Social Emotional Learning and Robotics

Purpose & objective

The purpose of this session is to challenge educators to look at computer science differently, and to see its power as a tool for social emotional learning.

While social emotional learning is more important than ever in the post-Covid educational landscape, engaging in activities that challenge and strengthen soft skills is not easy for all students. Whether they are reluctant to engage or they struggle to thrive, offering a different approach to SEL through robotics gives learners with different strengths and interests the chance to lead and grow.

This poster session will highlight 5 different lesson plans created to challenge students' computational thinking and programming skills, while also strengthening each of the 5 core social emotional competences from CASEL: self awareness, self management, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and social awareness. Attendees have the opportunity to take a hand-out that features each of the 5 lessons for them to take back to their classrooms.

Outline

This poster session will include 3 main components:

1. Information about the 5 core social emotional learning competencies, via CASEL: self awareness, self management, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and social awareness.

2. Written and video examples of robotics lesson plans for each core SEL competency. These lesson plans include procedures, goals, SEL connections, and differentiation possibilities. Along with the written lesson plans, which attendees will have the option to take with them, there will be a slideshow displayed of photos and videos of each lesson. Attendees can also scan a QR code to view this slideshow again at a later time.

3. Opportunities to engage in robotics activities live, in-person. Attendees will have the opportunity to try the activities out themselves in the space in front of the poster session. We will provide robotics and devices, and participants can explore each activity and its connection to SEL. I will also be there to answer questions as they move through the activities, and to connect educators who are exploring similar ideas.

Supporting research

Collaboration Skills in Educational Robotics: A Methodological Approach—Results from Two Case Studies in Primary Schools - https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/5/468
You Can't Teach Robotics without SEL: https://corp.smartbrief.com/original/2022/10/robotics-and-sel