In today’s highly competitive and digitalized world, Robotics has become an important topic of discussion. AI – Artificial Intelligence is the buzzword everywhere, as various functions that a human would usually do are now being automated. For example, there are apps that auto-generate content, prepare complex codes, and even smart tools that can design a complete website from scratch within minutes. How fascinating is that! If you are stuck while programming, just ask ChatGPT, ‘Buddy this code has a bug, how do I fix it?’ and in the blink of an eye you would have the answer. Just Chat it out with an AI and get most of your queries answered. Then there is the ever-evolving Metaverse. A universe that allows you to meet friends virtually, even if one person is in Dubai and the other peer resides in Paris. Great way to get people closer and socially connected on the net! In every industry field, be it medicine, IT, automobiles, real estate, and even education, robots are ruling and adding value to human lives. Through this Blog, let us look at some of the advantages vs. drawbacks of introducing Robotics programs in Schools.

Here are a few good reasons to incorporate Robotics in Schools

#1 Right Age to Introduce Robotics to Children

When children are in their prime years, learning is more effective. The brain develops rapidly at 7 years of age and therefore the student is eager to receive all kinds of information and retain it for a lifetime. Most IB Schools in the UAE have an agenda to support the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) structure, and therefore integrating the study of Robotics works wonders. The focus has now shifted from mugging conventional History & Geography chapters, to actually studying what is relevant in the job market and focusing on getting learners ready for great career opportunities.

#2 Hands-on Practical Learning

Just like Math requires us to understand the formula and apply it wherever appropriate, coding requires us to understand computer language and apply it as per suitability. This requires practice and hands-on activities that support the process. Robotify is an excellent platform where children learn to code virtual robots by working on their computers. There is no need for any external hardware, thereby reducing the cost of coding sessions. Robotify has been endorsed by educators in GCC regions for its user-friendliness and gamified modules that intrigue students to delve deeper and have fun while studying.

#3 Creative Thinking Skills

Students love to indulge in activities where they can explore their creativity. What could be more exhilarating than coding an app from scratch and using creativity to build a Robot that dances when the light turns blue? There are Robotic competitions that invite students to participate and showcase their inventiveness. Have you heard the news about that 15-year-old boy from Sharjah who constructed a humanoid robot that can speak in 7 languages at an Olympiad? Then there is another lad from the Middle East who got an opportunity to showcase his waste segregating Robot at Expo 2020. Such ingenuity is only possible if schools encourage youngsters to take up Robotics as a passion.

Some downfalls of teaching Robotics in Schools

#1 Too much exposure to screens

Children anyways spend a lot of time scrolling through their phones and are even addicted to social networking platforms. This robs them from exploring nature, interacting with friends while playing a sport, or building strong relationships with parents. Being a screen nerd may even affect the child’s emotional well-being, as he gradually finds it difficult to share his feelings because of being isolated for long hours in a room practicing how to crack a code. At the end of the day, a Robot can’t replace human touch or interaction

#2 Additional Burden of Studies

While it is lovely to aim that your child becomes an all-rounder by expecting him to be good academically and in extra-curricular domains, it may adversely affect the child’s morale. Parents who put pressure on their kids lead to the child developing withdrawal symptoms, becoming moody, and losing interest in studies. All work and no time to unwind makes Zack a dull boy!

#3 It is Expensive

Setting up a coding class includes investing in appropriate software, and hardware and hiring trained instructors who charge a hefty fee. Other than this, miscellaneous expenses on electricity costs and buying laptops for each student may also count as a hindrance. However, as we have already spoken about Robotify earlier in this Blog, it is a much cheaper alternative and is quite effective to get students started on their Robot coding journeys. In conclusion, though there are pros and cons to everything in life, we must have the ability to choose wisely. Compared to the many advantages of preparing students for the future, we guess the cons can be overlooked. However, remember to not pressurize the child, as interest in any new subject develops gradually. Let children be inspired and develop a genuine love for coding vs. being a burden on them.

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According to the reports published by UNISEF in 2021, about 240 million children suffer from disability. Learning disability (LD) is becoming a serious concern as more & more kids are identified with symptoms that restrict their full potential to thrive during the most important developmental years in school. Most LDs are identified in pre-school years, however some students don’t find out until college years.

Types of Learning Disabilities

#1 Dyslexia:

In dyslexia the learner has a problem reading as he has a difficulty matching letters to its sounds. Dyslexia is a disability that affects the part of the brain which processes language and speech. This is the most common type of LD and 1 in every 10 children suffer from Dyslexia.

#2 Dysgraphia

The handwriting of children with Dysgraphia isn’t too clear. There are issues with spacing between words, and the legibility isn’t proper. Dysgraphia hampers the fine motor skill development of students at young age and thus it hinders the overall development process.

