Beyond BB-8: How the Sphero is helping students with autism learn

It may be best known for the BB-8, but Sphero's robotic toys have uses well beyond Star Wars.

Aspect Hunter School in Sydney, Australia is a school for children on the autism spectrum. The school is attended by 130 kids, beginning at age four, as well as around 30 Spheros.

Robotic balls that can moved remotely and programmed, the Sphero is offering the students new ways to learn social, emotional and academic skills.

Teaching at the school for around 10 years, Deputy Principal Craig Smith explained he uses three main methods to engage the kids in learning and play. The first is interaction with the natural world, such as gardening; the second is construction using toys such as Lego; and the third is through virtual tools, such as Minecraft. Read more...