TI: Title Robotics as an educational tool AU: Author Miglino, Orazio; Lund, Henrik Hautop; Cardaci, Maurizio AF: Author Affiliation U Naples, Italy [Miglino] SO: Source Journal of Interactive Learning Research. Vol 10(1), 1999, pp. 25-47 IS: ISSN 1093-023X (Print) PB: Publisher Assn for the Advancement of Computing in Education, US, http://website:http://www.aace.org AB: Abstract Reviews educational projects involving robots, and explores how the process of using computers to construct robots that simulate behavior can help students at all levels to understand concepts about complex dynamic systems, in particular how global behavior can emerge from local dynamics. In order to obtain a given behavior, students modify both the "mind" and the body of artificial organisms. The construction of populations of artificial organisms helps the students to realize the difference between observing behavior at the individual (microscopic) level and at the population (macroscopic) level. The development of a population of robots with a given behavior is an evolutionary process. The selective reproduction of this population is a powerful tool for teaching the Darwinian theory of evolution, since experiments using artificial as opposed to biological organisms make it possible to rapidly observe the results of selection, reproduction, and mutation. It is suggested that the use of intelligent systems to enlarge our view of biological reality could become an integral part of curricula in science, technology, psychology, and biology. The LEGO Mindstorms system is described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2002 APA, all rights reserved) LA: Language English PY: Publication Year 1999 PT: Publication Type Print (Paper); Journal Article PO: Population Human FE: Features References; Peer Reviewed DE: Descriptors *Computer Applications; *Robotics; *Teaching Methods; Artificial Intelligence; Behavior; Darwinism; Population; Simulation ID: Identifiers educational use of computer robotics; teaching how artificial organisms simulate individual behavior & evolution of populations & systems CL: Classification 3530 Curriculum & Programs & Teaching Methods UD: Update 19990701 AN: Accession Number 1999-13196-002