5 of the Best Coding Robots for the Classroom

For students, learning to code is both essential and accessible. With so many age-appropriate educational coding tools available, helping students see the possibilities, benefits, and enjoyment they can get from robotics and coding education isn't even impossible for educators to accomplish. The benefits of learning to code are incredibly extensive and, even if they don't go on to pursue one of the top STEM careers, students will certainly develop relevant skills as a byproduct of coding experiences. Also, using some of the best coding robots, educators can create these types of opportunities for lifelong learning at any grade level.

Bee-Bot Robot from Terrapin

As we often do, we love reminding educators and administrators that coding education isn't only for older students. With concerns about too much technology in early education and how it might negatively impact children, many early education instructors are hesitant about introducing students to coding too soon. While the coding tools we recommend are more helpful than harmful, however, we certainly do understand this concern. The fact remains that, with the right approach and technologies, coding for kindergarteners isn't something to fear. In fact, it's a fantastic opportunity to incorporate opportunities for creativity, design thinking, and sensory development in their early learning. And, one of the best coding robots in general, the Bee-Bot is perfect for Pre-K, kindergarten, and early elementary students.

Unplugged coding and robotics in early education.

Students can use the Bee-Bot in tons of different screen-free coding activities and classroom coding projects. While it's not necessarily a remote control robot either, the Bee-Bot is still an effective classroom coding tool. Students simply need a large enough space (perhaps five square feet) and they can get to work. Especially in early childhood education, the Bee-Bot Card Mat helps simplify this process. It's a 3-foot-by-3-foot vinyl grid that comes with a clear plastic sheet. This helps students visualize how the Bee-Bot moves and helps them begin thinking about how to make it travel from one square to another. Even at this young age, they can think like a programmer and use their creativity to design a solution. And, how do they create those solutions? Using the tactile buttons on the Bee-Bot's backside, they can build simplistic programs completely screen-free.

The best coding lessons for the Bee-Bot robot.

As for ECE-specific STEM lessons, teachers can use the Bee-Bot in many unique classroom experiences. Some of the other Bee-Bot accessories include consonant-vowel-constant (CVC Cards), Alphabet Cards, and Bee-Bot Command Cards. Educators can place these cards under the plastic sheet of the Card Mat, for example, and help students relate to programming the Bee-Bot by making it a more authentic experience. One common kindergarten coding lesson is challenging students to get their Bee-Bot to the pig image. 'Pig' is a CVC word as well, which helps them build familiarity and confidence in reading and phonics simultaneously. To learn more about the Bee-Bot Robot, Bee-Bot Classroom Set, and accessories, visit our store.

Why the Ozobot Evo is One of the Best Coding Robots

Students can program the Ozobot Evo using block-based coding or another wrinkle that’s unique to this brand. This educational robotics solution can follow colored lines and navigate unique Ozobot mazes students create with black, blue, red, or green markers—using both speed and precision. It's also one of the few STEM and robotics solutions with a digital version—the online Ozobot simulator. Depending on the shade of the line, the Evo’s lights illuminate that color to correspond to the color beneath it. And, like the Ozobot Bit, the Evo reads and responds to color codes—groups of three to five red, green, black, or blue dots that each contain a unique message. As it encounters color codes in its path, it completes specific outputs, like speeding up, slowing down, spinning, or turning.

Versatility and the OzoBlockly coding platform.

The programming opportunities themselves help make the Ozobot Evo one of the best coding robots but it also provides students with a more social and collaborative learning experience. Aside from programming it using the OzoBlockly editor, the in-depth Ozobot Classroom software also contributes to impactful coding lessons with the Ozobot robots. With a number of areas, including STEAM lesson plans for teachers, Ozobot PD resources, robot assignment features and more, this LMS truly helps simplify coding education. Plus, the feedback in Ozobot Classroom is even more valuable than the feedback the robots provide to students. Speaking of that, after detecting codes, the Evo displays this feedback with its lights so students stay engaged and know their program worked.

One of the best classroom robots and apps.

Whether using the Ozobot Evo individually or collaboratively, students have plenty of opportunities to learn about programming. The Evo is very quiet and smooth, unlocking hassle-free coding for kids with experience and those new to computer science. It's compatible with a long list of iOS and Android devices as well as computers for OzoBlockly programming. If programming the Ozobot Evo with a mobile device, search for 'Evo by Ozobot' in your app store. Also, the single Evo kits come with the robots, charging cables, markers (also available separately), and teacher materials. The Ozobot Evo Classroom Kits include added accessories as well for up to 18 students. In terms of tech specs, it takes only one hour to fully charge and lasts for over an hour of use. It also has Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity with a 30-foot range and updates its firmware automatically.

The Root Robot from iRobot Education

Though there are a few Root Robot versions, it's still one of the best classroom robots for introducing coding. Its unique way of teaching programming culminates with students creating programs that get the robot to scale a whiteboard. It’s particularly great for easing younger students into coding in schools as they can explore a range of programming concepts. Its most intriguing feature, however, is probably that ability to stick to whiteboard surfaces and vertically climb them. There are lots of different lessons that students can learn with the Root, including coding, touch interaction, and art-based experiences. It also features a marker slot and, once kids design programs, the Root will draw or write as it moves.

