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We are so lucky to have a class set of Ozzobots that we can incorporate in our lessons to improve student engagement and to providing coding opportunities for all our students. 

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We are so lucky to have a class set of Ozzobots that we can incorporate in our lessons to improve student engagement and to providing coding opportunities for all our students. 

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The students really enjoy using our school's Beebots to code and create mazes. 

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The students really enjoy using our school's Beebots to code and create mazes. 

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In Social Studies class, drones can be used for mapping skills and in Math class, drones can be used to engage the students and to provide great opportunities to make classes more interactive and relevant for the student. Here is a great articles about the benefits of using drones in the classroom. 

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In Social Studies class, drones can be used for mapping skills and in Math class, drones can be used to engage the students and to provide great opportunities to make classes more interactive and relevant for the student. Here is a great articles about the benefits of using drones in the classroom. 

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Sorry, this entry is only available in European Spanish. For the sake of viewer convenience, the content is shown below in the alternative language. You may click the link to switch the active language.

Drones seem to be everywhere these days. These unmanned semi-autonomous vehicles, have seen a lot of hype recently, as they are becoming central (or at least potentially central) to a wide set of activities: from TV and online newscasting, to law enforcement, healthcare, and even goods delivery. But there's a field where drones aren't portrayed that often, but where some savvy teachers are starting to use them with some promising results. That field is education.

There are many benefits to using drones in the classroom. Whether we are speaking of a sophisticated multirotor vehicle that can be controlled from a computer and fly several hundred meters away, or a smaller, much cheaper quadcopter operated from a smartphone, these devices are certainly engaging, and can provide great opportunities to make classes more interactive, and relevant to students.

But drones can do a lot more than appealing students and catching their attention. Teachers are finding that they can help enhance students' orientation and motor skills, to help them build a better understanding of the world around them, enrich their imagination, and spark their curiosity in ways that can be very beneficial, even when it comes to learning topics that may seem completely unrelated to this technology and its possibilities.

Today we will review five different ways on which teachers around the world are using drones to enhance their lessons, and help their students learn new skills and acquire knowledge.

They are a Great Fit for Social Studies Classes

Teaching Social Studies is, perhaps, the most obvious usage a teacher can give to a drone. By allowing students to operate these machines, educators can inspire students to learn about local geography, about cartography, and about the local history of their communities.

These tools can be very powerful to allow students to work on transmedia learning projects, creating their own videos, paintings, presentations, websites, and other kinds of contents derived from the images and the information captured with these flying machines.

Drones are Powerful Math Teaching Tools

Being inherently abstract, math can be a challenging subject to teach to younger students. But using engaging tools like drones, teachers can give a real world application to mathematical problems and equations, and help students not only realize the great power of this subject, but also to see the actual result of their work.

Schools around the world are experimenting with drones for this very reason. A school in Bangkok, for instance, is having students learn how to make and read graphs, calculate distances, and acquire some basic trigonometry concepts by following the path of different drones operated by other students. In higher courses, drones can be used to engage students into dealing with more advanced equations, for example applying the Bernoulli principle to calculate stall speeds (the minimum speed at which an aerial vehicle loses lift and falls off the sky) and testing it in real life.

They Provide a Frame to Teach STEM Related Topics

Math is just the beginning. Drones can be very powerful tools to teach STEM related topics in general. Flying these devices can provide very real examples of how physical laws work, and building and enhancing them can also teach students about electronics, and even chemistry.

Many teachers are also using drones to teach programming. In the same way many schools have adopted robots in order to provide a frame that allows students to experience first-hand the effects of their code, many educators are using drones to engage students into writing programs that allow drones to conduct autonomous flights. This can be very useful to teach computational thinking, and help younger students realize the great power of those skills.

Drones can Help Students Develop Soft Skills

Social and emotional skills are becoming increasingly important, and in the context of a 21 st century education that prepares students for an unforeseeable professional future, it has become a high priority for many schools to help their students acquire abilities such as communication, collaborative work, flexibility, self-learning, and empathy. And drones can be a powerful tool for their development.

