Robotics- The Intersection of Science and Technology in School Education

Introduction

Robotics for kids is a compendium of different disciplines that provides children with knowledge related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Transmitting this range of expertise to them in a transversal and fun way facilitates the development of logical thinking while stimulating their creativity and becoming familiar with the operation of programmable objects with which they are already in daily contact.

 

 

Educational robotics for kids is a subdiscipline of robotics applied to the academic field that focuses on the design, analysis, implementation, and operation of robots. It can be taught at all educational levels, from nursery and primary education to postgraduate studies. Robotics for kids can also encourage and facilitate instruction in other disciplines, such as computer programming, artificial intelligence, or design engineering.

This term has its origins in the twenties and has been developing until today, having great importance in education. In addition, this discipline helps to respond to students with special educational needs. 

Many schools are coming up with educational robotics to their curriculum, as it brings numerous benefits to students, not only academically but also on a personal and emotional level. 

One of the characteristics of robotics for kids is that it is always taught through gamification; that is, it is learned through play. Robotics makes it possible to assimilate mathematical, physical, mechanical, or computer concepts in a fun way and, consequently, improve the acquisition of skills that are part of the school curriculum.

Teaching methodology

There is a very close link between educational robotics for kids and the theories of constructivism and active pedagogy. Constructivism is a dynamic process in which the construction of learning is carried out through experiences and not due to the transmission of knowledge.

Therefore, using technological tools in the academic field provides another modality in the learning process, creating experiences for students to build their knowledge. Thus, we can visualize the direct relationship between constructivism and educational robotics. 

Benefits of robotics in school education

Teamwork

This contributes to socialization and collaboration since only by coordinating and pooling knowledge/skills will they solve problems.

Leadership and confidence

As more complex tests are carried out, confidence in oneself and one’s abilities grow. This self-esteem is complemented by tolerance for frustration when they fail to do what is proposed to them the first time.

Promotion of entrepreneurship

Children develop new skills based on experiments and trial/error. That is why the desire to innovate, to think autonomously, and, consequently, to undertake their projects is awakened in them.

Logical thinking

Robotics for kids encourages logic and reasoning, which is why it is indirectly valid for working on philosophical thinking. It is a process where numerical calculations and logical programming patterns can enhance the function of analytical thinking through the application of numerical calculations and logical programming patterns.

Psychomotricity

The assembly necessary to fit the parts of the projects/robots requires a work of psychomotricity and coordination.

Creativity

Imagination is always present as students must design different models, robots, constructions. 

Curiosity 

Faced with the traditional repetition system, the child himself is the protagonist as he has to make his material using his resources. The curiosity to discover increases their learning capacity.

Concentration

Works amazingly for the most restless children who find it difficult to focus. 

Mathematics

Improvement in problem-solving, mathematical operations, and reasoning.

Apart from these listed above, there are many advantages and benefits that robotics for kids brings to the education and development of children, which is why it is so advisable to introduce it into the school curriculum from an early age:

• It improves their self-esteem and their desire to improve, at the same time that it helps them improve their tolerance for frustration.
• They promote the development of logical thinking, scientific intuition, and creativity.
• Develop your research and problem-solving skills.
• Develop your reading and writing skills.
• It makes it easier for the achievement of goals and objectives to become a habit.
• It forms them as subjects capable of thinking for themselves and of appreciating the value of self-motivation.
• Feed their evolution as self-taught.
• It fosters and stimulates skills that will be of enormous importance in their future professionals, such as analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, or critical thinking.
• It stimulates interest in technological sciences, one of the fields with the most significant professional future.

Goals of educational robotics

With the application of educational robotics for kids in the classroom, different objectives can be set that influence the development of students at various educational levels. 

Educational robotics for kids offers excellent advantages to students in any of the academic stages in which it is worked. This means that it has clear and marked objectives that must be achieved. Some of these objectives are as follows:

1. Develop the critical competencies of the educational curriculum and multiple intelligences.
2. Facilitate a good work environment where good behavior, concentration, respect, and responsibility with the material prevail.
3. Develop natural environments where the student can experiment, thus favoring the meaningful learning of theoretical concepts. 
4. Incorporate digital solutions in the interactive activities process, thus integrating the basic concepts of developing the applications used to understand their design.
5. Develop understanding and mastery of the basics of the language of programming.
6. Attend to diversity, since this type of project helps those students who have specific difficulties in some subjects to improve.
7. Increase the active participation of students in their learning process, providing students with tools to achieve their own goals.
8. Develop reasoning, intuitive logic, spatial perception, and fine motor skills.
9. Facilitate the understanding of abstract concepts and gain functionality in learning. 
10. Enhance their abilities in problem-solving.
11. Work on the creative thinking, imagination, and motivation of students and promote their autonomy.
12. Implementation of the game as a convenient means of work, fostering creativity and exploration naturally and playfully. 
13. Develop new forms of communication and learning that go beyond traditional methods.
14. Learn to work in a group and avoid frustration while promoting cooperation and teamwork.
15. Promote learning by projects, applying educational robotics as a tool to work on content related to science, technology, or mathematics, among others. 

Conclusion

The incorporation of new technologies in the classroom seeks to improve interdisciplinary learning environments where teachers can develop student creativity and cognitive ability. Robotics for kids brings great benefits to education. 

The use of educational robotics for kids in the classroom encourages motivation since students acquire an active role and build their own learning through this type of active methodologies. 

So including robotics for kids in education will be a great initiative for young minds. Do you agree? Share your thoughts with us!

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