In this article, you will learn:
- How e-learning platforms have become a positive example of automation implementation in higher education institutions
- Why it is worth implementing robots in higher education
- In which areas the implementation of robots can be most effective
- What the future of education enhanced by automation looks like
Many technologies we use commonly today were created at public universities and state-funded research centers. It is also common for researchers to start using the results of their own studies – one example is the application of robots in the scientific environment. So, what could robotization in higher education look like? Definition of robotization in education
When considering a degree in computer science and choosing a university, it is worth considering a specialization in robotization. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most important is the economic outlook – the popularity of
professions related to robotization will grow, so the global robotics industry could be worth
95 billion dollars by 2029. In turn, a McKinsey report shows that
as a result of robotization, the total number of jobs could even double. The data above clearly shows that a bright future lies ahead for robotization specialists. However, it is worth asking what opportunities exist for robotization in higher education itself? It turns out there are plenty, which could be partially observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most visible effects of robotization in higher education was and is the dynamic development of e-learning platforms, through which both lecturers and students could participate in classes. They automated the most tedious aspects of teaching (e.g., attendance tracking) and seem to have a bright future ahead – according to a Learning House study, as early as
in 2018, 85% of users were satisfied with the results, and we are talking about the time before their widespread adoption! But how should we define robotization in higher education? Simply put, it is the application of robots in an educational and scientific environment. This definition will therefore include both the use of robots as teaching tools for demonstrations, experiments, and practical classes, as well as the automation of administrative processes, such as student registration, document management, or financial services.
Benefits of using robots in universities
Robots in universities are the future of education, and computer science programs are placing increasing emphasis on them. Although at first glance the benefits may not be obvious, in the long term, the automation of education can have a major impact not only on science but also on the economy. An example is the
Black Ninjas soccer team from the University of Plymouth. It stands out from others because its entire squad is composed of robots. Currently, they play soccer, but it cannot be ruled out that the knowledge gained by students will bear fruit in the development of, for example, a company that hires them. Another benefit of using robots in education can be the personalization of learning. In this case, however, one should not think of physical robots – virtual robots embedded in e-learning platforms will play a greater role here. Thanks to them and the use of AI, in the future, it will be possible to quickly and effectively analyze student progress and adjust the pace of learning to their level and preferences. It is also undeniable that robots are used in scientific work – in laboratories, they are used to conduct experiments and analyses, which not only speeds up the entire process but also ensures greater safety and fewer errors. Robots can also increase the inclusivity of higher education institutions, as they can be used to support people with special needs, e.g., those with physical disabilities. This translates into greater democratization of higher education.
Implementing robots on campus: directions for development
There are as many directions for the development of robots on campus as there are ideas for their application. One of them is specialized laboratories where students will be able to use robots for learning and experimentation. It is also more than certain that, due to progress in robotization and the growing popularity of this field, universities will introduce new courses and curricula in the areas of robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation. Robots can also be useful in research projects and provide an impetus for their development. Researchers (as well as students) can work on projects using robots, conducting research on new control algorithms, human-machine interaction, or the application of robots in various fields of life. One cannot ignore the economic aspects of using robots in education either. For example, universities can support the development of robotics-related projects by providing laboratory space, funding research projects, and organizing competitions and events related to robotics. This, in turn, can be an inspiration for start-ups that can develop business applications for technologies developed on campus.
The future of teaching through automation
Robotization in higher education has already made its mark, and it is certain that its importance will only grow – today, universities already offer
postgraduate studies in RPA, Robotic Process Automation. It can be stated with a high degree of certainty that the combination of robots and AI will change the way of teaching – some modern students do their homework with the help of ChatGPT, so it cannot be ruled out that in the future, AI assistants will support teachers in conducting classes or organizing teaching materials. Automation can also have broad practical and scientific implications. In the first case, it can open the door to the development of new teaching methods based on human-machine interaction. In turn, the use of robots in the teaching process enables research on the interaction between humans and machines, which can lead to a better understanding of the learning process. This can provide valuable data on the effectiveness of various teaching methods and lead to the identification of best practices in teaching. This, in turn, can help improve higher education as a whole and make universities places where people gain valuable knowledge with the help of robots.
