A cool new robot called “da Vinci Xi” is being used by surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital in the UK. They’re using it in their weight loss clinic for the first time. The surgeon said it’s like flying a plane because you have to use your hands, eyes, and feet to control everything. It might take some time to get used to, but they hope it will make surgeries faster and reduce waiting times for patients.

Because of COVID-19, there haven’t been as many weight loss surgeries as usual. But with the da Vinci Xi robot, the hospital wants to make these surgeries more efficient and available to more people. This robot helps surgeons do surgeries with better precision and control, which means better results for patients.

The da Vinci Xi robot has really cool features that make surgeons even better at what they do. It gives them a 3D view of the surgery site, so they can see better and be more accurate. The robot’s arms can move just like a surgeon’s hands, so they can do really delicate and precise movements. This robot is used in lots of different types of surgeries, like urology, gynecology, and general surgery.

Using robots in healthcare is a big deal. It makes surgeries better and helps patients recover faster. As more hospitals start using robots, waiting times for surgeries will go down, so more people can get the care they need when they need it. It’s a really exciting time for medical technology!

Original news source: Luton and Dunstable Hospital surgeon uses new robot (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Ask each group to read the article and discuss the main points.
3. Instruct each group to write a summary of the article in their own words, focusing on the key information.
4. After a designated time, have each group share their summaries with the class.
5. Encourage a discussion about the article and clarify any questions or misunderstandings.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Ask each group to discuss and form their own opinions about using robots in healthcare.
3. Provide a list of questions related to the topic, such as “Do you think using robots in surgery is a positive development?” or “Are there any potential drawbacks to using robots in healthcare?”
4. Instruct each group to conduct an opinion poll within their group, asking each member to share their thoughts on the questions.
5. After collecting the responses, have each group share their findings with the class and facilitate a discussion about the different opinions.

– Sketch It
Instructions:
1. Provide each student with a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.
2. Instruct the students to individually sketch a visual representation of the da Vinci Xi robot based on the description in the article.
3. After a designated time, have the students share their sketches with a partner or small group.
4. Encourage the students to discuss and compare their drawings, noting any similarities or differences.
5. Ask a few students to share their sketches with the class and discuss the different interpretations.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Write a list of key vocabulary words from the article on the board or a shared document.
2. Divide the class into two teams.
3. Choose one student from each team to come to the front of the class.
4. Call out one of the vocabulary words and instruct the two students to draw a quick sketch of the word on the board.
5. The rest of their team must try to guess the word based on the drawing.
6. The first team to correctly guess the word earns a point.
7. Continue with different students and vocabulary words until all the words have been used.
8. The team with the most points at the end wins the game.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into two groups.
2. Assign one group to brainstorm the pros (advantages) of using robots in healthcare, and the other group to brainstorm the cons (disadvantages).
3. Give the groups a designated amount of time to come up with their lists.
4. After the brainstorming session, have each group share their lists with the class.
5. Facilitate a class discussion, allowing students to express their opinions and debate the pros and cons of using robots in healthcare.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the name of the new robot being used by surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital?
2. How is using the da Vinci Xi robot compared to flying a plane?
3. Why does the hospital want to use the da Vinci Xi robot for weight loss surgeries?
4. How does the da Vinci Xi robot help surgeons during surgeries?
5. What types of surgeries can the da Vinci Xi robot be used for?
6. Why is using robots in healthcare important?
7. How can the use of robots in healthcare reduce waiting times for surgeries?
8. Why is the use of the da Vinci Xi robot an exciting development in medical technology?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A cool new robot called “da (1)______ Xi” is being used by surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital in the UK. They’re (2)______ it in their (3)______ loss clinic for the first time. The surgeon said it’s like flying a plane because you have to use your hands, eyes, and feet to (4)______ everything. It might take some time to get used to, but they hope it will make surgeries faster and reduce waiting times for patients.

Because of COVID-19, there haven’t been as many weight loss surgeries as usual. But with the da Vinci Xi robot, the hospital wants to make these surgeries more efficient and available to more (5)______. This robot (6)______ surgeons do surgeries with (7)______ (8)______ and control, which means better results for (9)______.

The da Vinci Xi (10)______ has really cool features that make (11)______ even better at what they do. It gives them a 3D view of the surgery site, so they can see better and be more accurate. The robot’s arms can move just like a surgeon’s hands, so they can do really delicate and precise (12)______. This robot is used in lots of different types of surgeries, like urology, gynecology, and general surgery.

