In the last blog, I posted about 3D Printing and Designing as an essential tool for many Makerspaces. Of course, educational technology is advancing dramatically and Makerpsaces often are the first places where we can meet these technologies. In this blog, I will write about the rise of Lego Robotics and its contribution to the earlier childhood education. Let's begin with defining each terms separately.
LEGO is a favorite word for many kids as it is highly associated with entertainment and games. However, LEGO serves more than just tools for gaming and having fun. It improves the critical and constructive thinking of kids and helps them to grow smart. The world "Lego" is an abbreviation of the two Danish words "leg godt", which means "play well" (Lego Group). The Lego Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen and today is considered one of the largest Toy Company by revenue.
So, what is Robotics or Robot?
A robot is: "a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer" (Horwitz, 2014). Robots basically consists of two main parts or in other words, systems: hardware, a physical part (case, schema, chips, etc. ) and software, a computer program that specifically was made to control the robot. And the process of making a robot is called robotics. Based on the level complexity of robot, we need to have curtain constructing and coding skills to build a robot. In 1998, a Lego Group released its first Lego Mindstorms, in other words, started producing Lego Robotics, which means that kids were able to bring their construction into life. Today, many educational institutions, libraries and Makerspaces actively use Lego Robotics to help kids grow creative and innovative. Here is a short video about Lego Robotics:
LEGO is a favorite word for many kids as it is highly associated with entertainment and games. However, LEGO serves more than just tools for gaming and having fun. It improves the critical and constructive thinking of kids and helps them to grow smart. The world "Lego" is an abbreviation of the two Danish words "leg godt", which means "play well" (Lego Group). The Lego Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen and today is considered one of the largest Toy Company by revenue.
So, what is Robotics or Robot?
A robot is: "a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer" (Horwitz, 2014). Robots basically consists of two main parts or in other words, systems: hardware, a physical part (case, schema, chips, etc. ) and software, a computer program that specifically was made to control the robot. And the process of making a robot is called robotics. Based on the level complexity of robot, we need to have curtain constructing and coding skills to build a robot. In 1998, a Lego Group released its first Lego Mindstorms, in other words, started producing Lego Robotics, which means that kids were able to bring their construction into life. Today, many educational institutions, libraries and Makerspaces actively use Lego Robotics to help kids grow creative and innovative. Here is a short video about Lego Robotics:
For more readings:
Having seen lego robotics before, this was familiar territory. However, I never knew that lego was an abbreviation! I think that lego robotics would be such a great way to support student learning in a variety of ways! Thanks for sharing, Lutfullo!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome. Always happy to read your comments.
DeleteHi Lutfullo,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us such an interesting topic with so many messages like videos and additional readings! Lego is one of my favorite. With different pieces, Lego can trickle my imaginative minds and make me create anything I want. Nothing cannot be resolved with Lego, if one cannot, then two!
Hi Jenny,
DeleteYes, I like Lego as well. I mostly interested in programming a lego robots rather than constructing. Thanks for comment.
Hi Lutt,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with this interesting post. I don't know about other countries, but lego robotics is in its early stage of popularity in Kyrgyz Republic. As I work in a network of schools, from my experience I know that incorporating lego robotics into classes is challeging. First of all, there needs to be an instructor on these technologies. Hence we need to hire additonal staff or spend money on training someone from our current staff. Secondly, these technologies are not cheap. Lastly, an appropriately designed instruction is needed for facilitating learning and interest of students in these technologies.
Thank you for this post. Looking forward to your future posts about this topic.
Thanks for the comment Aidar. Indeed, the situation is the almost the same as in your country. A place that I used to work was one of the fewest places, which conducted lego robotics clubs.
DeleteI LOVE LEGOS! My 3 year old daughter has just discovered legos and it amazing how creative even a toddler can be with them! I really enjoyed your blog topic this week and enjoyed learning how scientific legos can be!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading. I will keep posting more fun and innovative technology ideas in the future posts.
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