If you are thinking about purchasing robots for schools, this guide could help you find the perfect option based on what you really need. Sure, you might want a robot, but do you know why it's good specifically for your school and how you could get the most out of it?
He best robots for schools can help students learn about engineering, design, construction, and coding, to name a few STEM subjects. These robots can offer a great way to provide hands-on experience in building machinery, but also coding your software.
Before investing, it is worth thinking about who it is for, in terms of age group but also subject area. Some bots have simple builds, while others offer multiple complex coding options. Since the price varies widely, it's worth limiting uses before you start spending.
Read on to find out everything you need to think about before purchasing robots for schools.
What is it for?
Deciding what your robot is for should be the starting point. This will help you determine if you want something that is complex and needs to be built from scratch, or if you are more interested in something that can be put together or comes pre-built.
Consequently, the age group to which it will be offered is a primary concern. Then, the next thing is how they use it: thinking about whether to give importance to construction, coding, or a combination of both.
Also consider storage, as you may want just one or several robots to serve the needs of a class or multiple age groups. In either case, they will need storage space and you may also want to think about charging needs for continued use.
Developing complexity is important as it could be something children can work on alone or in groups. Or this could be something more complex requiring dedicated teaching time and hands-on assistance from the educator. Basically, think about how you spend your time and money when you invest here.
Programming
Since construction is only one part of using robots in education, it's important to think about the programming side of things as well. Once that bot has been created, it will be time to start coding actions that allow it to move and generate real-world results that can be very exciting and empowering for students.
With this in mind, do you want a simple block-based coding system that any age can handle and that offers immediate results for that instant reward? Or are you looking to use these robots as a way to teach more complex coding?
Some robots have multiple code languages that can be used with the system, allowing for a wide range of teaching options. These can also be useful for teaching real code that students may use one day in their work.
Expansion
Some robots are designed to be built once and then used with variations in coding. However, there are some robots that are part of a larger potential system and grow as more are added.
Block-based style robots can include add-on options, allowing you to expand what's available. Some offer new sensors or motor parts to make the robot more interactive or more agile, for example. These can represent a good way to expand as students' skills grow, but also when the budget allows for longer periods of time.
That said, some of these systems offer deals where you can purchase many parts in advance as a way to save money; you can then add them as options as students progress toward a standard and can add more to the mix. .
Characteristics
The individual characteristics of each robot option that exists are quite varied. Do you want a robot that can walk or are you looking for a rolling robot friend that focuses more on managing controls for students?
Maybe terrain variation is also key? You may want a drone that can fly, a boat that can navigate water, or a climbing robot that can traverse obstacles.
An important feature worth considering is the controls. Check if the robot is compatible with iOS or Android, as that may mean easy controls via a smartphone or tablet, which you may already have available.
Sensors are a consideration as they represent the limits of your robot. If it's packed with sensors to see, hear, feel, and more, then it increases the number of options for encoding new adventures and experiences. Robots that allow you to add more sensors as students progress are a good idea to help develop learning.
Prices
The price of robots varies greatly and, as we have already mentioned, it is important to know what you want it for before you start spending.
A robot that offers multiple coding languages will likely cost more up front, but can represent a much broader learning experience for a broader range of student ages and abilities, perhaps justifying that extra cost.
Opting for a more basic bot that is easy to build and use could also be useful as an entry experience that introduces students to learning without being too challenging. This will be limited to a certain age and skill range, but it could be worth it as it may spark a love of STEM learning in a child who previously didn't know they were passionate about it.
Be sure to check warranty periods, as well as the cost of replacement parts, to ensure you are prepared for ongoing costs.
