The RoboSteamSen project (2023-1-ES01-KA220-SCH-000155379) is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

AIR4Children: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Children

Typology
Technological
Resource description
AIR4Children is an initiative aimed at creating affordable, child-centered materials in AI and robotics. It emphasizes inclusion, accessibility, and participation, offering open-sourced software and hardware technologies to make AI and robotics education more inclusive and equitable
Sample of use in education with students with IDD
Sample Use Case: AIR4Children in Inclusive Education
Setting: A pilot workshop conducted in a Mexican town aimed at introducing AI and Robotics to children aged 6 to 14, including those with IDD. The program utilized open-source hardware and software, following Montessori educational principles to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.

Educational Goals
Introduce fundamental concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics in an age-appropriate and engaging manner.
Foster computational thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on activities.
Promote social inclusion by encouraging collaboration between children with and without IDD.
Develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through robot assembly and programming tasks.​

Implementation Steps
Curriculum Design: Developed a four-lesson curriculum incorporating Montessori methods, focusing on movement, repetition, and sensory engagement to cater to diverse learning needs.​
Resource Utilization: Employed affordable, open-source robots like Otto DIY and custom-built prototypes using Raspberry Pi and Arduino Uno boards, equipped with voice command capabilities for interactive learning. ​
Workshop Execution: Conducted sessions that included lectures, virtual and physical laboratories, and project-based learning, enabling students to assemble robots and program them using block-based interfaces.​
Assessment and Feedback: Utilized pre- and post-workshop surveys to evaluate changes in students' understanding of engineering concepts and attitudes towards AI and Robotics. ​

Challenges Addressed
Executive Functioning and Flexibility: Managing transitions, adapting to new tasks, and organizing activities.​
Learning and Cognitive Challenges: Providing individualized learning strategies and accommodating diverse cognitive abilities.​
Social Communication Challenges: Enhancing eye contact, expression of feelings, and understanding social norms through group activities.​
Sensory Processing and Sensitivities: Engaging students in sensory-rich activities that are structured and predictable.​

https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.07637?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Difficulties to which it could be applied
Learning and Cognitive Challenges
  • Cognitive Abilities
  • Individualized learning strategies accommodations
Social Communication Challenges, Emotional Regulation
  • Sharing of interests, emotions, or affect
Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests, Specialized Skills and Talents, Executive Functioning and Flexibility
  • Fixed Interest
Social Communication Challenges
  • Understanding social norms and rules
Sensory Processing and Sensitivities
  • Sensory overload
  • Hyporesponsiveness (se podria juntar con Hiper)
  • Hyper-responsiveness
Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests, Sensory Processing and Sensitivities
  • Specific sensory preferences
Emotional Regulation, Social Communication Challenges
  • Expressing Feelings
  • Problems initiating and maintaining conversations
  • Making/Keeping friends
Executive Functioning and Flexibility, Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests
  • Mental rigidity, need to follow routines
Executive Functioning and Flexibility, Learning and Cognitive Challenges
  • Unability to follow instructions and rules
  • Time management
  • Organization and planning of tasks and activities
Executive Functioning and Flexibility
  • Short attention span
  • Managing transition and adaption to changes and new situations
Learning Objetives
  • Enhancing Sensory Regulation Strategies
  • Executive functions
  • Facilitating Peer Interaction and Social Interaction Skills
  • Improving Attention and focus
  • Improving Social Communication Skills
  • Learning competences
  • Learning Engineering concepts
  • Learning Technology concepts
  • Promoting Flexibility and Adaptability