Table 1 Coding schemes of the study

Research

Location

Australia, Canada, China, Italy, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Turkey, USA

Sample size

1–20 people, 21–40 people, 41–60 people, 61–80 people, > 80 people

Duration of intervention

Less than or equal to 1 day, less than or equal to 4 weeks, less than or equal to 8 weeks, less than or equal to 6 months, less than or equal to 12 months, non-specified

Research methods

Experimental design, questionnaire or survey, mixed-method, system development

Research foci

Cognition, affective, psychomotor aspects, learning behavior, correlation, and evaluating robots

Cognition: learning performance, higher-order skills (problem-solving, critical thinking, logical thinking, creativity), collaboration or teamwork, communication, metacognition

Affective: technology acceptance, attitude and motivation, self-efficacy, satisfaction or interest, learning perception, preview situation, cognitive load

Interaction

Participants

Kindergarten or preschool, elementary school, junior high or middle school, high school, university students (including pre-service teachers), in-service teachers, and non-specified

Roles of robot

Tutor, tool, and tutee

Types of robot

Arduino, Bee-bot, Robo-robo, Kiwi Kits, IRobot Create, LEGO (Mindstorms, bricks, wedo), Nao, Roamers, Dash, Vex, KIBO, non-specified

Application

Dominant STEM discipline

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Interdisciplinary

Contribution to STEM

Science: basic physics, biomechanics, biology, geography information systems, non-specified

Technology: programming, internet of things, non-specified

Engineering: engineering, mechanics, component design, digital signal process, structure and construction, power and dynamic systems, non-specified

Mathematics: mathematics, mathematical methods, non-specified

Integration of robot and STEM

Content integration, supporting content integration, context integration

Pedagogical intervention

Project-based learning, constructivism, blended learning, collaborative learning, edutainment, engaged learning, experiential learning, problem-based learning, active construction, metacognitive

Educational objectives

General benefits of educational robots, learning and transfer skills, creativity and motivation, diversity and broadening participation, and teachers’ professional development