Some educators are suggesting using drones as part of team projects that require students to work together toward achieving common goals, often in the form of creating shapes, building a structure, or performing a particular action that requires a certain coordination and can be viewed from above. By allowing students to visualize themselves from above, and from other different perspectives, drones can be very graphic in portraying students as part of something bigger, and as members of an organization, rather than as the center of it.

Drones in Higher Education

University courses can greatly benefit from the introduction of drones. Students from fields as varied as journalism, engineering, and even archeology have started using this technology to enhance their professional training and to add real-world examples to their studies.

For instance, Oregon State University's Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center is using drones provided by Boeing to conduct studies on the effects of droughts and fertilizers on potato production. The drones make it easy for students and researchers to survey large fields and observe how different plantations react to different conditions, both from above and on close flybys. This would be much harder if it weren't for these tools.

Architecture students, are also using drones. But they use them to conduct façade inspections on buildings, and learn more about structures and construction techniques. Botany, forestry and biology students are also benefiting from this technology, as it enables them to reach wildlife and plants that are otherwise harder to grasp.

And, while it may sound obvious, students from different engineering fields, including electronic engineering and, of course, aeronautical engineering are greatly benefiting from drones, as they allow them to build and test concepts at very low costs, and try them on real life environments and conditions.

Drones can be very powerful learning tools. And, unlike other technological innovations which are often developed or brought to market by entrepreneurs, it is teachers themselves who have are finding new uses and applications that can truly unveil their teaching potential.
Photo: Public Domain (CC0)

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Five Ways in Which Teachers Are Using Drones in the Classroom

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Sorry, this entry is only available in European Spanish. For the sake of viewer convenience, the content is shown below in the alternative language. You may click the link to switch the active language. Drones seem to be everywhere these days.

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Safety First: The students would be taught how to safely fly the mini drones. The teacher would review the laws and rules with the students ensuring to teach them the importance of flying the drones in the right environment.The drones would be kept locked in the Makerspace.

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Coding promotes higher level thinking skills, collaboration, persistence, communication and computational thinking. 

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Coding promotes higher level thinking skills, collaboration, persistence, communication and computational thinking. 

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The tech club often uses Dash, Dot and Sphero when exploring robotics and coding. 

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The tech club often uses Dash, Dot and Sphero when exploring robotics and coding. 

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We would love to add Quadcopter Mini Drones to our collection of Robots.  We could use the Drones 101 curriculum from Tynker to learn how to program the drones to fly around obstacles. It would be a great coding opportunity for the students.

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We would love to add Quadcopter Mini Drones to our collection of Robots.  We could use the Drones 101 curriculum from Tynker to learn how to program the drones to fly around obstacles. It would be a great coding opportunity for the students.

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Looking for a mini drone that's as big as your hand? Or would you prefer a micro or nano drone that you can fit in your pocket? With the huge range of the choice now out there, it would be incredibly frustrating to buy a micro drone that doesn't really give you a bang for your buck.

The first thing to consider when buying a mini quadcopter is what you need it for. Do you want a camera, or is it just for play? Then, assess whether the size, weight, or capability match your requirements.

We'll give you the lowdown on all the features to look out for on models listed on Amazon. Keep these best-selling micro drones in mind to help you make a more informed purchase - and don't forget to check with the FAA in the US in case your small drone needs registering.

Here are our top 10 mini drones and micro drones listed on Amazon.

10 Best Mini Drones of 2020:

Micro Drone Reviews
Check Prices on Amazon
This Spark Mini Drone takes off and hovers in place seconds after being powered on. It takes stunning aerial photographs without a remote controller or mobile device, using only hand gestures. The Spark Mini Drone is one of the best camera drones as well. Its Intelligent Flight Modes and intuitive controls let you create aerial videos that are cinematic in scope in just a few taps. It has a maximum flight time of 16 minutes and a top speed of 50 km per hour.

