Systematic Literature Review Protocol: Teaching Novices Programming Using Robots

Learning to program a computer has long been recognised as a difficult task for novices [1]. This has resulted in introductory programming courses suffering high drop-out rates [2] and many first-time programmers making little progress in their studies [3]. Programming is also associated with several negative stereotypes. These include the misconceptions that programming is so complex that most novices will never be able to become competent programmers [4] and that learning to program is rarely anything but a solitary and uninspiring experience [5]. Various efforts have been made by educators to try and overcome the difficulties that novice programmers encounter. Such attempts are often referred to as interventions. This study employs the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology [6] in order to investigate the use of robots as tools to aid the process of teaching programming. The SLR is a trustworthy, rigorous and auditable tool [7] and is one that allows for existing evidence to be collected and summarised while identifying gaps in current research [6]. This work will form part of a larger project that is investigating innovative methods which can assist novice programmers in their studies. No past SLR has been found to examine the use of robotics in such a context. The Protocol that is presented will specify the plan that is to be followed in order to ensure the successful implementation of the SLR.