R., & Christodoulou, C. (2019) The case of the Robotics Academy @ Frederick University: 21st Century Skills Developed through a Non-formal Educational Settings. Published in the Conference Proceedings of the International Conference in Open and Distance Learning. https://eproceedings.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/openedu/article/view/2434 |
| Eteokleous, N., Neophytou R., Kolani, E., & Christodoulou, C. (2019). Interdisciplinary integration of robotics as a learning tool in the fields of Science and Design and Technology. Published in the conference proceedings titled: "Psychological effects of the diffusion of mass communication in everyday life. Frederick University. (In Greek) (http://www.frederick.ac.cy/fu_documents/1o_DIETNHES_SYNEDRIO_2_19.pdf). |
| Eteokleous, N., & Kolani, E. (2018). Building Robots, Self-Esteem, Self-Perception and Social Adequacy for Students with Learning Disabilities. Included in the Online Paper Repository System of the American Educational Research Association Conference (AERA), New York, NY, April 13-17, 2018. |
| Panagiotou, M., & Eteokleous – Grigoriou, N. (2017). The Role of Robotics in Elementary Students’ Attitudes towards STEM related Professions. In N. Valanides & G. Pieros (Eds.) Proceedings of the 4th Conference of Cyprus Scientific Society for Information Technology & Communication in Education (KETPEE) pp. 223–239, Nicosia, Cyprus, March 2017. (In Greek). |
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Eteokleous, N. (2017). Integrating Robotics and Programming as Cognitive-Learning Tools: Meeting Disciplinary Learning Objectives. In Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (SITE) 2017 (Mar 05, 2017) pp. 1545–1551, Texas Austin, 4-9 March 2017. |
| Eteokleous, N. (2015). Educational Robotics Material Developed in Wiki platform by Pre-Service Teachers. Included in the Online Paper Repository System of the American Educational Research Association Conference (AERA), Chicago, IL, April 16-20, 2015. |
| Eteokleous, N. (2015). Employing Educational Robotics For the Development of Problem Based Learning Skills. Included in the Online Paper Repository System of the American Educational Research Association Conference (AERA), Chicago, IL, April 16-20, 2015. |
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Ktoridou D. & Eteokleous N. (2014). Integrating Robotics to Develop Problem-Based Learning Skills. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Communication Technologies in Education (ICICTE) (pp. 272-281), Rhodes, Greece, July 3-5 , 2013 (ISBN: 978-0-9926958-3-5) |
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Eteokleous N. & Ktoridou D. (2014). Robotics as Mindtools: Developing a Student-Centered Learning Environment. (2014) In proceedings of the IEEE EDUCON 2014 - IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, Istanbul, Turkey, 3-6 April, PP. 1055-1058 |
| Eteokleous, N. & Stylianou, V. (2014). Robotics as Mindtools: Achieving Learning Objectives Through a Student-Centered Learning Environment. Online Paper Repository System of the American Educational Research Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA, April 3-7, 2014. |
| Demetriou, A. G., Lambrou, A., Eteokleous, N., & Sisamos, C. (2013). Engino Robotics Controller (ERC) for Education. Included in the Proceedings of the 21th Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation, MED 2013, Chania, Crete, 25-28, June 2013. |
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Eteokleous-Grigoriou, N. & Psomas, C. (2013). Integrating Robotics as an Interdisciplinary-Educational Tool in Primary Education. In R. McBride & M. Searson (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2013 (pp. 3877-3881). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. |
| Papers presented and/or Abstracts Published in Refereed (Peer-Reviewed) Conference Proceedings |
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Eteokleous, N. & Nisiforou, E. (2020, Apr 17 - 21) Creativity Skills Developed Through an Educational Robotics and Programming Curriculum: A Three-Year Study [Structured Poster Session]. AERA Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA http://tinyurl.com/y6clzg93 (Conference Canceled) |
| Eteokleous, N. & Neophytou, R. (2020, Apr 17 - 21) Factors Influencing Teachers to Effectively Integrate Robotics Into the Educational Process as Cognitive Learning Tool [Paper Session]. AERA Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA http://tinyurl.com/vrb2l7j (Conference Canceled) |
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Eteokleous, N., Nisiforou, E., & Christodoulou, C. (2019). Developing Children’s Creativity Through an Educational Robotics Curriculum. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association Conference (AERA), Toronto, CA, April 5-9, 2019. |
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Eteokleous, N. (2018). Educators’ Profile of Effective Integration of Robotics Education in the Educational Practice. Paper presented at the 15th Conference of the Pedagogical Company Cyprus entitled “The role of the Educational Research as equalizer in a society of inequalities”, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus, October 12-13, 2018 (In Greek). |
