The emergence of Educational Robotics (ER) and its rapid spread across all levels of education in recent years has drawn attention to the need for further training in this discipline. In this study we discuss the panorama of teacher training research in ER and make recommendations for institutions that intend to implement ER teacher training programs. We explore three databases that include publications in ER teacher training and select 38 publications for analysis. We discuss these publications with special emphasis on requirements, durations, trainer and trainee profiles, pedagogical approaches and best practices. Our main findings are the lack of uniformity regarding the duration and requirements of training programs and the fact that information on trainer and trainee profiles is not always documented. ER teacher training programs are often not founded on theory. When they are based on pedagogical principles, however, these are usually constructivism/constructionism, inquiry-based learning or project-based learning. The most prominent best practices for ER teacher training fall into five categories: collaboration, materials, pedagogy, practice and feedback/support. Our recommendations will help to improve the content, structure and implementation of future ER teacher training programs and the reliability and generalizability of research results and design.

Purpose: This study explores pre-service preschool teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards Educational Robotics (ER) during a university course, and also examines their perceptions of the course. Methodology: This is a one-group intervention study with an associational research design that includes both quantitative and qualitative research methods: two pre-questionnaires and two post-questionnaires on pre-service teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards ER, and participants’ training journals. Findings: The results show that pre-service teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards ER improved after they completed the ER teacher training course. There was a significant difference between the start and the end of the ER training in the pre-service teachers’ acceptance of ER in the areas of perceived ease of use, enjoyment and attitudes, and in their self-efficacy. The findings based on the training journals show that participants positively evaluated the course. The participants also provided suggestions for improving it, such as additional training sessions, resources and time for experimentation. Value: Our study reveals the impact of an ER training program and showcases the importance of integrating ER in pre-service teachers’ education.

Education is of key importance to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), particularly now that the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the progress made toward a more inclusive, peaceful, fair, and prosperous society. In this research study, students of the bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy receive a specialized training that addresses the SDGs through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) referring to computers and digital technologies. In particular, the training addresses the SDGs through Educational Robotics (ER). The aim of the training course is twofold: first, to reinforce the students’ Teacher Digital Competence (TDC), defined as teachers’ ICT competence and didactic and methodological skills; and second, to train them in the integration of SDGs in ER educational projects. This paper presents a case study in which qualitative and quantitative methods are implemented. The objectives of the study are to investigate the students’ level of TDC and examine their ability to integrate SDGs in ER projects. The research instruments employed are the COMDID-A questionnaire, a lesson plan template, and a lesson plan evaluation rubric. Among the most prominent findings, it is shown that the training enabled the students to work on sustainability in a cross-curricular manner and successfully develop ER projects centered on different SDGs. These conclusions will encourage teacher education institutions to integrate SDGs in their curriculum.

The purpose of this paper is to explore teachers’ awareness, experiences, and perceptions regarding the environmental impact of digitalization in school education across five European countries. Using an existential phenomenological approach, the study uncovers the lived experiences of 29 teachers, who participated in group semi-structured interviews. The findings highlight that teachers share a strong awareness of contemporary environmental challenges, such as climate change and pollution, and that environmental education is integrated into most school curricula, especially topics like recycling, composting, and pollution. Teachers express a genuine concern for educating students about global warming and its consequences, recognizing that today’s students will shape the future. Despite acknowledging the benefits of technology in education, teachers are not fully informed about the environmental impact of digitalization. The paper reveals teachers’ concerns about the energy consumption, carbon emissions, and electronic waste associated with digital technologies. Teachers propose strategies to address the environmental impact of digitalization, including prolonging device lifespans, responsible e-waste recycling, and promoting energy-efficient practices. They emphasize the need for proper teacher training in incorporating digitalization’s environmental impact into the curriculum. The study underscores the importance of engaging students through research activities, discussions, multimedia resources, and hands-on experiences to raise awareness about digitalization’s ecological footprint. Implications of a more informed and proactive approach to addressing the ecological footprint of digital technologies in school education are discussed.