Abstract— inthis paper the new methods and devices
introduced into the learning process of programming
for IT engineers at our college is described. Based on our previous research results
we supposed that project methods and some newdevices can reduce programming problems
during the first term.
These problems are rooted in the difficulties of abstract thinking and they can cause
the decrease of programming self
-concept and other learning motives.
We redesigned the traditional learning environment. As a
constructive approach project method was used. Our students
worked in groups of two or three; small problems were solved
after every lesson. In the problem solving process students use
programmable robots (e.g. Surveyor, LEGO NXT
and RCX).
They had to plan their program, solve some technical problems
and test their solution.
The usability of mobile robots in the learning process and the
short-term efficiency of our teaching method were checked with a
control group after a semester (n = 149). We examined the effects on our students’
programming skills and on their motives, mainly on their attitudes and programming
self - concept. After a two ...
