Hands-On Robotics

 Exploring How Robotics Can Enhance Computational Thinking and Creativity in Young Learners

As technology continues to advance, robotics provides a hands-on experience for children to explore their interests while acquiring valuable life skills (Berry, 2013). This post will discuss how utilising programmable toys promotes development of computational thinking and creativity skills, including misconceptions. The National Curriculum (Department of Education (DfE), 2013, p179) emphasises students learn the key ideas and principles of computer science and how to manage ‘controlling or simulating physical systems’, such as robots. Supported by videos, this blog will go into greater detail on why using robots is essential to learning in computing.

Computational thinking refers to taking a complex problem, understanding what it is, and constructing practical solutions that can be demonstrated ‘in a way that a computer, a human, or both, can understand’ (BBC, 2019). These include four key aspects that should be taught in primary education:

1. Decomposition - breaking problems into smaller, manageable parts.
2. Abstraction - focusing on significant information.
3. Pattern recognition - spotting trends between and within problems.
4. Algorithms - step-by-step solutions to solve a problem. 

Berry (2013, p4) describes how these enable us ‘to solve problems, design systems, and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence’. Students must therefore cultivate computational thinking as a 'life skill' (Csizmadia, A. et al., 2015, p16) by gaining an understanding of how machines function.

Bee-Bots and Pro-bots are two examples of robots that can be used in Early Years, Key Stage 1 and 2. Whilst teachers encourage creative learning through curiosity, students can experiment and problem-solve to complete activities using the robots (Baroutsis et al., 2019). Berry (2013, p26) gave emphasis to the benefits of nurturing this 'curiosity, creativity and courage' in early childhood, which can reflect ‘through education and into adult life'. Looking into how children can be creative with computational thinking, Bee-Bots set a good example. They have 7 commands: forward, back, turn left, turn right, go, pause, and clear. By pressing these buttons, a sequence of actions can be processed for the Bee-Bot to follow. Below are videos of configurations produced by Bee-Bots I programmed. 

This first video shows a square being made:

Then, I made letters of the alphabet. This clip shows the Bee-Bot outlining an 'F': 

Children who learn computational thinking are better able to comprehend how technology, communication, and information is accessed (DfE, 2013). Jones (2014) stressed that computing should be taught in primary, not because teachers expect every child to become a computer scientist or a web designer (although the subject may inspire those aspirations), but because pupils should understand how the world around us works. Common misconceptions include the belief that things happen by ‘magic’ (Jones, 2014), rather they occur through a series of operations to complete a function. Phone calls, accessing the internet, and navigating traffic signals are real-world circumstances where children can observe operations being utilised.  

Thus, students who master computational thinking skills can tackle a variety of problems and find innovative, self-assured, and efficient solutions. Exploring the implementation of robotics in computing has shown me how crucial it is to put theory into practice. Given it has demonstrated to be an effective tool for developing computational thinking skills, I am excited to use robotics in my future teaching to disprove previously said misconceptions, due to weak subject knowledge, through hands-on experiences and enhance their creativity (DfE, 2019).

Reference List:

Baroutsis, A. et al. ‘Computational thinking as a foundation for coding: Developing student engagement and learning' 2019.

BBC. “Introduction to Computational Thinking - Revision 1 - KS3 Computer Science - BBC Bitesize.” BBC Bitesize, BBC, 2019, www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zp92mp3/revision/1. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

Berry, Miles . COMPUTING at SCHOOL Computing a CPD Toolkit for Primary Teachers 2015.

Berry, Miles. Computing in the National Curriculum : A Guide for Primary Teachers. Great Britain, Computing At School, 2013. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.   

Csizmadia, A. et al.  Computational thinking: A guide for teachers. Computing At School 2015.

Department for Education. ITT Core Content Framework . Department for Education, 2019.

Department for Education. The National Curriculum in England Key Stages 1 and 2 Framework Document. Sept. 2013.

TEDx Talks. “Teaching Creative Computer Science: Simon Peyton Jones at TEDxExeter.” YouTube, 29 Apr. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia55clAtdMs. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.