With robots slowly infiltrating our daily lives, surely there should be more of them in schools helping children get used to working alongside automation and gaining experience in Technology and Science subjects which are coming to dominate the workplace.
So, why should schools start using robots in their lessons?
- Robotics is a subject that can be taught at any level or ability, especially with the range of Educational Robots on the market. Lego® Education products for instance span all key stages. There are build and code robot kits suitable for children as young as four and with many products offering lesson plans and example instructions, they can be altered to suit any class level.
- You can use them to teach other skills. Primarily, the whole idea of introducing robots to schools is to teach about robots, but building and coding robot kits put children in a position where they are manually manipulating sensors and motors, which helps improve motor skills and coordination.
- In addition, you can also use robotics to introduce real world learning into the classroom, children can learn about climate change, architecture and engineering, as well as other subjects, like biology by building and designing humanoid or animal like robots, bridges and other structures.
- Still on the subject of skills, getting pupils to build robots introduces hands on skills, where they can work as a team practicing their communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills.
- Importantly, bringing robots into the classroom prepares children for a 21st century workforce. The workplace is changing rapidly and with more and more industries turning to automation, from factories to supermarkets, its essential that pupils have Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects. It has been reported that 50% of today’s children will have jobs that don’t exist yet, so they need to be prepared!
- Introducing robotic kits provides a base for teaching computer programming, by beginning with a physical robot and learning by demonstration, students will find the theory aspect easier to grasp.
- Having lessons with robotics promotes innovation and gives pupils entrepreneurial skills as building and coding require creative thinking. By giving students the ability to explore robotics and engineering, they can create their own programs and allowing them to see the coding play out in real time.
- Finally, playing with robots is fun and you always learn and retain information better when its fun. So…
