Post in collaboration with Robotical. Opinions expressed are my own.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept. It has been around since the last century, but it has advanced rapidly in the past few years, especially with the launch of ChatGPT and generative tools. Whether or not we ever realized it, it has been and will continue to be a part of our everyday lives. Think about your daily activities using AI, from the voice assistants on our phones to the recommendation algorithms on our favorite streaming platforms like Netflix. As educators, it’s crucial to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to understand, interact with, and even create AI-powered technologies. But how?

Marty: Your AI-Powered Teaching Assistant

Marty the Robot is a fantastic tool for introducing AI concepts to students of all ages. Marty is a humanoid robot that is specific for education. It is a hands-on, engaging way to provide all students with the opportunity to learn about and explore machine learning, robotics, and computer science. In today’s digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) is all around us. For the younger generations, they have grown up using and relying on AI, and in likely most cases, without even noticing it.

As educators, there are many ways we leverage the power of AI to assist us with tasks, save time, promote productivity, and more. For example, voice assistants respond to our commands, streaming services curate personalized recommendations quickly, and educational apps adapt to individual learning styles, which create personalized learning journeys for students and help us provide the best opportunities for our students.

AI should be part of elementary school students’ learning experience. Whether they learn the basic concepts or have opportunities to work with an AI-powered tool, it is important to move our students beyond passive consumption and empower them to engage actively with these technologies. By understanding how AI works and how to create it, students can become not just users but innovators.

Marty the Robot: A Hands-On AI Companion

I was thrilled when I received Marty the Robot for my classroom. Marty is a mixture of hardware and software that brings AI concepts to life and engages all students. Marty offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the world of machine learning and robotics and have fun in the process!

Why Choose Marty?

Humanoid Design: Marty’s humanoid form fosters a strong emotional connection with students, making learning more enjoyable and memorable.

Versatile Programming: From screen-free coding to advanced Python programming, Marty supports a wide range of coding skills and learning styles. It meets students’ interests and specific needs.

Customizable AI: Students can teach Marty to recognize sounds, images, and other stimuli, allowing them to create personalized and interactive experiences. It gives them more opportunities to create and innovate.

Curriculum-Aligned Resources: Marty has an extensive library of educational resources, including lesson plans, activities, and tutorials, aligned with various national and regional curricula.

Durable: Marty is a reliable and long-lasting educational tool built to withstand classroom use and even some falls.

Real-World Applications of AI with Marty

Image Recognition: Teach Marty to identify objects, colors, and patterns, fostering visual perception and problem-solving skills.

Sound Recognition: Train Marty to respond to voice commands and sound cues, developing auditory processing and language skills.

Obstacle Avoidance: Implement AI algorithms to enable Marty to navigate obstacles autonomously, teaching students about spatial reasoning and decision-making.

Facial Recognition: Use advanced AI techniques to teach Marty to recognize faces, and students can evaluate its accuracy for detecting faces too..

STEM Learning and Beyond

Marty is more than just a robot; it’s a gateway to a world of STEM possibilities. By building and programming Marty, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills.

Marty can be used to explore cross-curricular topics, such as language arts, social studies, and art. For instance, students can write stories about Marty’s adventures, create artwork inspired by his design, or study historical figures who have contributed to the field of robotics.

Empowering Future Innovators

By introducing students to AI and robotics through engaging tools like Marty, we are shifting them from consumers and creators and empowering them to become the next generation of innovators. As technology advances, it’s essential to equip all students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in our rapidly changing world.

Marty the Robot will engage students and spark creativity and curiosity for learning. By embracing AI and robotics education, we can hopefully inspire our students to become problem-solvers, inventors, and dreamers.

It has been so much fun to see students learning about AI and coding with Marty!

To learn more about Marty the Robot, head to https://robotical.io/. You can even request a trial of Marty, too!

About Rachelle

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth is a Spanish and STEAM: What’s Next in Emerging Technology Teacher at Riverview High School in Oakmont, PA. Rachelle is also an attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Master’s in Instructional Technology. Rachelle received her Doctorate in Instructional Technology, and her research focus was on AI and Professional Development. In addition to teaching, she is a full-time consultant and works with companies and organizations to provide PD, speaking, and consulting services. Contact Rachelle for your event!

Rachelle is an ISTE-certified educator and community leader who served as president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network. By EdTech Digest, she was named the EdTech Trendsetter of 2024, one of 30 K-12 IT Influencers to follow in 2021, and one of 150 Women Global EdTech Thought Leaders in 2022.

She is the author of nine books including ‘In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking,” “Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU,” “The Future is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead,” “Chart A New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow’s World, “True Story: Lessons That One Kid Taught Us,” “Things I Wish […] Knew” and her newest “How To Teach AI” is available from ISTE or on Amazon.

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Twitter(X) and Instagram at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.