UNIT 1: Robotics in classroom

Today, technology is a valuable resource for schools to be a more attractive place for students. Robotics emerges as a way to involve students in new learning environments, making them have a greater proximity to science and technology.

1.1.1 What is it?

Robotics consists of a series of procedures for a robot to be able to execute a set of instructions. The teaching of this practice brings students closer to everyday technological trends. Today, a robot can perform various activities, such as cleaning a house, carrying objects, making sounds and communicating with light signals. Making a machine interact with a human being is a challenge that encourages students to have greater involvement with the school environment.

1.1.2 Why use it?

Robotics stimulates logical reasoning, since to solve the proposed task, students are required to execute a logical sequence. In fact, this type of tasks is fundamental for the formation of critical thinking that involves not only the creation of the robot, but also the activities it must perform and the mechanisms it must use to control the equipment. In addition to logical reasoning, it strengthens team spirit. Robot programming is a challenge that also stimulates creativity, because students have to think for practical and efficient solutions to solve a problem as quickly as possible, trying to be creative in all stages of a project (for example analysis of the context, planning, execution and monitoring). Logical thinking, team spirit and creativity are essential factors in solving difficult problems. The teaching of robotics is certainly a great ally for schools to become more attractive and closer to the reality of students.

1.1.3 Practical Activity

Purpose: Construction of algorithms and programming of self-programmable robots

Task Overview:

With this task we intend to use robotics as a motivation tool for students to solve simple challenges based on areas of knowledge such as Mathematics, Study of the Environment or Mother tongue. In this sense, and according to the intended area of knowledge, the teacher will define a carpet on which the robot will move. For this, students will combine and articulate simple algorithms, recognizing that an algorithm is a set of concrete instructions, with a certain sequence, that allow achieving a goal.

Target students:  from 6 to 10 years old

Time: 60’

Materials and Resources:

Auto programmable robots (Mind, Bee-bot, superdoc, …) and carpets according to the area to be implemented.

Exploring the task in the classroom:

First phase: to Create the carpet model suitable for the programmable robot. Usually these robots have movements of 15 cm, so it is up to the teacher to decide the type of carpet he wants to create, that is, the number of columns and rows he wants to use.

For example:

Figure 1- Carpet size and structure

Subsequently, the teacher must create his carpet according to the theme to be explored, placing images or text in each of the squares.

Figure 2 – Study of the Environment (sustainability) example

Figure 3 – Mathematics example

Second phase: in the classroom. Introduce the robot to the students, explaining the instructions that these robots execute and interpret (forward, backward, turn right and turn left or a quarter turn, or turn 90º). Students can be divided into groups of 2-3 students maximum. Afterwards, the teacher invites the students to solve the proposed activities.

For example, if the activity is about mathematic, some tasks we can propose for the students:

• program the robot so that it goes through the first two even numbers;
• program the robot so that it goes through all multiples of 5 in ascending order.

The teacher should encourage the student to write the algorithm used to solve the problem so that it associates the importance of the order of instructions in programming. With older students you can even introduce the concept of repetition. Pair Strategy One student proposes the challenge and the other tries to solve it.

Assessment:

The teacher proposes an activity to each group of students with the aim of developing the respective algorithm. As the students develop the task, the teacher, using an evaluation grid, evaluates: the type of work developed, the interaction of the group and the algorithm built.

2.1.4 Glossary

Algorithm – set of clear, precise instructions placed in the correct order, which allow achieving a goal.

Autoprogrammable Robot – it is an electromechanical device capable of performing work autonomously or pre-programmed.