Students who learn to code obviously gain coding skills, but there are other soft skills they will learn as well. For example, by using a robot kit, students can learn both to build the bot and to code its behavior. As part of a group or team, they learn to work together, divide labor, and set priorities. These and other skills are often transferrable to future jobs or classes, making coding a valuable activity for students.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Coding requires critical thinking. It takes time and energy to understand the problem and figure out the best way to tackle it. Is the drone kit they just coded not flying as expected? Why not? Exploring the cause and effect relationship, which can be seen immediately in bots after loading a program, can help students identify the problem in the code, and give them clues about how to fix it. They might have to analyze lines of code until an error is found or come up with an entirely new code to deal with a problem that arises. They might have to get creative in their problem-solving or look to their peers’ code for ideas, building upon each other’s work.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Building and coding a programmable robot is a natural outlet for teamwork and collaboration. First comes designing the bot as a team, and after building it, multiple people can work on the code. Learning how others created their code, asking questions, and working together to find a solution to a problem are all valuable skills learned through coding as a team. Communication is a large part of building and programming a bot, especially if the builders are not the coders. In the professional world, it’s essential that coders communicate clearly with their team or clients, so these are great skills for students to practice. They will need to be able to interpret task requirements and what’s possible in a given time frame.

Persistence

Code doesn’t always do exactly what the coder intended. Something might go wrong or there might be errors that are difficult to troubleshoot. It takes persistence to figure out how to get the drone to fly exactly how the student intended. Whether it’s the drone using its sensors and flying using a pre-determined program, or using a remote, it’s possible something is off, and the drone unexpectedly crashes to the ground. Finding and fixing problem after problem until the programming works correctly requires persistence. When confronted with an obstacle, they won’t give up—they will code around it. If something doesn’t work, they’ll have to go back and try again, tweaking the code until the bot completes its task.

Patience

Coding requires patience. It is often not a fast process and can be frustrating. It involves reading, researching, and practice, and coding languages are constantly evolving. Coders never stop learning. Taking the time to pay attention to small details is the key to a successful program, requiring a resilience that only comes through patience. They will make mistakes, and it will be frustrating, but patience and persistence will see them grow as a coder and find a solution.

About Robolink

Since 2012, Robolink has encouraged students to engage with STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) using cute, fun, educational robotics kits that are packed with real tech. The Robolink team is passionate about robotics, engineering, and education.They believe in nurturing future inventors and innovators, operating two learning centers in San Diego, CA. They also run after-school programs in 15 elementary and middle schools throughout San Diego County. Making STEM education accessible, engaging, and fun for both students and hobbyists is their ultimate goal.

Gain new skills and learn to code with bots at Robolink.com

Original Source: https://bit.ly/2n5dfoz

Getting students to learn an entirely new language is hard. Learning multiple coding languages can be even more daunting, but tackling those challenges has become an important aspect of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education. With technology taking over the world, there are plenty of reasons it’s important for students to learn how to code.

It’s a Digital World

Technology is everywhere. Coding and computer literacy are becoming as important as reading, writing, and math. Learning how to code on a programmable robot can help students understand the world around them better. Most people don’t understand how technology works, and often take it for granted. Sufficiently advanced technology can appear to be magic unless the systems and coding that make it work are understood. This gives students a greater appreciation for the technology working all around them. Coding can have a real-world impact, which increases engagement as students see how they can effect the world around them.

Coding Builds Career Skills

Coding is a skill that can quickly turn into a career. Oracle noted in 2015 that there were 6.8 million job openings in the U.S. that required coding skills. They predicted that there would be a 7.2% growth across all jobs requiring coding skills in the next 10 years. The ability to build a robot kit and program it will teach skills that can transfer to any number of jobs across a variety of job sectors. Plus, coding experience can give students a competitive advantage when applying for colleges and scholarships.

Coding Teaches Creative Problem-Solving and Collaboration

When coding, there can be multiple viable answers to a problem. Students learn creativity and critical thinking while solving these problems. They can express themselves in this language, creating their own code and breaking complex problems down into smaller, solvable parts. They learn persistence and to keep working at a complex problem until it is solved.

Students can use teamwork, tackling different parts of the problem, and in turn, learn collaboration and communication. Figuring out how to make a drone kit fly around obstacles by following the code that a team created teaches all of these skills. A team can use the kit to learn how to code a flying drone, enter it in competition, and work to win through persistence and creative problem-solving. These skills directly translate to experience that’s useful in careers and life.

Coding Activates the Brain

A 2014 study found that five different parts of the brain were activated while students analyzed code for comprehension. The sections were related to memory, attention, and language processing. Language processing, in particular, was deemed essential to understanding the program and how it worked.

Encourage Diversity and Inclusivity

Anyone can learn to code. Any race, gender, or religion can sit down at a computer and write code. Encouraging this diversity and inclusivity early on in a student’s life can lead to more diversity and inclusivity in STEM fields later in life.

About Robolink

Established in 2012, Robolink encourages students to engage with STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) using robotics kits that are fun, cute, and packed with real tech. They are passionate about robotics, engineering, and education, and believe in nurturing future inventors and innovators. They currently operate in two learning centers in San Diego, CA, and run after-school programs in 15 elementary and middle schools throughout San Diego County. Their mission is to make STEM education accessible, engaging, and fun for both students and hobbyists.

See for yourself how Robolink’s educational robot and drone kits can help you or your classroom learn to code at Robolink.com

Original Source: http://bit.ly/2LsiIhA