Who can recognize a robot?

Introduction

What is this about?

How do children recognize a robot? What do children identify as something technical? Children learn through the games and with the materials in the toolbox.

How they can recognize robots and AI-controlled devices in their everyday life. The educators support the children in thinking about the differences between robots/AI-controlled devices and humans.

Questions from children

Do you recognize a robot when you see one?

Would a robot recognize you?

Where does the robot live?

What is a robot?

What does a robot look like? Does a robot have legs, arms, hands, etc.?

What can a robot do?

How can a robot move?

What we know

Robots and AI-controlled devices are already part of our daily lives. Children of all ages encounter them in their everyday lives all the time and may not even realize that they are using a robot or an AI-controlled device. Often, even we adults are not aware if and how much AI is hidden in our everyday objects.

But we do know that a human has to switch on the robot or AI-controlled device in order for it to work - although sometimes timers are used and then the robots start automatically.

Examples of robots in everyday life

Goals

Pedagogical professionals

Raise awareness
They themselves use many AI-controlled devices.

Recognize and clarify differences
Differences between robots or AI-controlled devices and humans.

Create educational activities
Create play and educational activities to differentiate between humans and machines.

Understand the enthusiasm of children
For robots and other technological devices

Children

Developing awareness
There are robots and AI-controlled devices in their everyday life.

Recognize differences
Between humans and AI controlled devices

Clarify differences
Children can name the differences between AI and them

Exercises

#2 Recognizing robots

Materials

Images
Animals, Tools, Humans, technical devices,
vacuum cleaner, smartphone, etc.

2 Boxes (or more)

Preparation

First place all the pictures face down on the floor. Have two cardboard boxes ready. Label the boxes with the pictures, one box with a picture of animals and one box with a picture of robots. Place the boxes in opposite corners of the room. The room is now ready for playing.

Implementation

One child at a time chooses a picture and has to sort it into the correct box. Continue until all of the pictures on the floor are sorted. Discuss with the children why you put which picture card in which box. This can be done during the activity or afterwards.

Variation

1. Put on some music. When you stop the music, each child takes a picture and puts it in the corresponding box.
2. Set up multiple boxes to offer more opportunities for differentiation.
3. Make a grid on the floor using chalk or masking tape, etc. Use a robot (beebot, bluebot, etc.) to sort out the pictures with it.

About this Toolbox

Toolbox #2 was created in 2022 by Ulrike Stadler-Altmann, Susanne
Schumacher, Michael Højbjerg, Mia Lind, Karen Sterling, Michelle
Kjær Vennekilde, Paulina Landtved