Researchers from NJIT have dedicated a book chapter that highlights their success with employing robots for use as learning and motivational tools.
The chapter is titled ‘Robotics as an effective instructional tool and motivation for learning’ in a journal Innovations 2011, published by the International Network for Engineering Education and Research (iNEER). The publication was distributed amongst the participants at the 2011 International Conference on Engineering Education in Northern Ireland last summer.
The lead author of the publication, John Carpinelli, pointed out to the contribution made by robotics towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and in being an effective teaching aid. Carpinelli and his colleagues at NJIT were awarded a million dollar grant from National Science Foundation for developing and implementing ‘Medibotics’ which was a project that merged Medicine, Robotics and Information technology. The research team consists of eminent professors from various departments at the University. The book chapter throws light on the usage of robotics as a learning tool that enhances the student’s knowledge and understanding in STEM topics that cover the curricula from sixth to twelfth grade. Through robotic learning tools, more and more students are encouraged to pursue a career in STEM areas. Robotic training also helps in reducing the dependency on teachers and training material for imparting knowledge on STEM topics. The research team has given detailed explanation of how they have successfully used robotics for teaching and student classroom setting. They have explained Medibotics in detail by giving importance to developing projects having medical applications using LEGO robotics Mindstorms Educational kits and NXT software. Using the concepts explained in the book, students and teachers will be able to design and construct algorithms to suit LEGO robots for making them perform medical procedures required for surgeries.
Source: http://www.njit.edu/