By Utkalika Das
What is the use of robotics in education?
(A 14th-century illustration by Laurentius de Voltolina depicts a university lecture in medieval Italy)
We can easily connect the scene with a modern-day classroom. The teacher lectures at the front of the classroom while the students sit in rows and listen. Some of the students have books open in front of them and appear to be following along. Some look bored and some are talking to their peers. One appears to be sleeping.
This is the scene at many schools in Gurgaon. Even at a few of the best schools in Gurgaon, the use of technology such as the use of laptops and tablets, could not change the scenario to a great extent.
However, robotics seems to have the potential to revolutionize education at each stage, starting from the early years.
The study of robotics involves designing the structure of a robot and developing the code to program its function. These activities help the students to develop their creativity and evolve as problem solvers. It not only brings the students to the classrooms but also grabs their attention for a longer period of time.
What are the benefits of robotics in education?
The top schools in Gurgaon are adopting robotics as they find the following advantages.
- Contributes to the development of fine motor skills
- Teaches teamwork and collaboration
- Evolves logical thinking
- Improves memory and concentration
- Fires curiosity among students about how things work
- Facilitates mathematics and physics learning
- Encourages students to innovate and think outside the box
- Hones very important life skills such as leadership, problem-solving, and creativity
- Wires the thinking pattern in the brains of the students
Children are asked to decide the task to be accomplished by robots then they design to make it happen followed by giving instructions to the robots to view the outcome. Several languages such as C/C++ and Python are used for the purpose.
Has drone technology impacted the education community?
The use of drones in delivering medicines and food during covid is known to everyone. The pie graph below shows the usage of drones in different sectors.
(By researchgate.net)
Since it is spreading its wings in so many sectors, it has become imperative for the education sector to learn to use it in innovative ways. Progressive educators are finding different ways to include droves in projects. Children are responding enthusiastically!
The use of drones and robotics has resulted in a big leap forward for the Indian education system.