Applicability of knowledge: Motivational factor for beginning learners of programming

Knowledge of programming, basic algorithmic structures and planning using algorithms is the literacy of the 21st century. Learning such knowledge is not easy and requires complex thinking and the dedication of time and effort. To attract students to the study of programming, we should not turn to the traditional method of imparting knowledge but rather teach such knowledge in parallel with other topics to build subject-related programming knowledge and to motivate students to apply such knowledge to other topics. Writing, reading and mathematics are taught at the initial stages of schooling (up to a certain point), but programming has generally only been applicable when students have acquired a certain level of knowledge. So, early departure from opportunities to teach programming creates problems in this respect and later results in a potentially small pool of programmers. The present research deals with how to increase students' initial motivation to learn programming through the use of robotics, automation, electronics programming and block programming (without encoding). This research is based on two hypotheses: Students are motivated to learn knowledge with relevant applications (H1). And, showing the applicability of programming increases the short-term motivation of students to learn programming (H2). The examination of students' motivation was done through self-assessment using a Likert scale before and after students received an in-class demonstration of the applications of programming.