First, we must understand what a robot is, to explain why we should teach kids how to program robots in schools.
A robot is essentially a mechanical device that can be programmed for several instructions. The robot features a processing unit, environmental sensors, motors, and actuators moving its limbs or wheels. It can speak, make other sounds, or flash with lights and colors to the environment. Robots need not only remotely controlled to follow programmed instructions.
There is considerable evidence that students react well to robotic programming. There are plenty of resources on the internet like robot packages like Lego Mindstorms and Vex Robotics, simple programmable robots like sphero balls and lesson plans for parents or teachers. There are also sophisticated robots like the NAO robot. Robots lend themselves to activities. For example, a colleague creates robots using a 3D printer and uses his smartphone as an interactive device with a printed robot.
Here are the top six reasons to teach robotics in schools.
Fun to learn robotics
At first, robotics may seem the geekiest of geek and nerds. It’s pretty fun; actually, great fun! When we go to etymology, the word robot comes from the Czech word robota. To improve it, robots are meant to help ease our burden. And making robotics that listens and bid, or designing robots to solve common problems and challenges when teaching robotics to students, can be exciting. Besides being fun, our creative juices also make good use of our minds.
Easy way to programming
Too abstract programming can be. Students learn what robots can and can’t do by controlling a physical robot and seeing what goes wrong. You also gain the need for accurate instructions. Robotics helps meet the increasing demand for education in schools in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In addition to illustrating technique directly through robot programming, students will learn about science, engineering, and mathematics and understand how these topics interconnect. With the prevalence of artificial intelligence in homes, schools, and offices, a little programming knowledge helps everyone to understand the workings of these systems.
Creative thinking
Robotics is a learning module based on production. Students have the chance to create something tangible and do the work they plan to do. Not many fields combine creativity with technology — robotics does. When students have the opportunity to create something interactive that they think is cool, their level of commitment increases, and more information retains. If you have the right information and tools, you may be surprised at the things children can create.
Preparedness for the future
The present generation of students must be more prepared for technological changes because advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, driverless vehicles, and spacecraft take shape every day. When students learn robotics in their school years, they can discover all their interests and talents in the workforce. There is no way for students to develop an interest in these areas without knowledge or access to robotics education. Who knows how many potential creators and innovators there are who never have been given resources to realize their potential without robotics education in the public schools.
Engagement
Hands-on learning activities increase focus and attention because the higher the number of students acquires physical abilities, the higher the desire to continue the lesson. Robotics is an area that a wide range of students with diverse talents and skills can easily access. Studies have shown that robots are doing a great job of involving autism students. Autism children can efficiently respond to consistent, calm, and clean interactions provided by robots.
Teamwork
Robotics integrates a variety of skills and promotes a learning environment for people with various talents. If properly utilized, it also encourages a teamwork culture. It can also be used to help students struggling to learn in traditional classrooms–for example, the ASK NAO robot was developed to support autistic students and its primary goal is to bring everybody to the school with modern pedagogical approaches.
