Can Educational Robots Improve Student Creativity: A Meta-analysis based on 48 Experimental and Quasi-experimental Studies

Cultivating innovative talents has become a critical strategy for building China into a strong country in science and technology. Catering to the trend of educational reform in the intelligent era, the use of robotics in developing student creativity proves to be of greater practical value. The findings of this study are that: first, the overall effect of educational robotics on student creativity reaches above-moderate level; second, educational robotics has more significant effects on creativity of primary and junior secondary students; third, in terms of subjects, robotics courses can most effectively promote student creativity; fourth, among various teaching topics, prototype creation has the most substantial impact on student creativity; fifth, in terms of instruction methods, inquiry-driven teaching can best stimulate student creativity; sixth, compared with ordinary classrooms, the laboratory environment is more favorable for the development of student creativity. The paper also offers recommendations for popularizing robotics curriculum at different education levels.