Stimulating creativity and critical thinking at school through Robotics and Artificial Intelligence: A case study in South India.

Abstract

In the rapidly changing today's world, it is increasingly clear that success is not only based on what we know or how much we know, but in our ability to think and act creatively. Unfortunately, in most cases, traditional learning models in schools are often not focused on developing creative thinking. This problem is further accentuated in developing countries, where creativity, properly used, could become a fundamental tool to reduce poverty and to stimulate sustainable human development. This article describes a pilot project funded by the University of Girona, combining educational innovation and development cooperation, and which has been held at Shanti Bhavan, a rural school in South India. The project, based on the theory of Constructionism, consisted of several workshops where, through the Information and Communication Technologies (specifically Robotics and Artificial Intelligence), creativity and critical thinking of children were encouraged, while simultaneously and through play and exploration, a non-formal review of the most problematic subjects in rural India was conducted. The long term goal is that these children will become agents of change, creative and innovative in their own communities, and, committed to their social reality they will be able to propose new alternatives to improve their quality of life, and to implement projects to create wealth in different social fields.