Using robots in healthcare is a big deal. It (13)______ surgeries better and helps patients recover faster. As more hospitals (14)______ using robots, waiting times for surgeries will go down, so more people can get the care they need when they need it. It’s a really (15)______ time for medical (16)______!
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the da Vinci Xi robot and how is it being used at Luton and Dunstable Hospital?
2. How do you think using a robot to perform surgeries could make the process faster and more efficient?
3. Do you think using a robot for surgeries is a good idea? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if you had to undergo a surgery performed by a robot? Why?
5. What are some advantages of using the da Vinci Xi robot in weight loss surgeries?
6. Do you think using robots in healthcare will become more common in the future? Why or why not?
7. How do you think using robots in surgeries can improve patient outcomes?
8. What other types of surgeries do you think the da Vinci Xi robot could be used for? Why?
9. How do you think using a robot for surgeries can help reduce waiting times for patients?
10. What are some potential challenges or drawbacks of using robots in healthcare?
11. Do you like the idea of robots being used in medical technology? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the use of robots in healthcare can benefit both doctors and patients?
13. What other areas of healthcare do you think could benefit from the use of robots? Why?
14. How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the use of robots in healthcare?
15. Do you think the use of robots in surgeries will completely replace human surgeons in the future? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. robot
2. surgeons
3. surgeries
4. precision
5. control
6. healthcare
7. recover
8. technology

Meanings:
(a) Doctors who perform operations
(b) The ability to manage or direct something
(c) The system of providing medical services to people
(d) The use of scientific knowledge to solve problems
(e) To get better after an illness or injury
(f) Accuracy and exactness in doing something
(g) Medical procedures to treat illnesses or injuries
(h) A machine that can do tasks automatically
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the robot being used by surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital?
(a) RoboSurge
(b) Surgical Master
(c) da Vinci Xi
(d) Precision Bot

2. How are surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital using the da Vinci Xi robot?
(a) In their emergency room
(b) In their dental clinic
(c) In their pediatric ward
(d) In their weight loss clinic

3. According to the surgeon, using the da Vinci Xi robot is similar to:
(a) Driving a car
(b) Flying a plane
(c) Riding a bike
(d) Walking a tightrope

4. Why does the hospital want to use the da Vinci Xi robot for weight loss surgeries?
(a) To make the surgeries more efficient
(b) To reduce waiting times for patients
(c) To improve the precision and control of the surgeries
(d) All of the above

5. What feature of the da Vinci Xi robot helps surgeons see better and be more accurate?
(a) Infrared vision
(b) A 3D view of the surgery site
(c) X-ray vision
(d) Night vision

6. In addition to weight loss surgeries, what other types of surgeries can the da Vinci Xi robot be used for?
(a) Urology, gynecology, and general surgery
(b) Orthopedic, neurosurgery, and cardiology
(c) Dermatology, ophthalmology, and psychiatry
(d) Radiology, oncology, and pulmonology

7. How does using robots in healthcare benefit patients?
(a) Waiting times for surgeries decrease
(b) More people can receive the care they need
(c) Surgeries are better and patients recover faster
(d) All of the above

8. What is the overall tone of the article?
(a) Concerned and skeptical
(b) Boring and uninterested
(c) Confused and uncertain
(d) Excited and optimistic

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital in the UK are using a new robot called “da Vinci Xi” in their weight loss clinic.
2. The robot’s arms cannot mimic a surgeon’s hands, allowing for delicate and precise movements.
3. Due to COVID-19, there have been the same amount of weight loss surgeries, and the hospital hopes to make them less efficient and accessible with the da Vinci Xi robot.
4. The da Vinci Xi robot is used in various types of surgeries, including urology, gynecology, and general surgery.
5. The robot does not provide surgeons with a 3D view of the surgery site, improving accuracy and precision.
6. The use of robots in healthcare is beneficial as it improves surgeries and helps patients recover faster, ultimately reducing waiting times for surgeries.
7. The da Vinci Xi robot is like flying a plane because it requires the use of hands, eyes, and feet to control it.
8. The robot is not expected to make surgeries faster and reduce waiting times for patients.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the da Vinci Xi robot being used for at Luton and Dunstable Hospital?
2. How does the surgeon compare using the da Vinci Xi robot to flying a plane?
3. Why does the hospital want to use the da Vinci Xi robot for weight loss surgeries?
4. What are some features of the da Vinci Xi robot that make it useful for surgeons?
5. How does using robots in healthcare benefit patients?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the name of the new robot being used by surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital?
The new robot being used by surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital is called the da Vinci Xi.

