Mid-South Instructional Technology Conference
Teaching, Learning, & Technology
Transforming the Learning Environment
April 4-6, 2004
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Dr. Sylvia Clark Pulliam Track 1 - Effective Technology-Based Learning Resources |
Abstract
U.S. Board of Education robots, called BOE-bots, are ideal for helping students learn to program. The robots come with a version of Basic similar to Qbasic. Robots provide excitement in the course, without requiring sophisticated programming experience. We will look at ways to program the robots to perform certain tasks and to respond to stimuli such as light or infrared signals. We will also discuss how to obtain the robots. Fifteen robots will be made available for participants to use.
Description
We are using robots marketed by the U.S. Board of Education to help students learn to program in their first programming course. There is no programming or technical prerequisite for the course, so this is the first exposure to programming for many students. The robots, called BOE-bots, come with a version of Basic that is very much like the QBasic already used in class.
The robots provide an opportunity to incorporate most problem-solving
techniques required for an introductory programming course. Students can use
subprograms to control the BOE-bot's wheels and to respond to infrared
signals and relative light or darkness. Loops are used to cycle the robot
through a prescribed path. Decision-making is necessary to control robot
activity and to respond to external stimuli. Arrays can be used to direct a
series of actions (travel in a circle, change direction, go straight, etc.).
Program logic must also handle interruptions, as when an obstacle is
encountered. Input must be processed and the results output, although the
means are different from traditional programming environments.
We will program the robots to perform certain tasks, such as traveling forward, going in a circle, executing a more complicated pattern such as a figure-8, and responding to outside stimuli such as light or infrared signals. We will also consider how to adjust our settings.
Fifteen robots will be made available during the session, allowing 30 participants to use the robots in partnership (my preferred method). More students can be accommodated, but not with easy access to a robot.