Название: Rev Up Robotics: Real-World Computational Thinking in the K–8 Classroom
Автор: Jorge Valenzuela
Издательство: International Society for Technology in Education
Год: 2020
Страниц: 184
Язык: английский
Формат: epub
Размер: 16.9 MB

Author Jorge Valenzuela lays out the foundational skills of computational thinking required for programming with robotics.

Unlike other robotics books and curriculum, Rev Up Robotics takes a cross-curricular approach, showing educators how to begin incorporating robotics into their content area lessons and in conjunction with other subjects.

You’ll get an overview of standards-based skills that can be covered in English language arts, math, science, social studies and robotics electives. Teachers also get tips for selecting the robot that works for them and for students, and details on the functions of gears, motors and sensors. Also included is a deep dive into more advanced topics like the intersections of computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering with robotics. Finally, you’ll find advice for getting students involved with competitive robotics, and case studies that offer empirical evidence for using robotics successfully in instruction.

Robots are controlled by programming and educational robotics have preloaded code (programs) that students can use when learning to program. With the preloaded missions, my advice is to help students learn to identify how the lines or blocks of code manipulate the movements of the robot. Depending on the type of programming, your students will program robots that are autonomous, semi-autonomous, and remote-controlled. So essentially, these are three types of robots that perform different tasks when programmed.

The book:

Shows how to help students recognize and apply the four elements of computational thinking to familiar situations.
Provides a pathway from working with visual blocks to programming in C++.
Discusses building and programming robots, with tips for adding your own code and troubleshooting.
Demonstrates how to manipulate basic movement to better understand the functions of gears, motors and sensors.

With activities and examples for grade levels K-8, teachers come away with easy-to-implement cross-curricular ideas to engage students in computer science and engineering activities.