The best packs for coding with Root Robots.

Root Robots are available in single units or classroom kits of 2, 6, 12, and 30. Each pack comes with the corresponding number of robots, foldout whiteboard grids, charging cables, and vinyl cling packs. They also come with twice as many markers. When using the Root in coding, the iRobot Root Coding app is your best option. It's available on both the Apple and Android app stores. With the app, kids as young as four years old can participate in progressive activities that include learning with graphical blocks, hybrid blocks, and even text coding with the Create 3. It features three progressive levels students can jump between and, as they learn new key coding skills, they can take on additional challenges and more complex activities.

Using the Root coding app in the classroom.

The Root solutions offer educational opportunities that grow alongside students, who can use it from Pre-K through high school. In addition to drawing artwork, students can program the Root to play music, respond to touch, and a lot more. Most importantly, the Root Coding app is very user-friendly and provides integrated help so students can use this educational robotics kit without relying on an instructor. Whatever their preference is, learning with Root unlocks various programming opportunities, like exploring sequences and patterns, and eventually working up to advanced programming languages, like Python, Swift, and JavaScript. The Root Coding app also includes a trial of Root Academy, which features exclusive educator content, lessons, and project ideas. To learn more about one of most capable programmable robots in Root, explore the Eduporium store.

The Cue Robot: One of the Best Coding Tools for Middle School

It's been around for a while but the Cue Robot remains effective in helping students progress in CS skill development. Coding with the Cue helps middle school students build on the knowledge they've learned in the earlier grades. It’s similar to the Dash Robot and, when getting started with the Cue Robot, students can first explore block programming. These projects progress quickly, however, since the real benefits the Cue provides include introducing text-based coding—most notably, the JavaScript language. Obviously, this language is very prominent in the STEM world and the Cue helps educators introduce it with purposeful activities.

The social side of Cue Robot programming.

The Cue Robot can take on different personalities and students can choose which one to use. It also communicates with students directly, including witty remarks based on how they program it. The Cue provides a highly interactive coding experience, even allowing students to send chats from their device to the robot. These chats tell the robot what to do in the same way that a set of block code would. As students use the Cue more regularly, the robot also begins to learn about them and develops new abilities based on how they act. Students can program the Cue Robot using block-based or text code within the Cue-specific coding app, creating programs that range from super simple to more complex.

The Cue Robot education packs.

The Cue Robot is available as a single unit or in various classroom packs for computer science implementation throughout schools or districts. As far as compatibility, the Cue works with most iOS and Android devices and connects to the Cue by Wonder Workshop app via Bluetooth. The single-unit Cue comes with the robot, charging cable, stickers, warranty, and connector blocks for building structures onto the Cue. From a hardware standpoint, it has various internal and external sensors so that it's completely aware of its environment. It's also very durable, which significantly reduces the likelihood of it sustaining damage (though we still don’t recommend being careless). To order a Cue Robot and empower students to go further with programming, grab one from our store!

databot Robot 2.0: Sensors, Coding, and More

A big part of coding education is starting in the right place and ensuring students progress to using tools that align with their skill sets. Now that we've covered how to first introduce coding at a young age and provided suggestions for the best coding robots in different grade levels, let's finish up with something for high school students. The databot 2.0 is, at its core, a very capable robot. It differs from the other four programmable robots on this list, however, due to one simple feature. While still programmable, the databot 2.0 does not move. This means students are unable to program it to travel to different places or complete classroom robot mazes. What they can do with it, however, makes the databot 2.0 one of the most capable school robotics solutions.

The extensive set of databot sensors.

The databot 2.0 is shaped like a flat cube and students can hold it in the palms of their hands. Despite its compact size, it has 16 built-in sensors, allowing students to literally capture real-world data from their learning environment. They can use the databot 2.0 in the classroom, outside, or even at home. Among the databot 2.0 sensors, it has a CO2 sensor, air pressure sensor, altitude sensor, magnetism sensor, ambient light sensor, UV sensor, sound sensor, and more. It also has proximity sensors, a gyroscope, and an external temperature probe. With all these sensors, the databot 2.0 is an excellent addition to school CTE programs and the real-world connections students can make are second to none.

Not as much coding but still one of the best robots.

New to the databot 2.0, students can capture data in real-time using a mobile app that's unique to this robot. Known as Vizeey, it pairs easily with the robot and a range of mobile devices. With the Vizeey app and the databot, students can stream and explore the data the databot collects in real time. Since it has such an array of sensors, the opportunities for using the databot in the classroom are certainly extensive. With the databot 2.0 kits (single, 2-pack, or 10-pack), educators also receive access to the databot curriculum library, which helps make it easy to find relevant classroom STEM projects for students. To explore the databot Robot 2.0 more, visit our store.

For more on the top classroom robotics tools, explore the rest of the content on our blog and check out the robotics section of our store. As always, our team is happy to provide consultation in your search for the best coding robots for your classroom. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime or give us a call to get started. For the latest EdTech, STEM, and 21st century education news, follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Like us on Facebook, too, or sign up for our newsletter for our latest product announcements and offerings.