As we only had half the group here today (Gr6 were away at Outdoor School) we tried using a couple of EV3 kits to control directly for some Sumo challenges. Unfortunately we had bluetooth connection issues, so could only get one robot controlled at a time. Eventually realized how to connect both kits, but then we were out of time!
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We now have a backpack (hive) with 8 rechargeable BeeBot floor robots which moves between the JK, K & Gr1 classes. At present they're visiting the Kindergarten classes. Here are a couple of short videos showing the BeeBots in action.
The BeeBot floor robot has simple forward, backward, left & right controls, and is programmable with up to 40 commands in sequence.
I was thrilled that 30 students decided to come to the Gr2 Tech Club, rather than spend lunch recess outside on a very sunny day! It is a drop-in format, so numbers can vary, but it is usually well attended. We did some physical robotics using the students themselves, then they paired up and played Turtle Pond on the computer. This is an excellent intro to LOGO and turtle graphics. They also used the Bee-Bot floor robot with a partner. Next week: Road & Pro-Bots. The Tech Clubs are all voluntary and drop in, so numbers can vary. Last week there were 14 students at the Grade 4 lunchtime Tech Club, doing some great programming using Repeat, but this week only 6. This was our deadline to make online animoto videos using video and photos taken by the students this term using the floor robots. The aim is to then share them with the whole school at the Science Expo Assembly. A couple of the students worked with a partner so we ended up with four robotics videos. Here they are:
These 6 legged robots from the UK were very popular over Christmas. We now have two of them to augment our robot collection, although these are not programmable. What is very interesting is how they move. There are six legs that move three at a time. I was asked the question, "What educational value do these toys have?" Of course there is the fun or play factor. Personally I believe there should be more fun in school! But it certainly raises for me the question of control technology. In using these robots effectively we control the technology rather than the technology controlling us. How many people have trouble programming their cell phones, remotes or DVD players effectively?
This was produced as part of the Gr4 Tech Club, focusing on the robotics work we've done this term, as well as using the Animoto video skills the club learnt last term. The Grade2 Tech Club worked on the Road program (road design), Isle of Tune (town planning with music!) and the Pro-bots. Paige and Sarah made a simple LOGO program that we drew onto paper using the Pro-bot. Here is their program:
Repeat 20 Forward 30 Left 140 End On Monday 40 Grade 2 students came to the Robotics Tech Club, and a great time was had by all. Unfortunately the rechargeable batteries don't hold a charge (duff lot?) but the students loved using the Road program to design a road/rail/town transport system. We also did some Robot commands using the students themselves to gain a sense of direction and distance, especially Left and Right. Tuesday saw 16 Grade 4 students exploring Animoto videos. A few videos were completed, but more time next week will enable some quality product and process to emerge. Wednesday, and 5 Grade 3 students used 2Paint a Picture to create pixelled self images. On Thursday 9 Grade 5 students started 2Create a Super story animations - this generated a lot of interest. |
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