Robotics is a branch of engineering that has become an integral part of modern society. Their applications can be found from home care, to exploring places humans cannot access, and assistance in medicine and surgeries. Robotics are fostering productivity, improving health, contributing to scientific understanding and accomplishing activities humans cannot do (Yang, G & Mcnutt, 2016). In an educational context, the integration of robotics can be great learning experiences as a highly ‘multidisciplinary field that promotes teamwork, technical competency, innovation, and lifelong learning’ (Padir & Chernoval, 2013, p. 1). Through its inclusive nature, robotics can provide opportunities to teach and enrich science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education (Jung & Won, 2018).

In this week’s tutorial, it could be seen that there are various robotics tools that can be used in education. One example is Dash and Dot. Dash and Dot uses sensors that foster exploration in coding and computational thinking. Students can give commands to Dash and Dot to move, light up or detect their surroundings using various coding applications on an iPad, phone or computer.

Furthermore, Dash can be used to teach a variety of subject areas such as computational thinking as students consider problems and design algorithm to code actions by using programs such as Blockly. Through Dash, students can explore Math concepts like the number line, geometry, angles and distance, time and variables (seen in the video below). In science, Dash can be programmed teach scientific method or to imitate behaviour in the real world. It can also be used to explore storytelling as it encourages students to be creative by turning their imagination/ ideas into reality such as transforming Dot into an alarm or play tag with dash; fostering creativity. Nevertheless, Dash and Dot can be used to encourage hands-on play and learning that foster creativity, problem-solving and computational thinking.

Dash and Dot is suitable for students 6 and over (Wonder Workshop, 2019), making it suitable across different stages. It is evident that Dash and Dot links to the curriculum outcomes such as Design and Technologies and Digital Technologies and is an effective way of teaching STEM education. When dealing with Robotics, it is important that to understand that issues can arise (Khanlari, 2016). When dealing with Dash and Dot in the tutorial, I found that robotics will always have its flaws and may not always respond in a certain way. It can often become delayed or act on its own. Therefore, it is important to be aware of how to integrate robotics effectively in lessons so it does not hamper student’s learning.

References

Jung, S., & Won, E. S. (2018). Systematic review of research trends in robotics education for young children. Sustainability, 10(4), 905.

Khanlari, A. (2016). Teachers’ perceptions of the benefits and the challenges of integrating educational robots into primary/elementary curricula. European Journal of Engineering Education, 41(3), 320-330.

Padir, T. & Chernova. S. (2013). Guest Editorial Special Issue on Robotics Education. IEEE Transactions on Education, 1-2. Retrieved from https://ieeexplore-ieee-org.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6142652&tag=1

Wonder Workshop. (2019). Dash. 2019 Wonder Workshop, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.makewonder.com/robots/dash/

Yang, G & Mcnutt. M. (2016). Robotics Takes Off. Science Editorial, 1255. Retrieved from https://science-sciencemag-org.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/content/sci/352/6291/1255.full.pdf