How social robots foster 21st century skills
Goren Gordon
Goren researches the potential of social robots in education to foster 21st-century skills: creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Social robots are designed to interact socially rather than perform tasks. They help students by modelling curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Goren’s research indicates that robots programmed to exhibit curiosity can enhance children’s own curiosity and engagement. He is developing cost-effective, 3D-printed robots that can be easily repaired and maintained, making them viable for schools with limited budgets. Goren envisions these robots not just as tools, but as part of a community-building initiative, where high school students help build and maintain them for younger students.
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“21st century skills [are] sometimes called super skills. They’re called the 4 Cs, so it’s about creativity, communication and collaboration and critical thinking… I would actually add another one, which is the 5th C, which is curiosity.”
Goren Gordon
Goren Gordon
Goren Gordon (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Engineering and head of the Curiosity Lab at Tel Aviv University. His research focuses on curiosity, integrating artificial curiosity algorithms with social robots. Goren’s work spans multiple disciplines, including computer science and education, aiming to foster curiosity in both children and adults. He holds multiple advanced degrees, including two PhDs, and completed a postdoc at MIT Media Lab. His contributions are significant in the fields of robotics and education, particularly in developing tools to assess and enhance curiosity.
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Goren Gordon