Blog Post #8 - Robotics/Programming

Can robotics/programming be included in the everyday classroom setting? The answer is YES! Technology is not limited to a computer lab or STEM classroom; it can be found anywhere and everywhere. In this post, I will be demonstrating one way that robotics/programming could be adapted to fit into an ordinary classroom, as well as explaining how this is beneficial to the students’ education.

When incorporating robotics/programming into a general classroom, educators must take cross-curricular activities into consideration. Cross-curricular activities are designed to make use of knowledge, principles, and/or values to more than one academic discipline at the same time. When this inclusive form of instruction includes computer science as one discipline, it most often connects with another subject in the math or science field; however, it should be known that programming and technology is not limited to the STEM content areas.

The example that I am sharing, regarding robotics being used in the generalized classroom, ties together basic algorithm and the scientific method. The lesson plan structure is like any other in the sense that it holds an introduction, warm-up activity, main activity, and wrap-up activity. I used the LightBot program for the students to practice their problem-solving abilities using simple algorithmic thinking. As they successfully completed the levels, the program increased in difficulty. I used discussion as a way for the students to demonstrate their understanding of how the programming activity connected with the scientific method of problem solving used in experimentation. For example, I could ask if the LightBot activity was an experiment in itself, and we could discuss why or why not. The full lesson plan under resources.

Computer science curriculum contains many 21st century skills that are applicable in school and outside of school. The knowledge acquired through cross-curricular, technology integrated lessons can be applied in all fields. This is something that does not have to be isolated to one specific discipline. The students will actually be expanding their range of application.

Resources:

1. Sample Lesson Plan

2. Lightbot Program

3. Screencast Tutorial