Potential of Social Robots and ICTs in Higher Education: Enhancing Complex Thinking and Meta-Competencies

Considering the emerging trends in higher education to implement innovative pedagogical strategies and tools, this study examines the role of Social Robotics (SR) and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in enhancing classroom performance and fostering meta-competencies such as scientific, critical, innovative, and systemic thinking. Therefore, a field study was conducted with 106 students from Ibero-American universities, exploring their perceptions of SR through a mixed-methods approach. The objective was to determine the level of acceptance and effectiveness of SR in expanding the learning process. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation, revealing significant positive associations between SR implementation and classroom engagement, with students reporting increased general interest in class (ρ = 0.741, p < 0.001) and a faster perception of time (ρ = 0.679, p < 0.001). Despite these benefits, challenges such as high costs and technical barriers limit widespread SR adoption. However, SR holds significant potential to enhance the quality of higher education, contributing to ongoing efforts to integrate technological tools that prepare students for future challenges and uncertainties. The study recommends further research to evaluate SR’s long-term effects and scalability.