Hand gestures operate front camera and object detection

Small enough to carry around easily

Mechanically stabilizes 2 axis of movement for smoother video

Adjustable camera angle while flying

12 MP camera for high-quality photos

GPS/GLONASS satellite positioning enhances flight stability

Records 1080p video only

Limited flight hover time

Limited lifespan for battery

May be better suited as a racing or selfie drone

Packed with features, this mini drone with camera is a solid performer in both flight and video. With a top speed of 31 mph in its Sport mode, the DJI Spark Mini can fly up to 1.2 miles away with a controller. Boosted by GPS and flight sensors, its intelligent flying lowers the risk of accidents. Meanwhile, with its two-axis gimbal, you can be assured of smooth, high-quality video.

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Potensic A20 Mini Drone

This micro drone is an ideal kids drone or for those just starting out flying drones. Its three adjustable speed levels, plus Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, and One-Key Taking-Off/Landing make the Potensic A20 a stable flyer and easy to control. Using the Remote Controller, you can fly the mini drone in any direction. Extremely portable, the Potensic A20 is the width of an iPhone 5.

The perfect mini drone for kids, or for beginner pilots. With its Altitude Hold function, this mini drone is a safe, stable flyer indoors and out. Its one-key function for take-off and landing and Remote Controller make it super easy to control and fly in any direction.
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The 2 MP HD camera lets you take videos and photos while flying

Blade protector enhances flight safety

Flashing color lights for night and day flights outdoors and in

6-8 minute flight time

Video can't be viewed in real-time as downloaded onto micro SD card

Charging time 40-50 minutes

Another great starter drone for the little and big kids in your life, the Syma X11 comes with a 6 axis gyro direction stabilizer and 3D lock for more precise flight. With 360 degree eversion, you can continuously roll this micro quadcopter in the air - perfect performing flips and other aerial tricks.
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Easy to fly and able to withstand minor gusts of wind, the Syma X11 small drone with camera is a stable little flyer with the added bonus of capturing photos and videos. Ideal if you're starting out or want to introduce your kids to a small drone, the Syma X11 is easy to control.

Recharge time 30-45 minutes

Only suitable for light winds outdoors

Hubsan X4 H107L Mini Drone

With its 6-axis flight control system and lightweight airframe, the Hubsan X4 H107L is an upgraded, LED version of the H107. This micro drone comes in a Royal Blue finish. It's lightweight enough for indoor flight, but can handle the outdoors, helped by the quad-rotor thrust and LiPo battery which recharges quickly.
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If you're looking for a super-fast, light miniature drone, then the X4 could be the one for you. Its Expert Mode is the one go to for if you're keen on aerial stunts, but bear in mind that this mini quadcopter then becomes even more responsive and nimble. The Propeller Guards are a handy way to keep it safer from collisions if you're still learning the ropes.

Cheerwing Syma X20 Mini Drone

One of the smallest models by Syma, this quadcopter makes a great mini drone for use indoors by your kids or beginners. The propeller guards and battery are built in, so there's no detachable battery or parts. Very responsive when in flight, the Syma X20 can perform 3D flips, using the small round radio controller with controls that slide in all directions. Other handy features include Return to Home and Altitude Hold.
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A highly affordable mini drone for both big and little kids who want something nimble indoors. As the battery isn't detachable, you may have to wait up to 50 minutes for the battery to recharge, however. If you prefer control sticks, you may find the small, round radio controller takes a while to get used to.

Holy Stone HS170 Mini Drone

Perfect for beginner flyers, the Holy Stone HS170 can perform stunts and looks good, too. This agile mini drone is easy to control, and can perform aerial flips, but doesn't come with a camera. With a tough, durable design, it features curved propeller guards to guard against ceiling impact and landing feet for protection against rough landings.
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A great mini drone for both inside and out, the 6-axis Gyro Technology lets the HS170 flip and roll at the touch of a button. This quadcopter has powerful, responsive motors for an average flight time of 8 minutes. As it weighs less than 0.55 lb, you won't need to register it with the FAA.

