Robohub.org
 

iRobot Education expands its free coding platform with social-emotional learning, multi-language support


by
08 April 2021



share this:

iRobot Corp. unveiled new coding resources through iRobot Education that promote more inclusive, equitable access to STEM education and support social-emotional development. iRobot also updated its iRobot Coding App with the introduction of Python coding support and a new 3D Root coding robot simulator environment that is ideal for hybrid and remote learning landscapes.

The updates coincide with the annual National Robotics Week, a time when kids, parents and teachers across the nation tap into the excitement of robotics for STEM learning.

Supporting Social and Emotional Learning
The events of the past year changed the traditional learning environment with students, families and educators adapting to hybrid and remote classrooms. Conversations on the critical importance of diversity, equity and inclusion have also taken on increased importance in the classroom. To address this, iRobot Education has introduced social and emotional learning (SEL) lessons to its Learning Library that tie SEL competencies, like peer interaction and responsible decision-making, into coding and STEM curriculum. These SEL learning lessons, such as The Kind Playground, Seeing the Whole Picture and Navigating Conversations, provide educators with new resources that help students build emotional intelligence and become responsible global citizens, through a STEM lens.

Language translations for iRobot Coding App
More students can now enjoy the free iRobot Coding App with the introduction of Spanish, French, German, Czech and Japanese language support. iRobot’s mobile and web coding app offers three progressively challenging levels of coding language that advances users from graphical coding to hybrid coding, followed by full-text coding. Globally, users can now translate graphical and hybrid block coding levels into their preferred language, helping beginners and experts alike hone their language and computational thinking skills.

Introducing Python coding language support
One of the most popular coding languages, Python is now available to iRobot Coding App users in level 3, full-text coding. This new functionality provides an avenue to gain more complex coding experience in a coding language that is currently used in both academic and professional capacities worldwide, preparing the next generation of students for STEM curriculums and careers.

New Root Coding Robot 3D Simulator
Ready to code in 3D? The iRobot Coding App is uniquely designed to help kids learn coding at home and in school, with a virtual Root coding robot available for free within the app. iRobot updated the virtual Root SimBot with a fun and interactive 3D experience, allowing students to control their programmable Root® coding robot right on the screen.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, a tangible impact on students who’ve been learning in remote environments, which is why we identified solutions to nurture and grow SEL skills in students,” said Colin Angle, chairman and CEO of iRobot. “The expansion of these new iRobot Education resources, which are free to anyone, will hopefully facilitate greater inclusivity and accessibility for those who want to grow their coding experience and pursue STEM careers.”

In celebration of National Robotics Week, iRobot Education will also release weekly coding challenges focused on learning how to use code to communicate. Each challenge can be completed online in the iRobot Coding App with the Root SimBot or in-person with a Root coding robot. The weekly challenges build upon each other and include guided questions to facilitate discussions about the coding process, invite reflections, and celebrate new learning.

For more information on iRobot Education, Root coding robots and the iRobot Coding App, visit: https://edu.irobot.com/.

Information about National Robotics Week can be found at www.nationalroboticsweek.org.



tags:


iRobot is an American technology company that designs and builds consumer robots.
iRobot is an American technology company that designs and builds consumer robots.





Related posts :



Robot Talk Episode 123 – Standardising robot programming, with Nick Thompson

  30 May 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Nick Thompson from BOW about software that makes robots easier to program.

Congratulations to the #AAMAS2025 best paper, best demo, and distinguished dissertation award winners

  29 May 2025
Find out who won the awards presented at the International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems last week.

Congratulations to the #ICRA2025 best paper award winners

  27 May 2025
The winners and finalists in the different categories have been announced.

#ICRA2025 social media round-up

  23 May 2025
Find out what the participants got up to at the International Conference on Robotics & Automation.

Robot Talk Episode 122 – Bio-inspired flying robots, with Jane Pauline Ramos Ramirez

  23 May 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Jane Pauline Ramos Ramirez from Delft University of Technology about drones that can move on land and in the air.

Robot Talk Episode 121 – Adaptable robots for the home, with Lerrel Pinto

  16 May 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Lerrel Pinto from New York University about using machine learning to train robots to adapt to new environments.

What’s coming up at #ICRA2025?

  16 May 2025
Find out what's in store at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics & Automation, which will take place from 19-23 May.

Robot see, robot do: System learns after watching how-tos

  14 May 2025
Researchers have developed a new robotic framework that allows robots to learn tasks by watching a how-to video



 

Robohub is supported by:




Would you like to learn how to tell impactful stories about your robot or AI system?


scicomm
training the next generation of science communicators in robotics & AI


©2025.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence


 












©2025.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence