Robots are not only fun and engaging, but also powerful tools for teaching and learning various skills and concepts. However, to make the most of their potential, you need to integrate them with other digital tools and platforms that support your curriculum and pedagogy. In this article, you will learn how to do that in five steps.
When selecting robots to suit your learning goals, students' needs, and budget, there are many types to choose from. Consider the age and level of your students, the subject and topic you want to teach or explore, the skills and competencies you want to develop or assess, the features and functions of the robot, as well as its compatibility and connectivity with other devices and platforms. These factors will help you decide which type of robot is best for your needs.
From the perspective of robotics in manufacturing and fabrication: A robot program is created by an individual. Teaching this skill to a group of students can be difficult because it is easy to lose the attention of some in a larger group. Using digital tools like screen sharing on a larger monitor help the group stay engages because they can see the pendant and programming steps in a larger format. Picking the right robot cell so students can get "up close and personal" is also important. In some cases, a collaborative robot (COBOT) makes more sense because it is designed to operate with humans in its work envelope.
The second step is to plan the learning activities that involve the robots and other digital tools and platforms. It's important to design the activities in a way that aligns with the learning outcomes and standards, while providing clear instructions and expectations for the students. The challenge and support should be balanced, and collaboration and communication among the students should be encouraged. Additionally, the robots and other tools should be integrated in a meaningful and authentic way, while feedback and reflection should be incorporated into the process.
Getting hands-on time with a robot arm and creating your first robot program ASAP is crucial. However, the next step should be to understand and maintain existing robot code. Because in reality, 99% of the time will be spent with existing code that someone else wrote. Even when starting a new project, you will most likely start with a template rather than from scratch.
The third step is to prepare the resources and materials necessary for the learning activities. Before, during, and after the activities, you should check the availability and functionality of the robots and other devices, as well as the accessibility and reliability of the platforms and software. Additionally, you should consider any safety and ethical issues related to the robots and other tools, as well as have materials and supplies for building, programming, or controlling them. Lastly, you should have documentation and assessment tools for recording and evaluating the learning.
When it comes to resources, I think we need to look at the simulation side of the software. It allows programmers to test their programs before implementing them on the robot, reducing the risk of errors or accidents. It also helps identify and resolve potential issues that may arise during start-up phase, saving time and money in the long run
The fourth step is to implement the learning activities with robots and other digital tools and platforms. It is important to monitor and facilitate the engagement and motivation, interaction and cooperation, problem-solving and critical thinking, creativity and innovation, troubleshooting and debugging, as well as the adjustment and differentiation of the activities for the students.
Robot programming is a "personal experience". Each student needs their own time to work with the robot, get to know it, and understand how to use it. The more time they spend with it, the better they become. Think of it like driver's education. The more time behind the wheel, the better driver you become. Plan your program and resources to give the students open access to the robot. Pick a robotic platform that is easy to learn through intuitive user interface and operations. In my experience, cobots offer the fastest, easiest way to teach students robotic automation for a manufacturing and fabrication applications.
The fifth step is to evaluate the learning outcomes of the activities with the robots and other digital tools and platforms. To measure and improve the learning, observation and analysis of the students' performance and behavior should be conducted, as well as collecting feedback and reflection from both the students and yourself. Additionally, it is beneficial to review their portfolio, evidence of work, rubric and criteria of learning objectives, and consider revising or extending activities.
It's important to let people get their hands dirty. Instead of having students complete quizzes, challenge them to keep a robot running for 3 days straight!