Celebrating CS Week: Seeing Coding Come to Life with Robots

   

Thanks to Wonder Workshop, the we had an amazing Computer Science week that included robots!!!  The kids were so excited to meet and interact with Dash and Dot!

 

 

"We get to use a robot?  Awesome!"

With some classes, I just introduced Dash and ran a code where Dash turns, drives forward, and repeats until he hits an obstacle. We sat in a big circle and waited to see who Dash would run into.  The kids loved it!  I ran it enough times, so the kids could pick out the pattern that made up the code.

 

"Dash is soooo cute!  I love Dash!"

The energy and excitement in my room was AMAZING!  

At the end of the week, I made a tape maze on the floor and had kids code Dash through the maze.  We worked together as a class.  During my fifth grade class, every student was completely engaged as we problem solved the code.  On that day, we were working with only one Dash and one iPad.  

 

"Oh, so you use the code like we are making on the computer to control Dash!"

I worried that some kids would get bored not having their hands on the tech for most of class.  NOT SO!  They loved giving suggestions to the student holding the iPad and were just as excited when they had a turn.

During 3rd quarter, all my students K-5 will be working with the robots.  I can't wait!

Comments

[Colin]

Susan,

what a positive experience. I'm thinking of introducing Dash to some fifth graders, how did you structure the class, did you talk about algorithims etc before proceeding with the coding? Also did you rotate the control/coding on the iPad? If so how often?

[Susan]

Hi, Colin,

Your fifth graders will love Dash! My students had a good amount of previous coding knowledge before this lesson. I have used both the Code.org and Scratch curriculums with them. With that said, I think the Blockly programing for Dash is very user friendly and easy to pick up.

We did rotate the iPad, but I didn't time it or have a schedule. I used the Reflector app (or you could use an Apple TV) to project the Blockly app so everyone in the room could follow along. This really helped everyone to collaborate even if they didn't have the iPad. We also took turns moving Dash to the start of the maze and pressing his button to start the code, which seemed to be two very important jobs to the kids.

I would love to hear more about your experience!
Susan