Liepāja Preschools Evaluate the Results of Introducing Educational Technologies into the Learning Process

The aim of the meeting was to promote the exchange of good practices and experience and to hear the ideas that had emerged during the work process. The teachers explained how they work with the robots at their institutions, how they use them, what the children like best and how the work is organised. Several teachers acknowledged that since the children began working with these robots, their cooperation skills and logical thinking had noticeably improved, and their personal growth was clearly evident. The teachers also noted that the children most enjoy using the robots to complete tasks that allow them to express their creativity—creating paths and obstacle courses themselves, drawing by attaching a pencil to the robot. The teachers were encouraged to share their thoughts on the technologies and skills they would still like to learn. The suggestions will be taken into account, and very soon ZIIC will offer preschools new opportunities.

As part of this municipal project, the robots are present every day at one of the preschools. Since September 2020, the robots have been taken to educational institutions 97 times and, according to data provided by the preschools, 4,473 children have worked with them. At almost all the institutions, the robotics ambassadors have trained and involved their colleagues in working with the robots. The robots are used in almost all groups, except the groups of the youngest children. This process is coordinated, and the technology is maintained in working order, by ZIIC experts.

"Bee-bot" robots perform simple commands that children can easily understand: moving forward, moving backward, and turning right or left. By combining these actions, children can create simple sequences of actions, or algorithms. This principle can be used to develop general and algorithmic thinking, as well as to learn about reading, mathematics, animals and other topics. Until now, 19 Liepāja preschools have been actively working with the robots, but during the next period, which will begin in March, two more institutions—"Zīļuks" and "Stārķis"—will be involved, bringing the total to 21 preschools.

Liepāja City Education Department

• Published: 18.02.2021 14:07
• Press release, LETA