“Schools and teachers are deciding if it’s worth the investment to
add course work in robotics.” What
evidence supports the statement?
The technological age has always been a complex and
ever-changing landscape that requires Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) skills to successfully navigate this rapidly growing space. STEM
skills are more important now more than ever because it enhances one’s capacity
to innovate and use technology and science as a tool to solve problems. The
STEM skills, education, and practices influence every part of society and will
play a critical role in the trajectory of America’s future in the global
technology race. Studies by the Department of
Education have found that early exposure to STEM has positive impacts across
the entire learning spectrum. Traci Walker Griffith, the principal at Eliot
School believes that early exposure to STEM subjects-science, technology,
engineering, and math will allow her children to master the 21st
century skills as well as problem solving techniques, teamwork, and persistence
among her students by eight grades. At Private Shady Hill School in Cambridge,
teachers were excited to include a course work in robotics because the students
were really thrilled to learn by using Legos and motors in a robotics-heavy
STEM class called Physics by Design. This course made students learn by doing
rather than listening to a teacher talk, students were engaged all the times
using simple programmable toys that teach algorithmic thinking as early as
kindergartners and first grade. In 4th grade, robotics was woven
into many aspects of the curriculum were kids learned how to build tools to
solve problems from Aesop’s Fables and in 8th grades, students were
challenged to build the slowest snail. All these advantages of using robotics in
classroom proves that it is worth investing into adding a course to teach
robotics as stated by Colin Angle “such programs introduce real life work in
the classroom can materially change aptitudes and attitudes toward science.” It
can make learning more fun and science less daunting (Resnick). In a nutshell, Educational robotics strengthen and support students' skills developing
their knowledge through the creation, design, assembly, and operation of robots. Children and young students find it funny and engaging
because they feel free to interact directly with both electrical and mechanical processes and procedures.
By programming robots, students can discover if
their aptitudes and interests correspond to those skills that will define the
job market of the future, like programming, science technology or engineering.
Working on a robot stimulates students to build their
engineering intuition and emphasizes the meaningful problem-based learning through the integration and application of
their knowledge. Strategic problem-solving, computational thinking, higher
order thinking, logical and analytical reasoning: these are just a few examples
of the abilities developed by educational robotics, abilities that will be
fundamental in a lot of professional areas. Robotics will prepare students for the competitive
workforce of tomorrow, so it is worth investing in a course on robotic to give
students all these 21st century skills and knowledge.
Maggy, I agree that Robotics is an essential in schools because having a class like this one will help our students be able to get a job in that industry. We are preparing the future, that is what we as educators should be doing. Not only does it enhance more job opportunities for them but it is also enhances their own thinking and creativity. This also teaches them about cooperative learning and how to agree/disagree and find a solution for it as a team. I love that you mentioned the above quote " such programs introduce real life work in the classroom can materially change aptitudes and attitudes toward science". For me personally science was never my favorite subject but if I were to be introduced to a Robotic program my attitude might of changed. I see it personally at my job where kids are engaged in the programming of a robot and they are middle school children so if they can be so engaged in something like this than our Elementary students will most likely too!.
ReplyDeleteMaggy and Jacki, I so agree with this. I'm hoping to teach kindergarten, so I knew I would be incorporating other forms of hands-on tinkering in my class, but these blog readings have made me committed to incorporating more technology opportunities, as well. I really liked how in the STEM's Newest Darling article, Barbara Bratzel pointed out that these kinds of hands on, authentic learning experiences give kids more ownership and engagement in their own learning. This also ties into the article on Brain Based Teaching. I particularly liked in the rewards and motivation section when they pointed out that, "if enjoyment of learning ensues, then intrinsic motivation may take over." This reminded me of our very first blog readings, where they demonstrated that overall, people are more motivated by engagement and meaning than they are by external rewards. The Brain Based Learning article also asserts that students learn best when they build on previous knowledge. The earlier we can get kids comfortable with technology and creative problem-solving, the more they can build on those skills throughout their time at school - and beyond.
ReplyDeleteRobotics can add so much to children's learning in the classroom. Not only are robots fun and exciting, but they can teach children a myriad of topics in STEM. Authentic learning experiences are essential for a well rounded education and when children have the opportunity to be able to point to a robot and say, "I created that!" or "I programmed it to do that!" you've just tied in a sense of pride with their learning experience and those lasting memories will fuel future endeavors and interest in STEM. I love how Em mentioned The Brain Based Learning article. The reality is that the jobs of the future are going to be heavily STEM based and like Em mentioned, the earlier we introduce children to technology the better.
ReplyDeleteMaggy, I completely agree that students become better problem solvers when they are introduced to robotics and stem. The article Brain Based mentions that student "learning will be stronger and retrieval of information will be easier if more senses are involved." This is exemplified in the diverse activities you mentioned in your post. Students are building, problem solving, and discovering new tools.I've always leaned more towards literature, reading, and the arts. I never really had any interest in the field where technology, engineering, and stem come together. It may be due to the fact that my school put more emphasis in sports and there was not much emphasis given to robotics. When I read how students built tools to solve problems in Aesops fables I was so intrigued! I never consider putting the two together and its something I would love to do in my future classroom. Reading these articles has changed my perspective and illustrated many ways it can be applied in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteCindy and Maggy, I loved the Aesops Fables robotics lesson, too!
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