Across the U.S., school districts are searching for innovative ways to engage students, support diverse learning needs, and build 21st-century skills. At Blanche Charles Elementary in Calexico Unified School District, educators found a powerful solution in Ozobot coding robots.
By integrating Ozobot into their English Language Development (ELD) program, the district saw measurable gains in English proficiency, while also sparking collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving across the classroom.
The Challenge: Engaging English Learners
English Learners (ELs), especially those at Level 1, often require structured, scaffolded instruction that balances visual aids, modeling, and interactive practice. Traditional methods sometimes fall short in keeping students engaged while addressing the four language domains: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Educators in Calexico wanted a solution that:
- Boosted comprehension and vocabulary.
- Increased student motivation and participation.
- Aligned with California ELD and ELA standards.
- Built essential digital literacy skills.
The Ozobot Solution
Blanche Charles Elementary introduced Ozobot as a hands-on, interactive learning tool that transforms coding into a language-learning experience. Using Ozobot Color Codes, students not only coded robots but also described their steps in English, applied academic vocabulary, and collaborated on projects.
The program followed a structured model:
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Warm-Up & Modeling
Teachers introduced new vocabulary and language structures within the context of Ozobot activities. -
Guided Practice
Students coded their robots in groups, practicing spoken and written English with structured sentence frames. -
Independent Application
Learners created original challenges or narratives, applying new vocabulary and grammar in authentic contexts. -
Reinforcement
Students reinforced their learning through oral presentations, peer discussions, and written reflections.
The Results: Higher Proficiency, Greater Engagement
The outcomes were clear and compelling:
- ELPAC Gains
- From 2022 to 2023: 55.1% of students advanced, a 10.7% increase from the year before.
- From 2023 to 2024: 60.1% of students advanced, another 5% increase.
- Overall ELPAC score growth: 1372 points (2021) → 1616 points (2024).
- Student Engagement
Students were more motivated to participate, using English actively and confidently. - Equitable Access
ELs gained both language proficiency and foundational coding skills, preparing them for future academic and career success.
Beyond English Learners: Benefits for Every Classroom
While this case study highlights success with English Learners, Ozobot’s impact extends to all K–12 students. Districts across the country are using Ozobot to:
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Integrate STEM Across Subjects
From math to ELA, Ozobot makes abstract concepts concrete through hands-on coding and storytelling. -
Support Cross-Curricular Learning
Teachers easily adapt Ozobot activities for science experiments, history timelines, or creative writing projects. -
Develop Future-Ready Skills
Students practice problem-solving, collaboration, and computational thinking — skills critical for the modern workforce. -
Engage All Learning Styles
Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners all benefit from Ozobot’s interactive, multi-modal approach.
Educator Perspectives
“For multilingual learners, Ozobot becomes more than a tool — it’s a bridge to mastering English while strengthening their creativity and coding fluency.” — Robert Stone, Literacy Coach
“Ozobots are perfect as an educational technology tool because they go beyond being a toy. They prepare students to be comfortable with technology and ready for the future.” — Jesus Huerta, Tech Coach
A Scalable Model for Your District
The Calexico success story proves that Ozobot is not just a robotics program; it’s a pathway to stronger language skills, higher engagement, and broader STEM integration. Whether your district’s goal is improving ELD outcomes or building cross-curricular STEAM programs, Ozobot offers a scalable, proven model to support teachers and inspire students.
Ready to Bring Ozobot to Your Schools?
Learn more about how Ozobot can enhance learning for English Learners and beyond, explore our Pacing Guides and Standards-Aligned lessons, and shop our coding robots here.
