No matter how young or old your child is right now, chances are, they are going to learn about computers, robotics, and program languages as they attend school. In fact, many adults are having to go back to school to learn the same information! How much easier would it be to present the basics of coding with a screen-free programmable robot? Let me tell you about Botley, the Coding Robot.
About Botley the Coding Robot
Meet Botley, the code to fun! As the newest member of the Learning Resources family, Botley introduces coding in an easy, friendly way. Children as young as 5 can learn to code with Botley, and with his advanced features, he’ll grow with them for many play-filled years to come. Botley is ready to use right out of the box – he’ll have kids coding in minutes. And that’s not all that makes Botley unique; he’s 100% screen-free, and the only coding robot that includes a 45-piece set!
Here are just some of the fun interactive features Botley offers:
•Detect objects – and avoid them!
•Follow looping commands
•Navigate obstacle courses
•Follow black lines
•Botley also has additional hidden features to unlock!Your child will get to learn early STEM skills while playing and having fun. Botley teaches the basics of coding through active play, completely screen free. Perfect for promoting critical thinking and problem solving skills. Completely screen free coding – no phone or tablet required. Botley has an easy-to-use remote programmer, which transmits your commands – and off he’ll go!
Botley can detect objects and be programmed to go around objects with if/then logic. He can also follow looping commands, take on obstacle courses, follow black lines and has hidden features to unlock! Botley’s 45-piece set comes with a remote programmer, detachable robot arms, and 42 coding cards. Ages 5+ & Grades K+.
My Thoughts
As a teacher, I enjoy introducing new concepts to my students and watching them light up. Especially when they are younger, learning is still fun and they love mastering new ideas. We use STEM & hands-on learning activities quite often to keep their little brains and hands working at a higher level of learning. Robots, computers, and programming languages are just the newest topics that they are learning about these days.
A lot of times, technology and screens are involved in teaching our kids these days, and most of the time, it’s not a problem. We make sure they are supervised and with parental controls on their devices, they can’t just go poking around, whether on accident or because they are curious. So when you think about learning about coding and teaching a robot to follow commands, you’d assume you’d have to use a tablet or smart phone, right?
I did too, until we met Botley, the Coding Robot, from Learning Resources. Once you install the batteries into the robot and his remote control, the kids can start learning right away by using his remote control or by the program cards included with the set. I like how Botley starts teaching them simple and easy to understand commands to get a feel for how it works. Plus, we can start slow with only one or two commands at a time, make sure each student understands and demonstrates their ability, and move on to more complicated and/or multiple steps. Botley the Coding Robot can be coded to detect and go around obstacles, change directions or turn around, follow a black line path, or even follow coded step by step directions.
We’ve even seen a few videos that show how he can be used to play table-top soccer, knock over building blocks, and compete in head to head races with other robots using simulated race tracks! We found Botley to be great to start with young kids starting at age 5 and even keep up with the older students at 8 or 9 years old! Reading is not required so this makes learning how to code an activity almost any student can do. Learn more about Botley the Coding Robot on Learning Resources and purchase one or two for your children on Amazon.
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We’ve added Botley the Coding Robot to our 2018 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide! Check it out here!