1. Using Robotics in the Classroom
Using the Lego Mindstorms NXT and
new EV3 robotics kits.
Jeanne Kumpunen
2. Different manipulative materials
engage children in different types of
thinking
• STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math
• Use the motivational effects of robotics to
excite students about science and technology.
http://web.media.mit.edu/~mres/papers/chi-98/digital-manip.html
http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu
3. Kids work as teams to put
together the robots as
well as to program them.
Kids work in an engaging and
cooperative manner
My students in the beginning stages of
building robots.
4. Robotics Teach Critical Thinking Skills
• As teachers we want to excite students about
math and science
http://guides.machinescience.org/mod/book/print.php?id=722&chapterid=3
23
5. Using the NXT Programs Teaches
Computer Programming Skills
My students got very quick at
programming short programs
quickly onto the computer.
Students programming on the fly
at the First Competition.
6. Robots ignited the students
enthusiasm.
• Students ask to work on robots and
programming every day!
7. Why Robotics?
• STEM ideas in an engaging process
• People of all ages are fascinated with robots as they move around
seemingly making decisions on their own.
• The skill sets students learn as they work with robotics can easily be
transferred to careers and professions.
• Robotics provides excellent teaching examples of the concept of
systems and subsystems.
http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/content/educators/start/index.h
tm
Notas do Editor
This presentation is designed for use with the Lego Mindstorms NXT robotics. Each person in the room should have access to a Lego Mindstorms basic NXT kit or the new EV3. The Lego NXT program should be installed on each person’s computer.
Mitchel Resnikand many others did an extensive study on how students learn using hands-on manipulatives. They used toys that kids were familiar with and the passion that they exhibited while using these toys to help them learn more difficult concepts like engineering.
Part of the gifted skills that we are trying to teach our students is interpersonal skills. While using the robots the students have to learn to work as a team. They build their robot together and also learn to program the robot together. They are also learning important intrapersonal skills where they have to learn how their own thinking affects how they program their robots to move and respond.
Traditionally we have taught students skills such as the distance a wheel of a certain circumference travels using abstract equations. It is more exciting to teach them to learn these same skills using hands-on materials.
Students got very proficient at writing quick programs to make their robots do different moves. Here they are at the First Lego League Robot Competition.
My students will ask to work on robots and programming almost every day. As they have progressed in their understanding of the NXT program they have learned that there are a lot more types of programming that the robots are capable of.
Robotics allows a teacher to talk about design, innovation, problem solving, and teamwork at the same time they are talking about math, science, and technology; robotics puts academic concepts in context.Some of the ideas for this presentation come from the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
