Drones in the Classroom: 5 Ways to Let them Fly!

Drones in the Classroom

Embracing Students’ Technological Interests

Mobile devices may be facilitating the introduction of disruptive technology into the modern classroom. However, new gadgets continue to expand the opportunities for students to engage in more participatory classes.

In addition to smartphones and tablets, a variety of new technologies have come into the classroom. These include smart boards, virtual reality headgear, and a variety of technological innovations. Each is helping to redefine traditional teaching methods.

Drones are popular among journalists, photographers, police officers, farmers, and others as one of the most versatile technological advancements. Drones in the classroom provide new options for teachers. They are helping to make classes more relevant and entertaining for students.

The Benefits of Drones in the Classroom

Several education professionals have spoken about the benefits of drones. In addition, some of them are including them in their curricula. Drones are an essential step toward bringing technology into the classroom.

They offer teachers the option of using these relatively easy and affordable instruments to teach languages, verbal skills, and even math, in conjunction with other devices.

Drones, on the other hand, assist children in improving their motor abilities and orientation skills. Furthermore, it can even help them gain a better grasp of how the world works.

One of the benefits of drones in the classroom is that they do not always cost a lot of money. However, they have a lot of potential. Simple quadcopters can cost as little as $30 and as much as $100. This is a small fee to pay for the multiple benefits that the entire class can enjoy.

Contrary to popular belief, such technology can really improve students’ imaginations. Furthermore, it is the means of bringing more engagement in the learning process. Drones will arouse pupils’ innate curiosity and propel it forward.

So, how can you incorporate drones into your curriculum?

1. Use Drones to Practice Speaking and Writing

With the introduction of drones, no space is inaccessible to the naked eye. Drones’ capacity to reach places we wouldn’t normally be able to view can provide tremendous inspiration for writing assignments.

Therefore, take your students outside and shoot some gorgeous scenery. After that, have them describe it or write up a story set in the locations you were seeing from the drone.

You can also snap images of familiar sites, such as school grounds. You can do so from different perspectives so that the pupils don’t recognize them right away. Then, as part of speaking practice, have the students determine where the photos were taken using visual clues in the images.

2. Teach Math with Drones

Teaching math can be difficult, especially for pupils who have little or no interest in it. Math becomes abstract for pupils due to a lack of application in practice. Therefore, as a result, engagement can be low.

Using drones, teachers can assist pupils in becoming active in the classroom. Fostering their natural desire to comprehend, investigate, and master new concepts is key. Therefore, if students can apply what they are learning in the classroom to real-life situations, they’ll remember it better.

Using drones to teach proportional relationships, for example, will provide students with a fresh perspective. In addition, it will give them an opportunity to witness math in action. This, in turn, will result in greater engagement and enthusiasm.

In one math class, pupils were given the challenge of illustrating a drone’s course. They had to do so using a distance and time graph while watching it travel.

3. Use Drones To Help Improve Motor Skills and Coordination

The development of motor skills and hand-eye coordination is an important element of a child’s growth. It has an impact on a variety of other abilities. These include a sense of direction, reading, balance, writing, and fine motor skills. It’s critical to put those skills into practice, and drones are a fun method to do so.

Flying drones necessitates great hand-eye coordination. Youngsters must use visual cues and be aware of special relationships. They must do this in order to control the drone’s path and destination with their hands.

There are many wonderful drones for kids that are both enjoyable and safe. When put to use properly, they may pique their attention while also learning coordination skills.

4. Use Drones in PE Classes

According to recent data, the number of obese children in the United States has tripled during the 1970s, and the trend is continuing throughout Europe. Therefore, it is critical to encourage children to participate in more physical activities. Drones are the ideal tool for getting them outside and into outdoor sports.

During a PE session, use the drone to capture youngsters playing a certain sport. Afte that, analyze what they can do to enhance their movements. Another fun way to get some exercise with drones is to play hide-and-seek. Therefore, instruct the children to go hide while you use the drone to try to locate them. It’ll be both entertaining and useful to their health.

5. Drones Can Help Teach Science

Drones can be handy in a variety of ways. Teachers can use it to help teach science and explain abstract concepts to kids. This can help them comprehend the lessons better.

In addition, by creating a big size model and then zooming in and out to show particular pieces and the greater structure, you may use drones to help kids comprehend cell structure.

Teachers can also use drones to illustrate physics laws. For example, students might calculate how long it will take the drone to travel a specific distance. In addition, they might calculate how the wind affects the drone’s course. There are many options available, and they may add a lot of fun to science lessons.

Technology is becoming a part of every element of human life. Education is no exception. However, introducing technology into education can give students a new perspective on learning. Furthermore, it can encourage them to harness their natural curiosity.

Image Credit: Gisele Holloway; Pexels; Thank you!