#3 Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a disorder where it becomes rather difficult for the child to comprehend numbers and math calculations. Students have trouble identifying numbers, counting, and performing multiplication & division functions.

#4 ADHD

The symptoms of ADHD include difficulty in focusing and the child becomes hyperactive, leading to impulsive decision making. The traits are usually demonstrated by the age of 6 and it causes one to suffer at school, due to short attention spans and having problems staying organized. If not treated or controlled, it may lead to Anxiety disorder later.

Above, we have mentioned just a few types of LDs, but the list is even more expansive.

Coding in Schools

Coding has become a mandatory subject in schools due to the IB culture picking pace up in Dubai and other Middle East regions. Robotic extra-classes are held on campus and children are encouraged to participate in inter-school Robotic competitions to display their tech prowess.

Now the question arises, how can a student suffering from learning disability study coding or try their hands on inventing a Robotic masterpiece?

When teaching coding there is a combination of language, analytical skills, reading skills, and vocabulary involved, which students with LD lack.

Those suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to pay attention to the intricacies required to code a topic and thereby apply problem-solving approaches to debug the software.

Looking at this topic from a positive periscope, there are advantages that can actually improve the condition of students with LD. Let us highlight how this can happen;

Confidence Building Exercise

It is true that students who have LD usually seem to have a low self-esteem. Coding is a practice that makes the learners confident, because one is allowed to experiment and use easy Scratch programming with drag & drop feature to give the computer commands and make it do as told. Just imagine what a boost it is for a student who is a little weak in studies, to be able to create his own App which may solve the problems of a society. Thus, many schools in GCC encourage integrating Robotify as a platform to start teaching coding of Robotics at an early age, to everyone in school.

Creates a Sense of Inclusiveness

When assigned a group activity to the class, especially a one that’s a coding project, the student with LD feels involved, as he feels a part of the team and can actually contribute towards realizing the goals. Inclusive Education has been embedded in IB school culture across the UAE and team-bonding gives students an opportunity to increase their inter-personal skills. The best part about group-work is that strengths and weaknesses are analyzed and basis each one’s capabilities, work is assigned or divided.

So, next time as a parent if you are hesitant of enrolling your kid into coding or Robotics classes, research the advantages one can gain, which may better the child’s condition and improve the condition of being LD.

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In today’s highly busy world, we hardly find the time to invest in quality reading. Browsing through the headlines and reading a two-liner gist on Social Media, is considered adequate to learn about events that are going on around us. Let alone the time factor, there are numerous benefits of Speed Reading that you did not know. If you are a bookworm or even a beginner, you should give this article a read.

#1 It is good for the Brain

Comprehending the verses of articles at top speed offers your brain the exercise that it needs, in order to stay agile. We’ve heard the common phrase which says ‘Use it, or lose it’. This is applicable to brain development too. Challenging your system to grasp the context speedily, will only enhance the information-receiving process of the brain and help with memory retention.

#2 Increases vastness of Knowledge

Normal reading is done at approximately 280 words per minute, while speed readers are capable of reading between 400-700 words per minute. Speed reading through an exciting novel allows you to finish cover-to-cover in less time, thereby making time for you to purchase new books and read some more. You now have a handy tip on how to accomplish your goal of reading 70-100 books a year and gain a mammoth of information!

#3 Improves Emotional Well-Being

Reading is an immersive experience, more like meditation. Unwinding with a good book after a long workday is the best way to calm down. Speed reading in a way improves your emotional well-being because your focus is on the text and other worrisome thoughts are out of the bay. Reading Eggs is an excellent Reading Platform for kids. It has a comprehensive library that helps children choose a book of their interest and read it via the app or purchase a physical copy. Thus, Reading Eggs is quite popular in the Middle East and other developed nations where such educative apps are given preference.

#4 Habit Forming

If you do an activity over and over again, it becomes a habit. Reading is definitely a good habit to follow and once you get addicted to speed reading, it becomes a part of your everyday routine. Enjoying the process will help you become a voracious reader and even be respected for it. Friends and colleagues will come to you for recommendations on the next best book to read, and it is a matter of pride, thereby giving you the confidence to follow your passion even more deeply.

#5 Solve Complex Problems

Challenges may come unannounced and finding a quick solution to a problem needs fast thinking. Reading Buffs who are already accustomed to speed reading are equipped to tap their subconscious mind and derive a resolution almost instantly. If you don’t want to let your life problems get overwhelming, start a Reading Eggs subscription in Dubai or across UAE regions, to get started on this wonderful speed-read adventure.

#6 Better Time Management

As already discussed earlier, the most common complaint is not having enough time to dedicate towards a profound activity like reading. Often there is an internal dialogue as to how much time should you allocate to reading a novel per day. Ideally, spending 30-45 minutes a day is enough, and being quite efficient at it, you will manage to complete a considerable chunk of the book, allowing you the time to focus on other mundane daily activities. If you reside in any of the GCC regions, you may even visit a library or opt to read while having coffee at a café. Either way, you can pause – read – and continue your day as usual, if developed the correct technique of rapid reading.

