Coding and Robotics for Social Good: How Kids Can Use Technology to Make a Positive Impact on Society

Coding was and has been present from the beginning of the technology era because even the largest or smallest computer device needed to be coded.

Robotics is a new technology field that is majorly dominated by AI (Artificial Intelligence) worldwide.

We will have a look at coding and robotics for social good and how kids can use technology to make a positive impact on society.

Technology has advanced greatly over the years and will still keep growing exponentially. Advances in AI, machine learning, robotics, and other technologies have increased the pace of change tenfold.

These developments can improve the speed, quality, and cost of goods and services.

Coding is a set of instructions that a robot can interpret and follow. Robotics is the application of electronics, mechanics, and programming tools to program robots to do certain tasks.

Robots are capable of executing things that humans are unable to do. In robotics, both block-based and text-based coding is utilized. Coding is the method of interacting with computers.

Coding is simply the implementation of an algorithm in a programming language (such as C++, Python, or Java). It is the translation of logic into real code that can be read by humans and machines.

Robotics allows learners to witness their thoughts in action as they go through trial and error until the mission is completed and the robot’s motions are executed as intended.

Kids and The Use of Technology

Parenting children of today’s generation comes with a unique set of challenges due to the many recent advancements in technology. There is no denying the reach technology has in our lives, as well as the lives of our children.

Kids have access to screens all around them. Many homes have multiple television sets, computers, tablets, and phones for children to find and play with.

And some children even have access to their own tablet and phone, starting at a young age. Research shows that the average 8- to 10-year-old spends almost 8 hours a day with a variety of media, and older children and teenagers spend around 11 hours per day with media.

That time adds up, and young people are spending more time with technology than they do in school.

Hand a smartphone or tablet to a toddler, chances are they’ll figure out how to open it and make some in-app purchases in a matter of seconds. The technological boom means that children are becoming computer experts at a very young age.

Elementary school kids have classes on computers, and many of them have been using their computers and tablets at home well before they start school.

As kids are learning from a very young age about technology, they’re making huge strides as they grow in being prepared for schooling, future careers, innovation, and more.

Robotics and coding education for kids in school is becoming increasingly popular as kids realize how fun and exciting these types of programs can be also schools are beginning to see the need to implement this education early in the life of the kids so they can also keep up with the pace in technological advancement and learning.

Besides being fun, robotics and coding can also help kids to be creative and innovative which is very important in making society a better place and for influencing a greater and better future for the world.

How Coding And Robotics Can Help Kids Grow and Be of Positive Influence to Society

Coding and robotics can help in a child’s development by providing hands-on learning and innovative education. Robotics encourages innovative ideas and creativity. It also allows kids to prepare for the future while simultaneously having fun. Robotics opens children up to a whole new technological world. Below are the benefits coding and robotics provide to kids;

1. Robotics prepares children for future career development

As the modern workforce increasingly turns to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, the need for technology experts, computer programmers, and software engineers is increasing.

Modern companies, in various industries, have technology-based systems.

These companies often have complicated and unique technological needs, therefore, they look for graduates with STEM skills.

Introducing kids to programming through robotics helps to prepare them to face the competitive workforce in the future.

Even if they never end up in robotics, they can develop numerous other skills such as website design, drone design, video game programming, and mobile app creation. This helps in reducing the tendency of unemployment and unskilled workers in society in the future.

2. Sparks Creativity

Creativity is a skill you can train best by switching between open and closed modes in your brain activity. Robotics and programming is a skill that allows for both modes – the more explorative and playful (open) one and the more rigid and tunnel-visioned (closed) one.

Play-based learning is actually one of the best ways to train these two modes.

Robotics and coding spark curiosity. Both programs encourage kids to use their imagination to the fullest.

When kids start to question how things around them work and how they are developed, they will get on a path to innovation. Robotics encourages kids to think outside the box and come up with original ideas.

This happens as they try to find new and innovative ways to use their robots. Overall, learning about robotics can assist children in acquiring critical thinking and creativity skills.

3. Coding and Robotics helps kids to increase their problem-solving abilities

According to a study conducted by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and The Open University of Israel, (Robotics projects and learning concepts in science, technology, and problem-solving) learning robotics helps many young kids solve challenges in a creative way.

It also claims that many children could benefit from a variety of learning possibilities by participating in robotics projects.

The study revealed that young children frequently solved problems ingeniously and spontaneously. In robotics projects, children work largely with qualitative knowledge and the capacity to recognize particular phenomena that influence system performance.

4. Helps Kids Develop Teamwork Skills

Through a coding or robotics program, kids work on their teamwork skills which can help to encourage them to be innovative. Many times working with others can spark new ideas that can lead to creations kids may have never thought about before.

This is a win-win as kids learn to work together and get the inspiration they need to develop new ideas. It promotes a culture of teamwork irrespective of different talents possessed by different kids.

5. Robotics teaches kids to handle and overcome failure

Robotics can help kids view failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. At every level of education, children may run across difficulties and setbacks while creating and programming robots.

These setbacks, nevertheless, can provide youngsters with priceless teaching moments that foster perseverance and resilience.

Children can acquire a growth mindset and learn to view failure as a chance to learn and progress by overcoming these obstacles and learning from their mistakes.

For example:

If a child’s robot isn’t working the way it should, they may need to use their imagination to troubleshoot the issue and come up with a fix. Children learn to think critically through the process of creative problem-solving skills.

At an early age learning robotics from scratch, it gives lots of confidence for kids to build and come up with new ideas. In the beginning, they were unable to create things.

Practicing more projects gives them a positive “I can do it” attitude. And this attitude makes them take challenges, and risks, and come up with new successes.

6. Robotics helps to build self-confidence

The importance of learning robotics is that it helps your children to experience a sense of pride and success. Especially when they succeed in building their projects and making them work in the real world.

If the kid starts learning robotics at a young age, it will be more advantageous in building self-confidence.

This encourages students to believe in their abilities and realize their potential.

Furthermore, they make considerable accomplishments by competing in robotics competitions and olympiads. Robotics cultivates patience, tenacity, and determination via multiple designs and testing different versions.

If your child is preparing for any competition, it will boost their confidence in participating.

7. Robotics encourages female students to participate in STEM

Robotics help empower young girls and challenge the traditional belief that STEM-based fields are male-dominated. This helps in female gender inclusion and eradicates segregation when it comes to the field.

Conclusion

Overall, many research studies have proven that learning coding and robotics helps kids develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.

It can also help them see the potential for using technology to solve problems and improve the world around them. This helps them even as they grow and increase in age and it will serve them well throughout their lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are coding and robotics for social good?

Coding and robotics for social good refer to the use of programming and robotic technologies to address social, environmental, or humanitarian challenges and make a positive impact on society. It involves applying coding skills and robotics knowledge to develop innovative solutions addressing issues such as education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, accessibility, and more.

What are the benefits of robotics and coding?

Analytical, critical, pragmatic, and creative thinking abilities are developed and taught through robotics and coding. As a result, it is easy to understand why employers seek out candidates with these skills. People who have knowledge and training in robotics and coding can think in ways that many others cannot.

What is the main purpose of robotics?

Robotics is a field of engineering that applies the conception, design, manufacture, and operation of robots. The goal of the field of robotics is to develop smart machines that can help people in various ways.