Objective: 8 educational ways to use drones in your lessons
Age range: 5-1 8
Website: n/a

Drone technology has evolved considerably in the last few years. With decreasing costs and increasing functionality, it’s an accessible and affordable option as a teaching tool. Here’s how:

Method

1. Motor Skills: Flying a drone requires hand-eye coordination and sharp thinking abilities. So, simply by teaching a child to fly a drone, they’re develop those skills in a fun way.
2. Principles of aviation physics: Before even taking flight, students can learn about the design and build of drones. 
3. Laws of aviation: There are rules surrounding flying and airspace that can be investigated, from plotting and recording flight plans to determining when and where to fly. 
4. Higher Maths: Taking to the air involves a great deal of maths. Triangulating positions, velocities, distances, and times, etc.
5. Aerial video and photography: Drones with cameras can explore a different domain and offer a whole new perspective for video recording, film-making and photos.
6. Land survey: Take to the skies to explore the type of vegetation and land use in the area. 
7. Debate about drones: What rights should drone operators have? What can be done to enforce proper use and address privacy issues?
8. Sports: Send the drone up during a PE class or game to record students demonstrating an activity or routine, or follow a cross country race route, or watch the flight of a ball.

In the classroom

These are just some uses for drones. Tell us how you use yours at digital@interfacemagazine.co.nz