Technology has become a big part of children's lives today, thus impacting their critical thinking and robotics coding is one activity that is helping them enhance their studying skills.
According to Sunaya Shirodkar, Director, Asier Solutions, "Robotics coding helps children develop self-confidence and also their comprehension capacity increases. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics all come together to form a system of STEM education. Through this education, coding, robotics, etc. are taught."
Shirodkar was speaking at a special seminar on coding and robotics hosted by Gomantak TV. The seminar was also attended by Prashant D S, Chief Executive Officer - Startup and IT Promotion Cell, DITEC, Government of Goa, Royce Fernandes, Special Educator at Sanjay School, Porvorim and Neville Noronha OSD to Tourism Minister. It was hosted by Pradnya Rane.
Shirodkar said when children are taught something as difficult as coding, they are taught it as if it is an easy game. "When we use this approach, children develop curiosity while learning and gradually develop interest. Once they develop interest, it becomes easy to teach them," she added.
Royce Fernandes, the special educator at Sanjay School, said, "It is a matter of pride for us that special children from our school participated in the Goa International Robotics Festival that was held in the state. Despite being special children, they learn everything themselves, except for a few technical aspects, when learning robotics."
Prashant D S said, "People used to ask me why I teach these things to my daughter at such a young age. You could teach her when she grows. I started teaching her because I know the importance of coding. I noticed a change in her when she started learning it. Today, her self-confidence and competitiveness are at a different level."
"Since my children learn coding as a game, they are not stressed. They have developed a love for it and that's a good thing. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has started robotics in schools after class 6. IT Minister Rohan Khaunte is also encouraging youth to go for new startups and technologies. Coding and robotics are no longer limited to engineering; learning these at a young age will hold good for the future," said Neville Noronha.
Goa held its first-ever robotics festival -- The Goa International Robotics Festival 2024 -- which concluded at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium on Taleigao plateau on January 28. The festival served as a platform for students to learn the benefits of robotics.