Robotics in the Classroom
With LEGO Mindstorms®, LEGO WeDo® 2.0, Blue-Bot and more!
Great for
STE(A)M learning!
Robotics provides a highly engaging medium for creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication – four essential skills for learning and ICT within a curriculum context. This workshop promotes independent learning through an inquiry-based approach where participants are encouraged to collaborate and be creative in solving open ended challenges.
In this workshop, participants will:
- learn the basic features of the robot and programming software;
- build (or use) a basic robot and participate in guided and open ended robotics challenges;
- document solutions to challenges and upload to an online community;
- view and respond to digital resources identifying the benefits of robotics in education and record response on a collaborative Google Doc;
- identify links from activities covered in workshop to outcomes in the NSW Syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum and discuss ways robotics resources can be managed and integrated into the classroom.
Completing this course will contribute 5 hours of QTC Registered PD addressing 2.1.2, 2.6.2, 3.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
This course has four iterations, each focusing on a different type of robotics kit:
Option 1) LEGO WeDo 2.0
Option 2) LEGO Education Mindstorms EV3
Option 3) Blue-Bot
Option 4) Taste-tester with a variety of options
Each date will focus on one of these four options. Choose your date carefully when enrolling.
Option 1) LEGO WeDo® 2.0
Suitable for K-3
The new LEGO WeDo® 2.0 is a robotics system designed to serve as an intermediate step between the more fully featured robotics platform and regular, non-robotic LEGO. It’s an easy-to-use set that introduces young students to robotics and teaches them to build LEGO models featuring working motors and sensors; program their models; and explore a series of cross-curricular, theme-based activities while developing their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as language and literacy. This hands-on workshop demonstrates how robots can be applied to problem solving and collaborative learning within a curriculum context, linking the NSW Quality Teaching model to classroom practice and fostering a differentiated approach to learning whilst enhancing the integration of robotics into the classroom.
Option 2) LEGO Education Mindstorms® EV3
Suitable for Years 3-12
Released in 2013 this third generation Mindstorms robotics kit enables students to build, program and test their solutions based on real-life robotics technology. The EV3 Intelligent Brick is a powerful small computer that makes it possible to control motors and collect sensor feedback. It includes Bluetooth and WiFi communication ability, and provides on-brick programming and data logging. Note: We also have the LEGO® NXT available to use for this workshop. If you would prefer to use the NXT model because your school already has these, please just let us know in the ‘Special Requirements’ section when enroling on MyPL.
Option 3) Blue-Bot ™ NEW!
Suitable for Pre-school & K-2
Blue-Bots are programmable bluetooth floor robots designed for use with Preschool and Lower Primary students to teach programming and directional language. The Blue-Bot can be controlled using a tablet whereby students can create their very own program on screen, send it remotely and see their Blue-Bot perform the program right before their eyes! With a clear shell,students can see inside Blue-Bot and understand which components perform which duties. This hands-on workshop demonstrates how robots can be applied to problem solving and collaborative learning within a curriculum context, linking the Early Years Learning Framework, National Curriculum and the NSW Quality Teaching model with classroom practice. As a participant, you will explore the features of the Blue-Bots and the learning benefits of robotics more broadly, as well as experience a variety of practical and differentiated applications to implement in your own classroom. Activities can be adapted to suit previous models of floor robots, such Bee-Bots and Pro-Bots.
Option 4) Taste-tester NEW!
Exploring a variety of kits and software for K-12
There is now significant choice when it comes to choosing a robotics platform for your students. Whether you’re in a Secondary, Primary or even a Pre-school setting, you will gain hands-on experience testing and evaluating the advantages and challenges of up to a dozen different solutions, including BlueBot, LEGO WeDo 2.0, Sphero, KIBO, Cubelets, Edison, LEGO EV3, VEX IQ, mBot, GoPiGo, OzoBot and Hummingbird. This workshop will also cover several options to teach coding of virtual robotics available online or as downloadable software. Come play and enjoy a day of finding an affordable solution to address cross-curricula outcomes and help foster life skills in your students like perseverance and problem solving.
Audience: All teachers and educators.
Keywords: Creative & Critical Thinking, STEM, STEAM, Coding, Engineering Design, Science & Maths K-10, Programming
Feedback
The method of delivery modelled discovery, problem solving techniques and associated skill development in these areas which was very useful for thinking about classroom delivery.
Robotics Excursions
We run Robotics Boot Camps during school terms. Bring your students to MacICT and see the possibilities in action!
Facilitators
John Burfoot
Developer & Facilitator
John is our lead LEGO® robotics facilitator and has worked as part-time school teacher with the Catholic Education Office in Sydney, specialising in science and robotics. He holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree, a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, and is a qualified electronics technician. John has facilitated hundreds of LEGO® robotics workshops to teachers and students across Sydney, including State, Catholic and Independent schools. He has consulted for LEGO® Australia, Moore Educational Pty Ltd, and the Southern Region CEO, Sydney. John has presented and spoken at numerous educational conferences, including the Association of Independent Schools of NSW, ICT Educators of NSW, St George & Sutherland Community College and the NSW Priority Schools Program’s Equity Conference at Darling Harbour.
Kylie Stanley
Facilitator
Kylie began working for MacICT 2013, in a hands-on teaching role running day-long Boot Camps in Robotics. Kylie has a passion for technology and innovation, and enjoys working with students to explore and problem-solve using new and engaging technologies. Kylie holds a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Education) and a Bachelor of Education (Primary). She is also Early Childhood trained and holds a Diploma in Children’s Services. In addition to MacICT, Kylie has 10 years experience working in areas of curriculum and teaching and learning in the higher education sector.
Enrol
Unfortunately there are no plans to run this course again. Apologies for any inconvenience.
FAQ
How do I enrol?
How is payment taken?
How do I get there and do I need to bring anything?
What if I cancel or don't show up?
You can delete your own enrolment through MyPL, however keep in mind any cancellations made within 2 days of the event or no-shows will incur the full cost, charged to your school. Please contact us if there are any issues with your attendance.
What's a follow-on component?
Some of our courses include a follow-on component to be completed by the participant in their school context with the aim of transferring the new practice to their teaching and learning repertoire. These deliverables are included as part of the course hours and are designed to engage teachers in real ‘learning through doing’ leading to improvement in the skills and capabilities of teachers. This is an opportunity for you to have some time to take what you learned during the workshop and apply it to your own context and your own students. Details of the follow-on will be emailed out to all participants. The deliverables must meet the following Criteria:
- Product (this may refer to lesson plan, unit of work or other digital product)
- evidence of creativity;
- planning and/or design;
- incorporation of key ideas in the course;
- integration of technology; and
- a published/shared product that is appropriate to audience, purpose and context.
- Online Interaction
- peer feedback; and
- community building.
- Personal Written Reflection (200 words):
- Reflect on the learning experience gained by participating in this course, including the deliverables, OR reflect on your classroom practice (including a description of the pedagogical approach, delivery and implications for the future); AND
- Reflect on how you achieved one or more of the specified professional learning standards.
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