Introducing Robotics to the Classroom

KEY POINTS

• Know the real-world applications of robots.
• Understand why robots are ideal tools for teaching coding and computer science.
• Find the right robot for your classroom’s needs.
• Assign projects that link robotics and coding to a myriad of other STEM subjects.

Whether they’re assembling cars on a factory floor, assisting doctors in a hospital, or entertaining us at home, robots are becoming more a mainstay in the world around us. It is therefore becoming progressively more important to introduce students to the field of robotics in the classroom as early as possible to ensure that they have the skills and technical knowledge needed to enter the workforce of the future.

WHY ROBOTS?

Robots are an engaging, hands-on way to introduce your students to the world of computer science. Robots not only give students the opportunity to become familiar with robotics hardware, but they can also serve as an indispensable catalyst when it comes to teaching subjects like computer programming, providing active engagement, immediate feedback, and opportunities for critical reflection for young learners. Integrating physical robotics hardware into the classroom offers students an iterative, constructive learning experience that allows them to effectively learn from their mistakes and lets them truly bring their code to life.

SELECTING THE RIGHT ROBOT FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

There are a few factors to consider before selecting the right robot for your classroom. If your classroom has limited space, a compact, tabletop robotic arm could be the perfect fit for you. It’s also important to consider the features and capabilities that you would like your robot to have. In the case of robotic arms, this is often determined by the number and kind of end effectors that come with your robot. The more features it has, the more flexibility you will have when it comes to integrating your robot into future lessons. On the other hand, the robot you’ve selected must be usable at the skill-level that you and your students are both capable of managing. So in cases where you are introducing younger students to the field of robotics, sometimes selecting a simpler, less-intimidating robot is the best route to take.

INTEGRATING ROBOTS INTO LESSONS

Interaction with robots in the STEM classroom offers students and teachers alike a wide range of possible project ideas, providing a well-rounded STEM experience and connecting the subject of robotics to many other STEM fields. The content and scope of each project should be determined by the specific learning outcomes you wish to achieve in each case. Want your students to focus on one particular function of your robot? Limit the scope of the project and instruct your students to complete a task with certain criteria and constraints. Want to keep things more open and let your students’ imaginations soar? That works too! Once students understand the basics and the capabilities of the robot in their classroom, the sky is the limit.

— Dr. Jake Roark