Using Robots and Animals as Motivational Tools in ICT Courses

This paper presents the use of robots to increase students´ engagement in nonrobotic IT courses. It describes the experience of using robots in a course on computer architecture of the Computer Engineering program at the Universidad de León (Spain). It also states that including competitions contribute to students´ engagement. Finally, we show how the use of natural and unpredictable elements (living animals) in the environment makes these competitions more challenging. Preliminary analysis of this experience is also discussed based on a group of 67 students. We assessed the students´ attendance, their final marks, and also the subjective impression about lectures through ad hoc questionnaires.