Battery for transmitter not included

Cheerson CX-10 Mini Drone

Easy to spot in bright orange, you just throw this 4 channel mini rolling quadcopter in the air to fly. It also hovers, does flips and side flights, with an average flight time of up to 4 minutes. With a 0.3 MP camera, you can take both photos and videos. The handy low voltage alarm warns you when it's time to land if the battery is nearly dead.
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Affordable and fun to use, this mini drone has a transmission range of up to 30 meters. Easy to learn, this is one of the best micro drones for both learners and more proficient flyers.

2.4 GHz remote control technology enables more precise control

One-key Return Function so the drone can find its way home easily

Pneumatic positioning for accurate, steady hovering

Real-time image transmission

Intelligent control via WIFI Mobile phone app

High-quality camera

Battery for remote control not included

Flight time approximately 8 minutes

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With all of the parts protected by a net cage, this mini drone is durable and more resistant to collisions. It can be controlled easily, thanks to a 6-axis flight control system, and its 3D-flip function together with headless mode make the Rabing Mini FPV plenty of fun.

SC card not included

Flight time 5 to 6 minutes

Flight distance approximately 20 meters

With a charger that plugs directly into this mini drone, this is perfect for beginners as it's very easy to learn. The durable frame is useful for protecting the propellers. Expect huge amounts of fun with this tiny drone.
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Eachine E10C Mini Quadcopter

This boasts impressive performance despite its size. This nano drone with camera is easy to control indoors and its flight is very stable. Switch to the fast rate when flying outdoors, particularly when it's windy. The controls are accessible even for adult-sized hands.

A cool-looking mini drone which is perfect for flying indoors, with 3D flips and rolls at the touch of a button. Outdoors, it has limited tolerance of wind. The battery is swappable, so keep a few extra batteries spare in case it runs low.

Another throw-and-go model, the Tello Quadcopter features a 5 MP camera that records JPEG photos and 720p MP4 video. With its Bounce mode, the Tello flies up and down automatically from your hand. Take off and landing is easy, with one single tap.

Well-built, powerful, the Tello is fun to fly and can take high-resolution pictures, too. For more advanced users, the Tello is programmable with Scratch, a coding system developed by MIT so your kids or teens learn the basics of programming. It can fly up to 10 m vertically and has an impressive range of 100 m. An inexpensive beginners drone.

Buyers Guide - What To Look For When Buying Mini Quadcopters

Micro drones are the smallest and most accessible of the drone family if you're a newbie. Consider these factors when you're about to part with your hard-earned cash.

With so many factors to consider, we've distilled the main points to look for when buying your done...

The compact size of both the quadcopter and controller are important to consider if you want to take them outside. With its smaller size, if a micro drone crashes, the damage is less, due to its reduced overall mass.

Look out for those with rechargeable batteries and a USB cable. You may want to buy some extra batteries to take out with you to boost flying time.

Other features to consider are internal gyroscopes to stabilize flight - this especially helps if you want to fly outside.

These will protect the micro drone from banging against furniture when flying indoors, or trees and foliage outdoors. This is also a good feature if you're using the drone with children: propeller guards will prevent them from injuring themselves or anyone else if they lose control of the device.

If you're just starting out, it's recommended that you opt for a cheaper drone that's easier to operate, and in case of collisions. For those with more flying experience, go for a more advanced model.

Perhaps you want to take stunning aerial photography or videos. Or maybe you want to race your friends, or the children in your life, indoors and outdoors. Once you're clear on why you're looking for a macro drone, you can narrow down your search.

Cheaper models will have fewer features, while the more expensive drones will have cool benefits such as GPS sensors to automatically set location coordinates. The choice is yours.

Final Thoughts on Micro Drones

Because mini drones are so popular with kids, it's important to choose one that's child-friendly if you plan on giving one to someone under the age of about 16. Bear in mind that piloting a drone takes skill, and dropping $150 on a device for your child to destroy within 10 minutes won't please anyone! Cheaper drone models without complex functions are best here, like the Eachine E10C or Cheerson CX-10 Mini.

If you're after a steady-flying drone with a great camera for adults only, the pricey (but worth it) DJI Spark Portable Mini, or the stylish Tello Quadcopter with VR headset connectivity, is perfect for you.

