Learning with Lego-Robots
Hungary , Unknown to Ongoing
Compendium: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Background
Learning with Lego-Robots is a continuous project.
The Lego-Robots project is about the history and basics of robotics, building practice, drives, stability and cognition of GUI interface. After some time the children will be able to programme the robot and make different kinds of robots in line with theoretical tasks. The project can follow children and youngsters to the end of secondary school and thereby gradually improve their knowledge and skills of programming — even for scientific observations. At the very beginning the teachers have “traditional” teaching roles, but later on they become collaborators and organisers in the teams.
The motivation of the initiative
To experiment with learning approaches to technology by giving children the opportunity to create something physically themselves and making them understand how the computer can be used in this process.
Participants
Schools, organisations, groups, after-school clubs which deal with children, youngsters.
Aims and targets
Objectives of the initiative
To enhance technology learning amongst students by actually using it.
Target group
Direct target group: students, teachers, and older students as mentors. Indirect target group: parents, companies, potential sponsors, etc.
Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and/or pedagogical)
New learning paradigms including project methods, challenges, active participation of students, self-supporting research, peer-to-peer activities, collaborative learning, learning through hands-on and exploratory play.
Strategy and actions
Level of implementation
Local: the activities and work in the school.
Regional, national, international: the championships.
Implementation
Action to ensure implementation takes place at all levels by facilitating networks and championships. Children learn about the Logo programming language, different kinds of data gathering are used, measuring devices. During and at the end of the project the students can share their ideas with other teams and learn from each other. The following measures ensure sustainable development: parents’ feedback, competitions, personal meetings, staying in touch via the Internet.
Monitoring and evaluation
Funding/Cost effectiveness
Budget
Not available but each class needs: bigger tables (suitable for 3 to 4 children) for the building, constructing activity, one computer for each group of children, and Lego Mindstorms (RCX or NXT) kits.
Sustainability/Transferability
Outcomes/impacts
Achievements
Specific results
Some specific results are: children of all social backgrounds can participate, using the diverse experiences of the children and increasing peer-to-peer learning. Most of the children are interested in trying out robot building and programming. Afterwards they can choose whether they want to gain deeper knowledge in this area and participate in longer projects or not.
Success factors
Lessons learnt
Robotics is an effective way for teachers to cover important areas of their science, technology, engineering, maths curricula and it has been possible to integrate several scientific disciplines ranging from technical knowledge of speed and gears through ICT skills of programming and algorithm structures to creative problem solving. Moreover, some new learning paradigms have come to the forefront: self-supporting research, searching for experts, professionals, brainstorming. When children actively construct things in the physical world it helps them to build knowledge in their minds.
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