Robot Allows Sick Student to Attend School

Austin American-Statesman
Category: Education
Level: Local/State
This article is concerning a problem/issue that individuals/families face as well as a solution that is being implemented.

Why it is important:
The development of these robots is making the difficult lives of these children easier. Anything that can be done to promote and foster normalcy is something worth looking into and implementing within all aspects of their daily lives.

My views:
This isn't exactly a policy, and even if the use of these robots by school districts does not come to pass in some kind of bill, individual districts can definitely set up their own policies for the use of the robots by students in need.
I believe that all children should have a sense of stability and predictability in their lives. That sense of safety allows them to open up and succeed in areas of their life such as school, extra curricular activities, etc. When sickness and hospitalization strikes, school gets shoved to the back burner and the child is not only adjusting to a new lifestyle that includes medication and doctors but also to the unfamiliarity of a tutor and a learning environment that does not include their friends.
The use of these robots in fantastic and innovative. These sick children may not be able to join their classmates at recess or take a spelling quiz at their desk, but they can get one step closer.
This new way of returning to class is an adjustment in itself but there is a much higher level of familiarity which will prove to be easier for the child to cope with.
The hospitalized child is not the only one who must adjust to change. The class that loses this child from their daily routines is also going to benefit from the presence of the robot. Students are able to interact and "play" with their friend who otherwise would have been missing for an extended period of time and that in itself will beg a level of comfort to everyone involved.
Basically, these robots are a wonderful way for these children to regain some stability and keep them connected with their friends and class which will enhance their learning experience and bring a few simple joys back to their lives.