We hope this guide has narrowed down your search for the best nano drone for you. Keep these details in mind when you head to Amazon to make your purchase!

Check out other Top-Rated Drones:

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10 Best Mini Drones and Micro Drones of 2020

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Looking for a mini drone that's as big as your hand? Or would you prefer a micro or nano drone that you can fit in your pocket? With the huge range of the choice now out there, it would be incredibly frustrating to buy a micro drone that doesn't really give you a bang for your buck.

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We would love to purchase more robotics for our school to enhance critical thinking and create enriched, hands-on lessons for the students. This is a fantastic article that describes the benefit of incorporating coding and robotics in our classrooms. 

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We would love to purchase more robotics for our school to enhance critical thinking and create enriched, hands-on lessons for the students. This is a fantastic article that describes the benefit of incorporating coding and robotics in our classrooms. 

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Posted By christina On July 9, 2019 in Blog

Coding and programming is how we interact with computers and what we use to construct and run websites, video games, apps etc. Learning to code means to learn to speak and write in the computer's language. While this may seem hard, technology is a huge part of children's life today and it is essential for young students to learn how to design, develop and communicate with digital technology. Some even say that coding is the new literacy.

Since prolonged screen time is proven to have negative side effects on kids, there are screen free programming robots for kids available for those in pre-K through Grade 2. These coding robots have been incorporated into classrooms to teach programming for young kids, who are able to learn coding through exploration and discovery.

Here are 9 benefits to learning programming with coding robots for kids

1. Creativity
Coding empowers young children to consume digital technology but also be the producers of it. Instead of just playing a game, they can create one themselves.

2. Computational Thinking
By learning to code, early learners will also learn computational thinking which enables them to develop cognitive skills and learn logical and sequential thought processes. In this way, they will be able to test their code, spot any errors and quickly solve them quickly and easily. This can also be applied to other situations and will help students in all areas of life.

3. Collaboration
Coding also encourages collaboration as kids work alongside their peers, regardless of every race, gender and background, as they are joined by a common interest in technology and their project work. Students collaborate with fellow students and share what they learn with their teachers and parents.

4. Communication
Communication is an important skill that is required throughout school, work and life. When young kids learn to code, they learn to communicate with technology. This teaches them how to break down complex ideas, arrange and share them.

5. Persistence
Learning to code is a challenge for younger students as tackling complex problems can be frustrating. Through coding, early learners are able to, through persistence, complete the task at hand.

6. Understanding
Students are able to better understand the world around them with programming knowledge. It can change the way they interact with the technologies used daily and can introduce them to new possibilities.

7. Career
Coding provides career advantages as these early learners have an understanding and enjoyment for STEAM that can take them into many desirable career paths.

8. Logic
Since logical thinking is required for the coding of robots, students are able to formulate step by step sequences to create a desirable outcome. In this way, young children are also able to avoid problems by anticipating them, testing, and fixing their code.

9. Algorithmic Thinking
Along with these skills, kids also learn algorithmic thinking which is the ability to define clear steps to solve a problem. It enables kids to solve problems by breaking them down into a step by step procedure.

KIBO, the learning robot designed specifically for kids, offers an inviting, engaging platform for young children to start their journey into creating with code in a fun and creative way. KIBO's block-based coding language gives children control over the robot's movements, sounds, and sensors, allowing them to express their imaginations with code. The KIBO curriculum for educators also teaches children to tell stories, create characters, and explore the world around them through code. KIBO is the number one choice in screen-free coding for kids - trusted by more parents and schools to introduce today's youth to the wonders of technology and robotics.

Learn the 6 Key Benefits of Using Robotics with Your Youngest Students!

Introduce coding and robotics into your early childhood classrooms - in a fun and playful way!

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9 Benefits of Programming Robots for Kids | KinderLab Robotics

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Posted By christina On July 9, 2019 in Blog Coding and programming is how we interact with computers and what we use to construct and run websites, video games, apps etc. Learning to code means to learn to speak and write in the computer's language.