To conclude we would like to add, that don’t just be a reader, be a smart reader! Keep yourself motivated to read and create an impressive impact within your community by setting an example. Knowledge never goes to waste and the market is flooded with an ocean full of books out there. So, go pick one up and get reading!

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Good grades vs. average grades, we always compare our children to others and add to their stress of already having to deal with a lot in life. At the crucial age when children are growing & developing, they discover the world around them, form social connections, explore their individuality, and further have the pressure to perform well in School and meet the expectations of their teachers & parents. What if the student doesn’t like a subject, say Science? Why is he expected to score well in a subject that is not of his interest then?

The Grading System was initially introduced with the sole purpose of accessing the Academic Performance of students and how well they have been able to grasp the topics that were taught in class. The Education system relied heavily on the percentages, which led to extreme competition to outdo classmates and be amongst the top 3 rankers. Now the question to ask is, does your child’s brilliance in the classroom really translate into success in life later? The answer could be maybe, or maybe not. Well, definitely not, if the child is being put through negative emotions like stress and anxiety early on in life, just to get good grades in school.

However, if parents understand the statement that; ‘Grades are not the focus in School, learning is the focus’, then it becomes easier for the student and all other stakeholders involved.

Most students have a phobia of studying Math as a subject, however, now this can be resolved by trying Mathletics as a fun learning platform. It is recommended by parents in the UAE and students enjoy indulging in the interesting Math modules and access a variety of video content, to ease their fear of learning. Mathletics also supports teachers and home tutors by presenting an analysis of the student’s performance and altering the pace of topics, accordingly.

Through the Blog so far, we have concluded that a love for learning cannot be ignited by creating fear or excessive worry in the child. Freedom to explore and passion for the subject matter are important aspects to be tapped upon.

The traditional education system was centered around the child having to memorize a lot of topics and then presenting them in the exam by recollecting the answers to the questions asked in the exam paper. This exercise is misinterpreted by students, as they would rut the chapter and prepare well only during exam time to get through with flying colors, but later, forget what was learned. This means when a scenario arises in real-life to apply the concepts learned, the child would struggle to do so because he has already forgotten the essence.

Just recently, the IB or International Baccalaureate culture is picking up pace and many traditional educational institutes are moving from state boards to IB. In cosmopolitan cities like Dubai, where expats from all over the world migrate for work, the School culture is changing rapidly. Foreign students mostly drift to IB learning, as it is more hands-on and the focus is placed on learning and not mugging to get grades.

The IB curriculum focuses not only on the usual subjects like; Math, Science, Language, and Social Studies, but goes beyond to inculcate relevant subjects like Robotics, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Music, and Computer Science, which is the need for the hour. Students even get to choose the Subject they like and drop one that does not interest them.

Apart from Academics, IB schools focus on making the student an all-rounder by enforcing the importance of the following skills; confidence building, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and social responsibility All these real-life skills are extremely needed to survive and thrive in the digitally connected 21st-century world that we live in.

Students are encouraged to participate in seminars, inter-school competitions, and conduct presentations, for which marks are assigned. This allows the child to express his talent and earn rewards for it, versus writing boring lengthy exam papers by hand. In the Middle East alone, there are about 1,500 English-Medium schools that offer IB Diploma Programs. Since the curriculum follows such a holistic approach, College Universities are able to assess the child’s overall personality and capabilities, rather than just knowing their academic scores. If your child does well in IB, there are chances of easily getting-through top colleges not only in your region of GCC but globally, since the program is recognized all around the world!

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Mathematics has always been a daunting subject in schools in Dubai. But if you look at it with concentrated clarity, it is actually very easy and stimulating. Maths is for everyone and everywhere. You use it when you go shopping, to calculate dates as well as project financial profits for business houses, etc. Maths is a very important skill to have that we use without realising in our daily lives. Maths is a subject that is the foundation upon which other subjects are built such as physics, chemistry or, even advertising. You need this skill to pursue most other careers.

Maths is best done with a fresh mind and in a place where you can quietly concentrate. Once you have the basic principle right, you can do it anywhere and anytime. You will see the world around you with a mathematical eye. You will begin to see shapes in town squares and angles on buildings. A quick brush up with Maths every day improves your calculation skills, your memory and even reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Maths is such a subject that it requires you to practice it every day. It is not something that you can excel at by rote learning. You need to solve a variety of questions on each topic to gain command over the concept. It is imperative to understand where and how the equation was derived from. Maths has reasoning and logical application to solving it and understanding the derivatives makes it easy. Maths is a subject that builds upon the basics. Therefore, having a firm understanding of the key concepts becomes important before moving on to the next topic. Maths is hence called a sequential subject.

