Robotics for Children
Julio Vega, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain)
Abstract
The idea of incorporating new technologies in the school system can be very beneficial for teenagers, but depends largely on teachers. Without an appropiated preparation about the use and benefits of the technology, teachers will not prepared to implement the technology in the classroom.
This article describes the pedagogical theoretical base, the design, development and evaluation of a Robotics course performed to kids, which might fall within the area of Technology. The results obtained after the completion of this course demonstrate the efficiency of educational constructivism and creative ideas, and robotics as a vehicle for transmission of the values underlying these theories to students.
The Robotics turns out to be a great ally of Mathematics or Physics because of their power to young people to unleash their imagination and creativity. Thus, the development of robotic devices for different purposes, can be used to clarify abstract concepts often difficult to assimilate children: measurement, mechanics, Planning, programming, mathematical problem formulation, optimization, limits, etc..