Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9

Beyond textbooks : The Role of Coding, Robotics, and AI in 21st-Century Education

Artificial intelligence, robotics, and programming– the society today is largely driven by new-age technologies. With the rapid digitization of the world, the trailblazers of tomorrow, our children must be empowered with the right skills and knowledge.

Introduce students to the enchanting world of AI, the secret code of coding, and the captivating power of robotics from their earliest days. These are not just subjects; they are the keys to unlocking the limitless potential within them.

Importance of Coding, Robotics, and AI in 21st Century Education

New-age technologies are becoming a part of every industry. Learning the in-demand skills opens doors to a range of career options for students, be it in healthcare, finance, banking, or others.
Moreover, a recent study suggests that coding improves the mathematical reasoning skills as well as the critical thinking of children. Thus, improving the overall performance of students. Here are some more reasons why students must develop 21st century skills such as coding, AI or machine learning:

1. A Foundation for STEM Careers
Coding skills are viewed as the most important of 21st century skills among young students as it prepares them for the job market. Acknowledging the importance, several schools have introduced beginner-level coding in primary classes. This practice ensures that students have a strong base and find it easier to approach more advanced concepts of coding and AI in future.
The National Education Policy 2020 also recognizes the importance of introducing AI, robotics and coding in the high school curriculum to make students future-ready. As economies grow to incorporate AI, students learning these technical 21st century skills in education develop computational thinking, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and other soft skills.

2. Industry-Ready Skills
By fostering technical skills such as coding for kids, students can explore a wide range of experiential learning opportunities, such as participating in robotics competitions or hackathons. As students practice these industry-ready skills, they prepare for new tech job roles that have emerged following the digital revolution.

When is the Right Time for Children to Start Coding?

As curriculums slowly change to incorporate robotics, AI and coding into formal education, it is common for parents and educators to wonder when would be the right time to introduce coding for kids. Being the foundation of advanced concepts like natural language processing, AI and machine learning, learning coding skills early strengthens the foundation for advanced concepts.

A developers' survey suggests that by the age of 14, more than 54% of professional developers had written their first line of code. Although it would seem logical to include a child's first coding session in their high school curriculum, children can begin learning to code much earlier, perhaps as young as four. As they move on to higher classes, such as middle school, they can use coding platforms to practice their coding skills.

Similarly, classes for robotics for kids can be initiated at an early age too in a fun and hands-on way. Teachers must recognize the flair for robotics in students and introduce them to the concepts. Students learn collaboration and teamwork while thinking creatively and technically to build robots and carry out mechanical projects. It will help them prepare for advanced learning and be job-ready.

Encouraging and Supporting Your Child's Learning Journey

Educators and parents today understand the benefits of learning AI for kids, the bright citizens of tomorrow. As students get ready to tackle the future, which is deeply intertwined with artificial intelligence and new-age technologies, both parents and educators can do several things to encourage their child’s learning journey.

1. Establish a Learning Environment
To encourage curiosity among students, create a dedicated learning environment and workspace that gives the child space to carry out their coding and robotics experiments. Parents can start by demonstrating their own curiosity for AI, involve the students in the work and explore the field together with them. Schools can conduct small robotics experiments and entice young minds.

2. Encourage Exploration
As children start showing interest in these concepts, encourage them to explore different areas of coding, robotics, and AI. It will help them determine their aptitudes and understand their interests. Allow them to ask questions and let them seek answers independently.

3. Join Courses, Clubs & Workshops
Students can join coding and AI courses to better understand computer language and develop skills that support academic learning and co-curricular interests with expert guidance. Joining coding clubs or participating in hackathons helps too. Schools can also grant valuable opportunities such as workshops where students can meet other enthusiasts. They can also arrange for course programs that would encourage learners and help them gain experience through projects.

To Sum Up

With the integration of AI into numerous industries, there is a growing demand for professionals. Top companies are looking for candidates who can develop, implement, and upgrade technology. So, give children the opportunity to excel in 21st century skills in education. Armed with knowledge of AI, coding, and robotics, allow them to step boldly into the future, wielding technology as their asset to innovate possibilities. Let’s brace them up to become future-ready professionals!

Teachsmart by Teachmint transforms education with 21st-century skill courses in Coding & AI, Effective Communication, Robotics, and Financial Literacy. Adopting a futuristic approach, it links expert educators with schools nationwide, providing remote learning through live classes in school-owned smart classrooms.

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