Technology has certainly evolved at an exponential rate in the last few years, especially in the field of education. Just less than 30 years ago, you had to visit the library for encyclopedias to write a paper, and those had to be done by hand. Even if computers existed, not many people had one at home. Now, we have all the information about the world in the palm of our hands, readily available, and people can collaborate with others from across the globe on a variety of projects. Our way of education is changing and so are our tools; Robots are becoming part of the classroom environment. These are things people could not imagine happening so soon. In this article, however, we want to look into the future, specifically how the classes of the future will look like.
Today’s educational system has faced much scrutiny from researchers and Ed. Tech companies for being quotidian, generalized, and putting less focus on individuals thereby sidelining self-development; many concepts have been envisioned for the future, some have passed the test of time, some have not; We would like to present to you our solutions championed by researchers, scientists, and education instructors.
We foresee a more focused classroom on the individual learner, taking each student's interests, capacities, and needs into consideration while supporting the teacher and keeping the class interactive and motivated. A classroom supported by technology to aid the teachers and maximize the concept of ‘learning by doing.’ Schools in the future will be places where regardless of a person’s background or academic performance, will be treated equally. Where humans and technology become best friends and curriculums that bolster entrepreneurship and innovation since the very beginning of a student’s educational journey.
The approach of adaptive learning will be inculcated, and the core curriculum will not be limited to the classroom but be present in the entire ecosystem of the school. The classroom will encourage students to tie classroom knowledge to real-world applications, helping to reinforce principles and spark further exploration. However, what if we were to tell you that all this is possible right now?
Over 13,000 Humanoids Robots are already in Colleges & Universities: What’s Next?
Yes, in 2020, the new wave in education has arrived and is winning hearts in over 70+ countries. Our smart humanoid robots, NAO and Pepper, are at the pinnacle of innovation in A.I. and Robotics. Infused with the latest curriculum, they are ready to become a household name in the education industry at all levels, starting from elementary schools all the way to Ph.D. research.
Our robots can not only be used as teachers’ assistants to aid in classroom operations such as holding quizzes, reciting lessons, and interactions but also be used as an all in one development platform at higher levels; because of their complex inception and conglomerate hardware they can itself be studied to foster deep understanding in concepts of Physics, Art, Mechanics, and Robotics. Classroom education has never been this interactive, fun, and intelligent. Thanks to our robots, students are learning faster than ever and strengthening their STEM skills simultaneously.
With New Technology Comes a New Teaching Approach: STEM Education x Social Robots
As we look towards the future, the common core curriculum is absconding, and we are embracing the digital approaches to everything. Our paperwork has turned into a more efficient cloud database, the hours spent for a meeting are saved by virtual meetings and conferences, and our cars and homes are becoming smarter. As technology continues to evolve and change our lives, young minds will need the technical skills to fill in the jobs of the future. “If you don’t anticipate, you won’t accumulate” is a phrase we identify with here at SoftBank Robotics. We push forward the digital approach to STEM, viewing technology as vital for the early stages of one’s education. We are interested in bringing the new wave of approach to education with our humanoid robots like NAO and Pepper.
Our robots form the basis of a cross-curriculum activity, an ideal resource that can be used to teach: Mathematics, Scientific principles, Design, Technology, Computer programming languages, and over 20+ spoken languages such as English, French, Spanish, etc. In short, there are endless possibilities for what one can achieve from our autonomous robots. The use of our robots in the classroom introduces students to many career paths they may have never considered. In addition, robotics is a perfect way to show students that engineering and IT can be fun by making abstract knowledge concrete. Working with robots enhances creative problem-solving techniques and encourages the development of basic communication and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to collaborate and convey complex ideas to fellow students or colleagues.
We at Softbank are believers of “Be the change you want to see in the world ”, and try our best to provide technological innovations to transcend into the future with ease.
About Us:
SoftBank Robotics designs and manufactures interactive and friendly robots. Our aim since the beginning of our adventure has been to make robots accessible to all so that they become daily companions: “The Power of Robotics to Benefit Humanity”. In the span of fewer than 10 years, we have become the leader of the humanoid robot market. More than 25,000 SoftBank Robotics robots – NAO and Pepper – are used in more than 70 countries in various sectors, ranging from retail to tourism, health, and education.
In the Education sector, our robots have been a vital part of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through robotics. We also hold and participate in various robotics competitions and events worldwide, like the NAO challenge, RoboCup, and AcaDay, etc. Our robots have been used in different researches by hundreds of researchers and educational institutes. We have been an eminent figure in specialized education, and are working closely with developers to provide innovative solutions.
To learn more about us and our robots click here.
