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Ateneo Science Educators and Researchers in Virtual
Engagement (SERVE) 2020 Ateneo de Manila University
School of Science and Engineering
MS Science Education Program of Biology Department

Home Learning Experience Using Task-based Instruction (TBI) with Modular Robotics

Jonnah Christine S. Guerrero a,b*
b
Catherine Genevieve B. Lagunzad, PhD
Cornelia C. Soto, PhD c

a
The Beacon School, 2332 Chino Roces Ave Ext, Taguig, Metro Manila 1630 Philippines
b
Department of Biology, School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City 1108 Philippines
c
Department of Education, School of Social Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City 1108 Philippines
*Corresponding Author: jonnah.guerrero@obf.ateneo.edu

ABSTRACT

Science educators in the Philippines continuously find ways to make engaging learning environments for students of the
21st century. One innovation that has been prevalent in schools is the use of robotics. This engineering tool provides oppor-
tunities to develop students' understanding and further motivate learners to take an interest in Science. It is therefore im-
portant to investigate its value as an educational tool. The purpose of this study was to employ a pedagogy called Task-
Based Instruction using Lego Mindstorms EV3 as the robotics platform in learning scientific concepts among grade 11 stu-
dents. Effects to achievement were obtained before and after the integration using questionnaires. This was a quasi-
experimental research involving two classes of 23 students. Both classes were exposed to the learning pedagogy, but only
one class used robotics as a tool in their tasks. The life science unit was comprised of 14 120-minute sessions and students
worked in groups to build and code in the context of life science following the structure of the tasks. The results suggests
that TBI as a learning pedagogy is effective in improving students’ science academic achievement and using robotics as a tool
in tasks further enhances students’ cognitive thinking.

Keywords: Task-based, Modular, Robotics

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