Coding and robotics are becoming increasingly more important in schools due to the rise of technology in our everyday lives. By learning to code and work with robots, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. These skills are essential for success in the 21st century job market.
Coding (virtual environment) serves as the foundation for the modern digital world, with students being the designers of various applications. Different coding languages are applied to different fields. For instance, Java is used for desktop software, Android apps, and websites. JavaScript was specifically designed for in-browser applications such as Gmail and eBay. C is used for writing computer operating systems and device drivers, while C++ is primarily used for 3D gaming software. The latest coding language, Python, is employed to introduce scripting to students before they specialise in a particular area. Learning to code enables you to understand and solve the problems we encounter in our daily lives, making it a powerful tool for changing the world. You can code apps or websites to improve and simplify life.
Programming of robotics (physical environment) is an excellent exercise for the brain, enhancing problem-solving and logical abilities. For example, you can program a robot to navigate a given route, similar to a GPS application. By following a specific set of rules, you can automate tasks. This can also make life easier in any future job!
Programming is also closely connected to mechanical and electrical engineering. It requires the ability to build machines that fulfill specific missions. Whether it's a robot that avoids obstacles, a mechanism used in medical operations, a machine that automates functions in a factory or transforms your house into an IoT (Internet of Things) environment (i.e. security/remote controlled gates/doors that are automated through Wi-Fi/Bluetooth functions etc), physical products manipulated through programming are essential.
Coding and robotics can help students learn other subjects such as math, science, and engineering. For example, programming a robot to move in a certain way requires students to understand concepts such as distance, speed, and angles. Additionally, coding can help students understand mathematical concepts by visualising them in a practical way.
A great example of this is the baseball field (Robofest Hit Game 2017). The learners can work out how many degrees* a robot drives in 10 cm and how many degrees it needs to turn 90 degrees. When they measure all the lines in the baseball field, they can mathematically work out how to program the robot to complete the field without wasting time and battery power.
*The wheel size determines how many degrees are needed for a robot to move a specific distance. For example: The wheel size (circumference) of a standard LEGO robot is 17,5cm which is equal to 360 degrees - one full rotation of a wheel. Therefore, you can overlay a square grid (of 17,5cm x 17,5 cm) onto a playing field to make it more visual for the learners to understand how far a robot will move when programmed to move for a certain number of degrees. Using simple math you can calculate that this robot will need about 20,5 degrees for each centimeter it moves. You can also use the right angles of the grid to work out how many degrees are needed to turn a specific robot 90 degrees.
They also need to learn where to stop the robot so that it will have the correct angle to hit the ball over the fence! It all ends up in Math in Action!
Furthermore, coding and robotics can also help students develop soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. By working on group projects, students learn to collaborate, delegate tasks, and communicate effectively to achieve a common goal.
In conclusion, coding and robotics are important in schools because they prepare students for the future job market and help them develop essential skills for success.
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