Today everything is available online and Maths is no exception. Tutorials, solutions and worksheets are all easily available with a basic Google search. There are also many games available online as well as on our phones that are related to Maths. Schools in the Middle East rely heavily on online platforms to supplement math practice at home and at school. Wowzers is transforming the way you learn maths with its powerful online platform. It allows the student to learn at his own pace, provides support when it detects that the student is struggling and guides them with feedback so that they have a better understanding of their progress. The Wowzers app is available on any device and can be linked so you can access it from anywhere. Its customised curriculum is mapped to both state and common core math standards. Its assessments provide trackable progress and support the student’s graduation to the next level. Wowzers busts the myth that maths is boring or scary with its engaging context and interactive programmes.

There are also many tutorial videos available online on various topics that explain the topics you find comparatively difficult to grasp. Watching these videos and writing down the core concepts and formulae is a great way to form muscle memory. Pinning up flashcards of these formulae on the board in front of you will help you to inadvertently learn every time you glance at it. GCC schools require students to make colourful charts with the basic concepts of maths and have them put it up where they are glanced upon daily to absorb the concepts. Being creative with visual aids also helps in eliminating the ennui that students sometimes feel when it comes to maths.

Taking the help of your teacher, parents or peers to clear doubts will eliminate struggling with concepts in the long run and make it easy and fun to learn as well. These are also the people who can help you to apply maths to real-life situations whether it is checking the restaurant bill with mum or calculating the income tax on your home loan with dad. In the UAE, splitting the café bill with your friends is the best way to learn percentages.

Maths is a subject best learnt by understanding the root cause rather than the solution. You can’t memorise it as every problem has its own uniqueness. But if you know the concept and its application then solving it becomes a breeze.

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The application of mathematics in the modern world is a complex and ever-changing field. In the Middle East, there are many businesses and governments that rely on mathematical expertise to make their decisions. Some of the most common applications of mathematical expertise in the modern world are in business, finance, and engineering. In business, mathematical expertise can be used to calculate financial ratios and statements, to analyse data, and to make predict future financial trends. In engineering, mathematical expertise can be used to design and build products, for data analysis, and to make predictions.

We have all found the subject of maths to be daunting and challenging. Despite its reputation, mathematical skill is one of the most coveted skills due to its role in the modern world. We all use it in some form or the other. From paying for groceries to calculating a tip in a restaurant to building a smartphone; maths has found its way into every aspect of life.

Mathematics has made a significant contribution to the study of climate change by allowing researchers to better comprehend the Earth’s climate and the impact of global warming. It helps in understanding the dynamics of the Earth’s natural systems concerning infectious diseases, their origins, their spread and control.

In the GCC areas, Maths is also part of Social Studies as it helps in exploring the social dynamics of the country and helping to identify income inequality and political polarisation. Using mathematical data they can identify underlying patterns and predict future trends more accurately.

The world as we know it today, would not be possible without maths. It aids us in problem-solving and critical thinking – two very essential skills in today’s technology-powered generation.

Schools in Dubai believe that learning maths opens up a world of opportunities. It is basically the foundation of many fields such as science, engineering, economics, and computer science. It is extremely relevant to the current school curriculums and being deficient in mathematical skills means underperforming in other subjects as mentioned above too. This would translate into limitations when it comes to future employability.

Maths is the foundation of almost every subject. Every aspect or form of mathematics such as algebra, complex numbers, trigonometry etc., influences our lives every day. You will always see an influence of the same in the field you work in, be it in medicine, meteorology or cryptography etc. Astronauts use it to determine the probability of life in outer space, statisticians rely on data to predict population trends and accountants use it to determine whether a company is doing well or making losses. Being proficient in maths opens a lot of doors for job seekers.

Without mathematics, the world would not have made the giant strides it has made today as it is crucial to understand the natural world as well. Maths describes the behaviour of particles and waves, the flow of fluids, and the dynamics of complex systems.

To assist in easier comprehension of this intimidating yet crucial subject, many schools in the UAE offer STEM learning which focuses on individual learning styles and interests. STEM courses develop children’s cognitive abilities and facilitate quick problem-solving. They are working towards their goal of ensuring that every student graduate is tech-savvy and STEM-literate. Recognising this, Blake E-learning along with 3P Learning created Mathletics which is the perfect early learning maths program to form a strong base for math students. It is convenient to use as it syncs with all your devices and hence you can use it anywhere at any time. This platform offers a personalised path with downloadable worksheets and a self-paced curriculum. Enjoyable characters and lessons use real-world examples and escort you through your learning journey while providing immediate assessments and reports so you are aware of your progress.

So if you have not signed up with a maths tutor yet, then do it right away as Maths is one skill that you cannot be without.

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