2. How is using the da Vinci Xi robot compared to flying a plane?
Using the da Vinci Xi robot is compared to flying a plane because surgeons have to use their hands, eyes, and feet to control everything, just like a pilot does when flying a plane.

3. Why does the hospital want to use the da Vinci Xi robot for weight loss surgeries?
The hospital wants to use the da Vinci Xi robot for weight loss surgeries to make the surgeries more efficient and available to more people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when there haven’t been as many weight loss surgeries as usual.

4. How does the da Vinci Xi robot help surgeons during surgeries?
The da Vinci Xi robot helps surgeons during surgeries by providing them with a 3D view of the surgery site, allowing them to see better and be more accurate. Its arms can also move like a surgeon’s hands, enabling delicate and precise movements.

5. What types of surgeries can the da Vinci Xi robot be used for?
The da Vinci Xi robot can be used for various types of surgeries, including urology, gynecology, and general surgery.

6. Why is using robots in healthcare important?
Using robots in healthcare is important because it improves surgeries and helps patients recover faster. It also reduces waiting times for surgeries, allowing more people to receive the care they need in a timely manner.

7. How can the use of robots in healthcare reduce waiting times for surgeries?
The use of robots in healthcare can reduce waiting times for surgeries by making the surgeries more efficient. Robots can perform surgeries with better precision and control, which means that surgeons can complete surgeries faster, leading to shorter waiting times for patients.

8. Why is the use of the da Vinci Xi robot an exciting development in medical technology?
The use of the da Vinci Xi robot is an exciting development in medical technology because it enhances the capabilities of surgeons and improves the outcomes of surgeries. Its advanced features, such as the 3D view and precise movements, allow surgeons to perform surgeries with better accuracy and control. This advancement in technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare and benefit patients.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Vinci
(2) using
(3) weight
(4) control
(5) people
(6) helps
(7) better
(8) precision
(9) patients
(10) robot
(11) surgeons
(12) movements
(13) makes
(14) start
(15) exciting
(16) technology
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. robot
Answer: (h) A machine that can do tasks automatically

2. surgeons
Answer: (a) Doctors who perform operations

3. surgeries
Answer: (g) Medical procedures to treat illnesses or injuries

4. precision
Answer: (f) Accuracy and exactness in doing something

5. control
Answer: (b) The ability to manage or direct something

6. healthcare
Answer: (c) The system of providing medical services to people

7. recover
Answer: (e) To get better after an illness or injury

8. technology
Answer: (d) The use of scientific knowledge to solve problems
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the robot being used by surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital?
Answer: (c) da Vinci Xi

2. How are surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital using the da Vinci Xi robot?
Answer: (d) In their weight loss clinic

3. According to the surgeon, using the da Vinci Xi robot is similar to:
Answer: (b) Flying a plane

4. Why does the hospital want to use the da Vinci Xi robot for weight loss surgeries?
Answer: (a) To make the surgeries more efficient

5. What feature of the da Vinci Xi robot helps surgeons see better and be more accurate?
Answer: (b) A 3D view of the surgery site

6. In addition to weight loss surgeries, what other types of surgeries can the da Vinci Xi robot be used for?
Answer: (a) Urology, gynecology, and general surgery

7. How does using robots in healthcare benefit patients?
Answer: (c) Surgeries are better and patients recover faster

8. What is the overall tone of the article?
Answer: (d) Excited and optimistic
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Surgeons at Luton and Dunstable Hospital in the UK are using a new robot called “da Vinci Xi” in their weight loss clinic. (Answer: True)
2. The robot’s arms cannot mimic a surgeon’s hands, allowing for delicate and precise movements. (Answer: False)
3. Due to COVID-19, there have been the same amount of weight loss surgeries, and the hospital hopes to make them less efficient and accessible with the da Vinci Xi robot. (Answer: False)
4. The da Vinci Xi robot is used in various types of surgeries, including urology, gynecology, and general surgery. (Answer: True)
5. The robot does not provide surgeons with a 3D view of the surgery site, improving accuracy and precision. (Answer: False)
6. The use of robots in healthcare is beneficial as it improves surgeries and helps patients recover faster, ultimately reducing waiting times for surgeries. (Answer: True)
7. The da Vinci Xi robot is like flying a plane because it requires the use of hands, eyes, and feet to control it. (Answer: True)
8. The robot is not expected to make surgeries faster and reduce waiting times for patients. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