It’s hard to fathom that we now live in an age where technology reigns supreme. It’s so influential in fact, that it’s also seen as the future of education. One professor is embracing the change and even advocating for an added push in attempts to encompass students in something that will encompass us all more than it does now, technology.

“Robots are taking care of the elderly, grabbing a cold beverage from the fridge, cleaning floors, and tending crops. Tiny quadcopter drones are flying in autonomous groups, flying above protests to gather news footage, some are even delivering flowers, pizza, and packages,” said Dr. Bryson Payne, a tenured professor at the University of North Georgia, in his Open Source essay advocating for more emphasis on technology in the classroom, if there isn’t enough already.

The statement was made to put into perspective the things that are going on around us technologically that we might not have been aware of. There is no doubt that technology has been a crucial part of evolution and Dr. Payne suggests that parents and schools nationwide start younger.

“What if we exposed kindergartners to 3D printers alongside reading? What if we taught third-graders how to program mobile apps alongside multiplication? Could fifth-graders build and use Lego or Vex robots in science class? Could an eighth-grader use geometry and algebra to land a quadcopter on a platform in the middle of the football field? If so, we could raise a new generation of inventors, creators, makers, and problem-solvers,” questioned Dr. Payne in the essay.

He continued to commend the schools, public libraries and of course the teachers who have began leading the charge in introducing technology to the classroom. He especially felt that coding in the classroom was a great place to start.

“I've worked with elementary, middle, and high-school students, and I've seen the light in kids' eyes when they realize they can make a computer print a 3D toy, program a bot to navigate a maze, or create their own drawing app for their phone or tablet,” according to the essay.

“Coding makes all of these activities possible—the hardware in a bot, drone, or 3D printer is amazing, but the software is what allows those objects to move, fly, and build. Coding is the problem-solving tool that's building better medical devices, faster methods of sharing ideas and products, and new ways of understanding the past.”

Dr. Payne believes that coding, STEM curriculum as well as technology like bots, drones and 3D printers are very beneficial to students at the elementary level and beyond. Do you agree with him?

Read the full story and comment below.

Article by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor