computer programming
Learning something new. Taking their time and being engaged in 'learning', instead of just knowing an answer was the premise of my exploration for this project. Computer programming became the first step in a three step process of 'learning' for the Grade 6 students. I wanted to introduce something completely new to them so they couldn't use what they already knew to figure out how to program. I researched computer programming for kids and came up with two great websites that would help me implement my ideas. code.org and tynker.com became my platform for teaching students how to program. Well, actually, they taught themselves. In the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to implement robotics and drones. I needed to find something that was compatible and comparable to do all three, and these two websites (and apps) were it.
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The Tynker website was a great find to support this project. This website allows a teacher to set up a class where each student can receive six free hours of tutorials in computer programming. Students were tasked with various challenges where they learned the mechanics of the program and were engaged in reasoning and logical thinking to maneuver and complete different levels. As each level was complete, a new level became available.
The Tynker website also has an accompanying iPad app, which was later used to program the drones. This app used the same programming codes and symbols as the website, so students were very efficient when it came to programming the drones. Through researching this site, it was found that Parrot Education has partnered with Tynker and has created specific drones that are compatible with this software. The drones used in this project were the particular ones that could be connected via bluetooth to this app.
The Tynker website also has an accompanying iPad app, which was later used to program the drones. This app used the same programming codes and symbols as the website, so students were very efficient when it came to programming the drones. Through researching this site, it was found that Parrot Education has partnered with Tynker and has created specific drones that are compatible with this software. The drones used in this project were the particular ones that could be connected via bluetooth to this app.
robotics
Once students had completed their six hours of programming, they were introduced to robotics. Through previous STEM projects, four Lego Robotic kits were available to use, along with two new kits from Thomas and Kanes that were purchased from this year's project. Students were presented with two challenges throughout this portion of the project. The first challenge saw them learning about how to build a robot where they explored how the pieces fit together as they were challenged to build a moving robot. The second part of this challenge was for them to use their knowledge of programming to learn how to use the Lego Robotics platform and program their robots to move in certain ways. I was interested to see how and if their knowledge from Tynker was transferred to this new programming software.
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Overall, students found a lot of success with this portion of the project. There were many frustrating days where students couldn't figure out why their robot was moving diagonally versus straight, or how they could improve on their design to meet the specifications of the challenge. However, they did not give up. In the end, they all were successful in creating a robot that could move and meet the criteria set out in the challenge. (Creating a robot that would provide land security for the Grade 5 society).
Students, however, did not have any difficulties with learning the new programming software. Once they built their robot, they were very quick to learn the new Lego Robotics programming software. When asked what made it easy for them, they said they were using a lot of the skills they learned from Tynker and stated that the only difference between the two was that it (Lego) looked a little different.
Students, however, did not have any difficulties with learning the new programming software. Once they built their robot, they were very quick to learn the new Lego Robotics programming software. When asked what made it easy for them, they said they were using a lot of the skills they learned from Tynker and stated that the only difference between the two was that it (Lego) looked a little different.
Drones
Flying drones around the school became THE motivation for this project. In the beginning, students were told they would be learning programming with the intent of being able to create programs to fly drones.
It was here that all of their skills and 'new learnings' came full circle. It was here that students began to excel in the area of problem solving, communication and collaboration. This group is problem solving to find a way to get the drone to complete various tasks and land safely.
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Shawn, after he programmed the drone to land safely on a small platform. This became one of his favourite moments.
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To begin, students were simply given the drones and told to fly them. It was a little challenging to get the drones connected to the app at first, but once the glitches were ironed out, it was seamless. We came to find out the older iPads did not have the appropriate Bluetooth technology to connect the devices. We had to designate 4 newer iPads to the drones for the duration of the project.
Students very quickly learned how to program the drones and began exploring their capabilities. They started creating their own challenges and began challenging themselves and each other to complete more and more complex tasks. The Resource Centre and the Gym became their playground and the things they did with the drones became endless - from flying to doing flips in the air, to landing in tight places. They became very well versed in the software and the language of programming. There was absolutely nothing they couldn't do. And, they took the time to LEARN it. |