Robot programming education, this seemingly profound humanoid intelligent electronic product, is entering classrooms and popular education. There are still many problems faced by the entry of robots into education. For instance, are robots like those we usually see in movies? Is robot education just treating robots as toys? Is robot education merely learning to program? Indeed, robot education is still a novelty and has areas that need to be developed and improved. We need to consider comprehensively to promote its healthy development.
Robot Subject Instruction (RSI)
Robot Subject Instruction refers to regarding robotics as a science. In all levels and types of education, through specialized courses, all students universally master the basic knowledge and skills of robotics. Its teaching goals are as follows:
- Knowledge goal: Understand the basic knowledge in aspects such as robot software engineering, hardware structure, functions, and applications.
- Skill goal: Be able to design and write robot programs, assemble various robots with practical functions, be able to use and maintain robots and smart home appliances, and be able to independently develop software to control robots.
- Emotional goal: Cultivate an interest in artificial intelligence technology and truly recognize the role of intelligent robots in social progress and economic development.
The Forms of Robot Programming Education Entering Basic Education
Robot programming education has entered university education and is included in the courses of related majors such as artificial intelligence and automation. From course theory to course practice, it has gradually matured. The possibility and inevitability of robot programming education entering ordinary primary and secondary schools are also emerging. However, due to the differences in age and thinking characteristics between primary and secondary school students and college students, the possibility of drawing on the experience of colleges and universities is relatively small. Currently, the form of intelligent robot education entering primary and secondary schools is mainly manifested in competition activities. Through competitions, students’ robot design and innovation abilities are stimulated, and with a model force, it is promoted to fully enter the curriculum. For example, the Kaka Le Robot Programming has students participating in the Henan Province Youth Robot Competition, the Zhengzhou City Youth Robot Competition, and the hosted IRO International Robot Competition every year. Observing the methods of robot programming education in primary and secondary schools across various regions, they can be roughly divided into several types.
- Through units such as schools, children’s palaces, and science and technology stations, attract robot enthusiasts to form intelligent robot study groups. Activities are conducted in the form of a student membership system, and they can represent the region in various competition activities. This form is the earliest, most common, and most effective way for robots to enter the vision of primary and secondary school students.
- Incorporate the learning of intelligent robot technology into comprehensive practical activity courses for popularization. It is very common in large and medium-sized cities, and the establishment situation is relatively more mature than in economically less developed areas. Currently, many primary and secondary schools offer robot club courses, and the teachers of Kaka Le Robot Programming are fortunate to become the promoters of robot programming courses entering the classroom.
- Incorporate intelligent robots as one of the contents of information technology courses into the information technology education curriculum of primary and secondary schools. This form is in the formative stage, and the compilation of teaching materials and the regular offering of courses are just starting. Of course, this will undoubtedly bring new vitality to the information technology discipline and also improve the current situation where information technology education focuses more on software application and less on programming development.
- Intelligent robot education enters middle schools in the form of research-based courses. Due to the increasing emphasis on research-based learning courses and the long-term and individualized nature of robot education, if promoted through the form of research-based learning, it will be more conducive to the cultivation of students’ innovation abilities. However, due to the insufficient class hours determined by the status of research-based courses and the difficulty in organization caused by large class sizes, the overall advancement of robot programming education will be affected.
The Development Trends of Basic Robot Education
First, towards personalized education development
We have witnessed the popularity speed of electronic products like palm-sized English learning machines, as well as their value and role in English education. Even in terms of content, they are developing towards multi-disciplinary and diversity, and in terms of update methods, they are developing towards networking. Educational robots can completely do the same. With their intelligent and miniaturized characteristics, they can become one of the main forces of personalized education.