I recently got a report that inspired me. By some estimates, by 2025, time spent on existing work areas will be split 50-50 between humans and machines. It is astonishing to think that we, as a species, have created technology so advanced that it can literally take over the physically taxing parts of modern labor and life. None of us should be surprised by this revolution. Just look around you—the influence of machines and robots is clearly visible in all aspects of our lives.
Robotics: Present and Future
Children’s toys and educational aids, vacuuming equipment in homes, assembly lines in factories that put together the devices we use daily, medical devices that save millions of lives every year, with deliveries via drones Experiments, and, my personal favorite – machines being used for space exploration – have robotics at the core of it all. Trust me when I say this, the prospect of learning, working and creating something new within the robot world still remains the highlight of most of my days.
This sentiment is not unique to me and is shared by many people around the world. The global robotics industry was valued at around $28 billion in 2020 and is expected to cross $73 billion by 2026, with Asia-Pacific being the largest market for it.
What is Robotics?
I’ll try to keep the answer simple – Robotics is a combination of science, technology, engineering and math with the aim of creating intelligent machines.
As a discipline, robotics includes artificial intelligence, machine learning, circuit and signal systems, functional robotics, Internet of Things, kinematics and humanoids, bio-inspired robotics… and much more.
It is becoming increasingly clear that knowledge of robotics will be an important, perhaps even a basic skill, for generations to come. It follows, that diving into the world of robotics seems like a necessary step for today’s kids.
Globally, and in India, we have seen millennial parents recognizing the long-term benefits of enrolling their children in online robotics and coding courses.
Robotics: a gimmick? Or does it have real value?
So let’s address the big, lumbering elephant in the online education room – are robotics and technology learning more about feel-good buzzwords and marketing gimmicks than real value? As the head of RoboChamps, the branch of Brightchamps for robotics, it would be easiest for me to say no. But it’s not us, so I’m going to say this — yes, this could be a marketing gimmick. That’s why it’s important for parents to really, really, deeply understand what their child stands to gain from this.
There is no question in my mind that every child stands to acquire tangible and intangible skills such as motor skills, problem-solving, cognitive ability, design thinking, technology and research aptitude, technology correlation and leadership, and many more. Robotics and other industry-inspired technical training.
But throwing out impressive-sounding words isn’t the reason I’m writing this very important piece.
Things become hazy and gimmicky when parents are caught in an emotional trap with distant dreams instead of realistic goals and clear paths to achieve them.
So, let me be clear that there is no robotics course – online or offline – that can suddenly turn every kid into a genius-scientist-inventor.
What can a good curriculum offer that is designed, created, revised and updated regularly by qualified experts that takes a child on a path that reveals a child’s innate sense of curiosity and curiosity? and subsequently, enhances it through the discipline of critical thinking. Use technology to arrive at the best routes to real world problem solving.
Along this path, a strong curriculum with a long-term vision of desired learning outcomes will also provide your child with regular opportunities for international exposure and multi-cultural student collaboration as the world is now a global village. But in the end, all the concepts, skills and originators I mentioned above serve a very simple goal of teaching children how to think and trust their thoughts, not what to think. Therefore, please choose your child’s learning partner wisely.
What I want for parents to understand is that robotics is a tool, more than anything else in the world. A very powerful tool, but a tool, nonetheless. And like any tool, it requires patience, dedication, and persistence to master.
Robotics Course: How It Benefits Children
I could go on and on about the proven benefits of one-on-one robotics courses for kids. I’m not just talking about neurotic kids here. There has been a lot of research into the many ways in which online robotics training has focused on play and learning, rather than teaching learning, can help neuro-divergent children.
In my humble opinion, one of the most profoundly life-changing is that it allows children who deal with social and learning challenges to feel secure in their own learning environment. And also pick up essential life skills very quickly and without the stress, they would have otherwise experienced.
I have always believed that the true purpose of technology is not just to make life easier for humans, but to help make the world a kinder, more inclusive place for those who will inherit it after us.
So let me leave you one final question: What do you want for your child? Fast assembly of robots based on instructions or a slow-but-deep understanding of the principles behind each creation? Your answer will tell you which robotics course is most likely to satisfy you.
The author is Head of Robotics Vertical RoboChamps, e-learning platform Brightchamps.
Disclaimer: The views, beliefs and views expressed by various authors and forum participants on this website are personal.
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