Physics teachers’ perceptions of using physical computing to develop future skills in school students

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explore physics teachers’ perceptions of the role of physical computing in developing future skills of school students in Saudi Arabia. Quantitative data were gathered through questionnaires distributed to 45 physics teachers who had integrated physical computing in their classrooms. The study provides some insights into the variations of those perceptions based on demographic variables such as teachers’ gender, qualifications, teaching experience and type of microcontroller used. The findings suggest that physical computing has a significant role in developing future skills among students. Recommendations for employing Fourth Industrial Revolution approaches and including physical computing in teacher professional development are provided. From the viewpoint of physics teachers, this paper fills a significant gap in physical computing’s role in developing future skills among students.