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Eteokleous, N., Neophytou, R., Kolani, E., & Christodoulou, C. (2018). Elementary School Students Learning Science Concepts by Constructing and Programming Robots. Paper presented at the 15th Conference of the Pedagogical Company Cyprus entitled “The role of the Educational Research as equalizer in a society of inequalities”, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, October 12-13, 2018 (In Greek). |
| Neophytou, R. & Eteokleous, N. (2018). Exploring Teachers’ Profile for Effective Integration of Robotics into the Educational Process as Cognitive-Learning Tool. International Conference on Educational Robotics, Sapienza University, October 11th, 2018, Rome, Italy. |
| Eteokleous, N., Nisiforou, E., & Christodoulou, C. (2018). Creativity Thinking Skills Promoted through Educational Robotics. International Conference on Educational Robotics, Sapienza University, October 11th, 2018, Rome, Italy. |
| Eteokleous, N., Kolani, E., & Charalampous, I. (2018). The Robots wear a magical mask and meet Trigonopsarouli. Paper presented at the International Phycology and Mass Media Conference entitled “The psychological effects of the dissemination of mass media communication in our daily lives”, Frederick University, April 28-219, 2018, Limassol, Cyprus (In Greek). |
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Eteokleous, N., Christodoulou, C., & Kolani, E. (2018). Interdisciplinary Integration of Robotics as Learning Tool at the Subject Matters of Sciences and Design and Technology. Paper presented at the International Phycology and Mass Media Conference entitled “The psychological effects of the dissemination of mass media communication in our daily lives”, Frederick University, April 28-219, 2018, Limassol, Cyprus (In Greek). |
| Panayiotou, M., Eteokleous-Grigoriou, N. (2017). Robotics as Means To Increase Students’ Stem Attitudes. In International Conference on Education and New Developments - END 2017. Lisbon, Portugal, 24 - 26 June 2017. |
| Eteokleous, N. (2016). Developing 21st Century Skills through the Educational Robotics Curriculum for Elementary School Students. Paper presented at the 14th Conference of the Pedagogical Company Cyprus entitled “Education, Interdisciplinary and Modern World: The role and the contribution of Educational Research”, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus, October 21-22, 2018 (In Greek). |
| Eteokleous, N., & Christodoulou, C. (2016). The Robotics Academy by Frederick University. The experience as of now. Paper presented at the 14th Conference of the Pedagogical Company Cyprus entitled “Education, Interdisciplinary and Modern World: The role and the contribution of Educational Research”, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus, October 21-22, 2018 (In Greek). |
| Kolani, E., & Eteokleous, N. (2016). The use of robotics for the development of problem solving skills. Paper presented at the 14th Conference of the Pedagogical Company Cyprus entitled “Education, Interdisciplinary and Modern World: The role and the contribution of Educational Research”, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus, October 21-22, 2018 (In Greek). |
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Demetriou, G., & Eteokleous, N. (2011). Teaching Robotics in Elementary School. Paper presented at the Educational Conference with International Participation: Schools of Education and their role in regards to the challenges of the modern society, Department of Primary Education (pp. 427-442), April 29-30, Frederick University, Limassol, Cyprus (In Greek). |
| Articles published in newspapers and other media |
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| Eteokleous, N. (June 2nd, 2016). Frederick University continues to dynamically contribute in promoting Robotics in the Cypriot Educational System and Society. The article was published at the electronic newspaper Paideia news. |
| Eteokleous, N. (February 11th, 2015). Educators Professional Development Training to Integrating Robotics as a Tool in the Educational Practice from the Robotics Academy – Frederick University and the Pedagogical Institute. The article has been published in the electronic paper Paideia news and it can be found at the following address: http://paideia-news.com/index.php?id=109&hid=15522 |
| Eteokleous, M. (December 8, 2014). Robotics facilitates students to learn about wild animals. A fascinating program for elementary school students from Frederick University and KB Elementary School in Limassol. The article has been published in the electronic paper Paideia news and it can be found at the following address: http://paideia-news.com/index.php?id=109&hid=14871 |
At the Robotics Academy, Robotics is integrated as a cognitive-learning tool and is employed by the students to enhance their learning and support the achievement of specific learning goals. The possibilities and affordances of educational robotics are truly inexhaustible and the only thing that limits these possibilities and affordances, is the imagination of the educator and the student.
My involvement with the various activities at the Robotics Academy has been an excellent experience. What has particularly impressed me is the enthusiasm of the children during lessons. Various skills are developed throughout robotics which are turned into a joyful play. It certainly agrees with the motto of the Robotics Academy: Children learn by playing!
