Integrating Educational Robots as a New Educational Tool for Effective Learning in Mauritius

Educational robotics (ER) is a field of research that aims to introduce the use of robots as popular instructional and didactic tools in educational institutions. ER provides a pedagogical environment which is based on the use of technical interfaces combined with critical thinking that allow learners to manipulate tangible objects and to experiment from real situations. It aims to create interest in programming activities, discovery of algorithmic thinking and introduction to artificial intelligence, as well as the learning of robotics as a professional discipline among students. This article provides a vital state of the art about educational robots, its classifications, learning modalities, and its position and its importance in building a sustainable educational system. More emphasis is laid on the educational potentiality they offer, especially in terms of knowledge and computational thinking, on the benefits and limits to meet the challenge of their integration in school and university programs.