Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Robolink CoDrone EDU vs. DJI Tello Comparison Chart
3. Key Considerations
1. Drones Built for Educators, by Educators
2. Section 889 Compliance and Competitions
4. Conclusion: Why Drones?

Introduction

Whether you’re a CS teacher, media specialist, or volunteer coach for competitions, you may know that drones are a highly engaging way to build programming and STEM skills. They literally take engagement to new heights, allowing students to apply STEM skills beyond screens and in scenarios that reflect real careers and industries like search and rescue, city planning, security, and much more.

What if we told you that a previously popular choice for drones for STEM education might not be the best fit for your classroom? 

At Robolink, we get a lot of questions about how our CoDrone EDU compares to another leading educational drone: DJI’s Tello drone. In this guide, we’ll explore the surprising advantages of both and share a Comparison Chart to help you find the right drone for your students.

CoDrone EDU vs. DJI Tello Comparison Chart

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At Robolink, we believe in and support any drone program that empowers students with real-world skills and prepares them for real careers. With a classroom-friendly price point, it’s no surprise that the Tello became a fast favorite for teachers and students alike. However, we tend to agree with The Drone Girl’s Sally French and countless school districts, who have singled out Robolink drones as the strongest alternative to the Tello. DJI’s Tello has a camera (a huge plus, especially for professional drone pilots), but CoDrone EDU comes with curriculum, lesson plans, simple support documentation, and challenges for the classroom. In addition, various sources report that DJI’s Tello has been discontinued and availability is getting more and more limited. 

With all that in mind, here are our top two things to look for when purchasing drones for STEM education.

1 - Drones Built for Educators, by Educators

CoDrone EDU was designed and built specifically for classrooms by a team of former educators. At Robolink, we started out as an afterschool STEM learning center before designing the drone product of our dreams. Our team has collectively taught over 8,000 students, so we knew how to prioritize educators and their students with every aspect of CoDrone EDU. 

Here’s a comprehensive list of ways to tell if a drone was (or was not!) built with teachers top of mind:

• Ease of Use: Educational drones should be designed to be user-friendly for all teachers, not just computer science teachers and tech coaches. Check out reviews and how educators rate ease of use. CoDrone EDU, for example, comes already paired, meaning you can fly and code the drone within minutes of unboxing.
• Compatible Devices: Beware drones that require a not-so-classroom-friendly smartphone or tablet. Instead, look for drones that (1) work with classroom technology like Chromebooks or Windows computers, and (2) come with a controller for piloting. Bonus points if that controller is programmable!
• Connection Stability: Seek out drones that do not require you to connect via WiFi or Bluetooth in order to support more than eight simultaneous, stable connections per classroom. With Bluetooth/WiFi-enabled drones, you’ll start seeing disruption and connection issues with seven or more connections. This single factor can make all the difference between fun and frustration in the classroom. 
• Classroom Packages: Does the drone manufacturer bundle sets, with savings for schools and professional development (PD) options? Comprehensive classroom packages make it easier to implement drones for STEM education.
• Curriculum: High-quality curriculum is also key for maximizing impact with  educational drones. At Robolink, curriculum is developed in-house by engineers and instructional designers with classroom experience, who create high-quality content with ISTE and CSTA, and standards in mind.
• Flexible PD: Quality, virtual PD ensures that every teacher in your organization can confidently elevate their lessons with drone technology. Our CoDrone EDU Classroom Packages, for example, include accessible-and-engaging virtual PD courses.

2 - NDAA Section 889 Compliance and More

Any schools looking to integrate drones and related technology into their curriculum using federal grants cannot afford to ignore Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

What is Section 889? Here it is, in a nutshell:

• Part A: Part A of Section 889 prohibits federal agencies from procuring or obtaining any telecommunications and video surveillance equipment or services from certain companies deemed to be a security risk, including several Chinese companies that are leaders in telecommunications and surveillance technology.
• Part B: Part B extends the prohibition to federal agencies from contracting with entities that use components or services from the blacklisted companies.

With Shenzhen-based DJI Technology (DJI) squarely on the list of banned companies under Section 889, many schools and districts have had to find alternatives to the Tello drone, even before recent availability issues. 

Make sure the drones you’re purchasing, like CoDrone EDU, are compliant with Section 889. Beyond that, look into whether the drones you’re considering will give you the flexibility to compete as your STEM or CS program grows. Thanks to an ongoing partnership with Robolink and the REC Foundation, CoDrone EDU has been an official drone of the Aerial Drone Competition for two years running. 

Conclusion: Why Drones?

We hope you found this Drone Comparison Chart and summary of factors to look for helpful. Whichever product you choose, pat yourself on the back for bringing future-ready learning in all three dimensions to your students with drones for STEM education. Like robotics, drones allow for real-world applications, from search-and-rescue to environmental monitoring to fulfillment, but they also open up additional STEM and STEAM career pathways–from drone pilot to photographer. 

Drones are a great way to boost student engagement and confidence. Beyond bringing computer science and other subjects to life, they encourage students to embrace failure as they test, troubleshoot, and optimize code to perfect a flight path, for example. As industries continue to evolve, students who are curious and thrive with change will be set up to succeed no matter what.