How Might Robots Change Our Daily Lives? A Primary School Assembly and Classroom Discussion

Explore the latest Picture News resource here This week’s Picture News poster and big question exploring robots in our daily lives. Robots often spark children’s curiosity . When I hear the word “robot”, I tend to picture a small silver mechanical toy or the eccentric robot dance move on the dance floor. But what do the children in your class imagine when they hear that word? For many pupils, robots already appear in films, games, toys and stories. These everyday references often lead to interesting questions. What exactly is a robot? What jobs can robots do? Could robots help people even more in the future? Recent news stories about humanoid robots performing during celebrations around the world have brought these ideas back into conversation, prompting discussion about how robots might shape the future. Robots in the news: a primary school assembly discussion In assembly, pupils are introduced to humanoid robots performing at China’s Lunar New Year Gala, one of the most widely watched television celebrations in the world. During the performance, the robots danced in time to music, performed kung fu-style movements and even carried out acrobatic routines on stage. Looking more closely at how the robots were able to perform helps children understand the technology behind them . Artificial intelligence, sensors to help them balance and cameras that allow them to “see” the stage all work together so the robots can move safely and accurately. This example encourages pupils to think about how robots are programmed to complete specific tasks and raises an interesting question for discussion: might we see robots appearing more often in entertainment in the future? And more so as part of our daily lives? Assembly resources used to support discussion about the robot story PSHE and classroom discussion in primary schools Thinking about robots quickly leads children to consider the difference between what machines can do and what people do . Robots can follow instructions and repeat tasks accurately, but they rely on humans to design them, programme them and decide how they are used. This opens useful discussion in class. Pupils can reflect on the kinds of tasks robots might be able to complete and the qualities that remain uniquely human, such as empathy, judgement and creativity. In the Picture News Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 resources, children explore examples of robots already used in everyday life — from robot vacuum cleaners and smart assistants to drones, surgical robots and self-driving cars. Looking at these examples helps children consider how technology can support people while recognising the continued role of human decision-making and emotions. Classroom resource exploring robots and what they can do Questions to support classroom discussion Teachers might explore questions such as: What is a robot and how does it work? What kinds of jobs do robots already help people with? Which jobs might robots be able to do in the future? Are there jobs that should always be done by humans? Why? If you could design a robot, what would you want it to help with? Using current events in primary school assemblies and lessons How might robots change our daily lives? Exploring this question encourages children to think about how technology develops and how people choose to use it. For many children, the world they grow up into may look very different from the one we know today. Talking about robots in this context allows pupils to imagine possible futures while reflecting on the human judgement, creativity and responsibility that will continue to shape how technology is used. Classroom resource exploring the range of jobs robots can already perform Current news stories like this give pupils the opportunity to think about how technology is changing and what that might mean for the world they will grow up into. Explore the latest Picture News resource here