Educationist advocates use of robotics in teaching

An Educationist, Mrs Remi Willoughby, on Friday advised government to introduce robotics in schools to boost the learning process.

Robotics is the study of how robots can perform any type of task autonomously and repeatedly.

Willoughby told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that robotics could improve the learning skills of children.
She said that embracing robotics could also make children to think critically.

According to Willoughby, who is a consultant at Roboglobal Educational Consulting Services in Lagos, robotics teaches children to think critically and solve problems. It also compels children to work as a team.
She said that children belonging to the digital age needed grooming in the use of computer to understand robotics.

“If we want to prepare our children for the 21st century challenges, we have to allow them to think critically by being able to work as a team.

“If we can solve these problems, then we will not have people who will graduate and not be looking for white-collar jobs.’’

She said that with the help of robots, students could be able to repeatedly apply their thinking faculties to resolving issues through team work.

“Robotics allows the children to apply whatever they have learnt in the classroom to real life challenges, which is known as applied knowledge.

“If a child sees a robot and says I love it or I don’t love it or I don’t want to have anything to do with it, this should give the parents an idea of the choice of career the child wants and they work towards that choice,’’ she said.

Willoughby urged corporate bodies to assist government by investing in schools, especially public schools to form robotics clubs.

According to her, robotics is a long-term investment that will yield bountiful harvest, although it will cost money.