THE USE OF MANIPULATORS AND MICROCONTROLLERS IN AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT WHEN TEACHING COMPUTER SCIENCE AND PROGRAMMING

Abstract

In the context of the rapid development of automation and digital technologies, the training of specialists capable of developing and using robotic systems in an educational and industrial environment is of particular importance. This article discusses the experience of designing, modeling and implementing a three-stage robotic manipulator based on the Arduino microcontroller using computer technologies and automated control techniques in the educational process. The main focus is on building a kinematic scheme of the manipulator, developing a 3D model in a CAD environment, conducting dynamic analysis of motion, designing and preparing components by 3D printing, as well as implementing an Arduino-based control system controlled from a computer via a COM port. The study was conducted in one academic semester at the Department of Informatics of the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, in which 60 students from the 2nd year of the educational program "Informatics" took part. The participants were divided into experimental and control groups: the experimental group performed practical tasks with manipulators, sensors and Arduino devices, while the control group used traditional software simulators without physical devices. The results showed a significant increase in the final Test score in the experimental group (78.4) and an increase in the level of motivation (4.4). The data obtained prove that computer modeling and practice-oriented robotics training effectively integrate theory and practice, strengthening students ' algorithmic thinking, engineering competencies and interest in the subject.