iPads in the Classroom Today, Robots Tomorrow

Source: Latitude

A new study by the education technology research firm Latitude, done in collaboration with Lego Learning Institute, said robotics open up new ways of learning by blurring the line between play and work. Robots can also help students work at their own pace and enhance their ability to be self-directed, according to the study.


According to Latitude:

...our study isn’t about robots, per se; it’s about something much bigger. Robots are a useful
proxy for understanding kids’ social, creative and learning aspirations in ways that might be more illuminating than if we engaged them directly on such issues. Robots allow kids to project their weaknesses, strengths and ambitions. Of course, they’re also the embodiment of AI, helping us understand generally how we might want to interact with a whole new breed of machine intelligence in the future.

The basis of the study was a survey designed around asking 350 "kid-innovators" aged eight to 12 how things would change if robots were part of their everyday lives. The results indicate that children have a very human view of robots. Instead of machines that get tasks done for them, these digital natives see robots as ideal humans, able to help them at various tasks and make them feel comfortable socially.

"Robots are better versions of our teachers and parents, offering limitless time and patience, encouraging confidence and self-direction, and allowing us to make mistakes sans self-consciousness," according to the study. In addition, the study's authors argue that robots can help remove any social stigma related learning at school.

Perhaps the most common type of robot used today for education is LEGO Mindstorms which helps teach children how to program the device's sensors and motion control. The pictures students in the study drew were commonly of humanoid robots that act as companions to children's daily lives, alternating between play companion and homework helper.

“The robot is like a new friend for me. It helps me with my homework. It can do it much better than my parents because it knows exactly how to explain the lessons to a kid like me. The robot is very smart and can answer a lot of questions for me and tell me interesting stories. He always reminds me of all possible things, which I would have otherwise forgotten.” —Boy, 9, Germany

Robots are yet another form of technology that people can expect to come into contact with. How effective they are at enhancing education will depend on how they're designed and used.  South Korea is already experimenting with robots as surrogate teachers to teach English, and is expanding the program.


It's not surprising that children have an idealized view of what robots are, based on media exposure and their view of technology. The study is part a healthy debate over the appropriate role of technology in classrooms, with many arguing that technology should enhance face-to-face collaboration between students and teachers, rather than replace it.