Conventional classrooms can become stagnant--but telepresence robots can boost engagement, participation, and a sense of community. A telepresence robot.

5 ways robots will bring your classroom into the 21st century


Conventional classrooms can become stagnant--but robots can boost engagement, participation, and a sense of community

Telepresence robots offer a solution to bring the school community to students who can attend in person. When individuals attend school via their educational robot, they can participate in class, maintain relationships, and build friendships. For teachers, telepresence robots save time and eliminate the need for teachers to create multiple curricula tailored to individual students. Furthermore, families or individuals now don’t have to spend additional fees on outside tutors to help their students catch up. 

3. Invite experts to speak directly to students

Robots in schools are not just for students’ use; they also offer classrooms a way to connect to the world around them like never before. Hearing from experts in a field can ignite previously unknown or unimaginable interests and motivate students to put their ideas into action. Of course, we can watch their videos or read their material, but passive interactions can’t compare to personal conversations. 

When an expert makes a video call via a robot, he or she seems more like a live person. The speaker has complete agency and control over their movements. And the best part is, these expert speakers don’t have to leave the comfort of their own homes. 

4. Go beyond the classroom walls  

As we saw during the pandemic, places we took for granted, such as museums, offices, and even parks, were suddenly closed to us. Confined to our own homes, we longed for the ability to return to these locations. Now, we can now take advantage of these spaces in a personal way without compromising our health. Using educational robots, classes can be escorted around their local learning sites or even brought to places thought inaccessible before, such as national museums on the other side of the country or historical landmarks in other states. 

Additionally, the portability of many telepresence robots allows students to travel with their class outside the school. At only 20 pounds, some robots can be folded over and carried by hand or put in any car or bus. Furthermore, most robots don’t require reassembly, making them incredibly easy to bring students anywhere they want to go.  

5. Quality check classrooms and facilities virtually

If teachers cannot come to work–whether they’re out sick, traveling, or unavailable for another reason–using a telepresence robot offers them an easy solution for school administrators and others to check on classrooms without disrupting their schedules. 

This is a great strategy that goes above and beyond most educators’ initial reasons for purchasing the robot, illustrating its multifaceted value.

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