Elementary Students’ Conceptions and Engagement in Physiological Computing: A Case Study of Lesson Implementation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 5:25 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Innovative Approaches to STEM Education (Table 12)

Abstract

Recent research has explored physiological computing as an innovative way to enrich K-12 students’ experiences in computing. Incorporating physiological data, such as heart rate and footsteps taken, can encourage scientific investigations and improve learner engagement and self-efficacy in STEM+C. This study implemented a novel approach using biosensing devices to engage five fifth-grade girls in creating computer programs with their own physiological data (i.e., muscle energy) through a series of computing lessons. Data analysis revealed that the lesson activities improved the girls’ conceptual understanding and promoted opportunities for students to express diverse perspectives in inclusive computing technology design. However, applying conceptual knowledge to hands-on programming appeared to be a common challenge for the girls.

Authors

• Idowu David Awoyemi, University of Alabama

• Fatema Nasrin, University of Alabama

• Feiya Luo, University of Alabama

• Chris S. Crawford, University of Alabama