R2-D2

Reflection #1

I enjoyed learning to drive SuRRy, but did not like the inherent constraints of the 5 box programming system. After a couple of small programs, adding in the "Loop" did make the programs much more enjoyable. Learning to use the robot, sometimes I was unsure if a program was not working because of operator error or robot error.

The sensors made the robot much more "real life." I preferred using the ultrasonic and sound sensors. Unfortunately, my partner and I ran out of time to complete the sensor challenges with the light sensor.

Right now, our school plan is to introduce robotics as an enrichment class. I can definitely see using 5 step NXT programming near the beginning of the course. The constraints of the 5 step programming will give the students a comfortable amount of "openendedness" to figure out the basics of programming. I am still not quite sure how I will be able to integrate this into my 7th grade science class.

Reflection #2

We completed several "Try It" activities with SuRRy to test the sound, light, and ultrasonic sensors. With each activity, we determined the independent and dependent variables and any possible relationship that exists.

I could use SuRRy and the activities we tried in class, exactly as they were presented in my classroom. I have not thought about other ways to incorporate this into my curriculum yet, but my mind's wheels are turning.

After completing the activity, we used the TPACK model to "unpack" the lesson into its different components. We filled in a black Venn diagram with specifics about the activity that we completed. After sharing the Venn diagrams with the class, I was able to even add more information to my diagram.

Reflection #3

For our experiment, we discovered the relationship between wheel size on the NXT robot and speed. We found that the as wheel diameter increases, the speed of the robot also increases. Feel free to view our lab report [|here].

Looking at this experiment with a "TPACK lens," we were able to sucessfully meet the project objectives, using different technologies. We were able to program and run a simple Mindstorms program, test different diameter wheels by designing our own experiment, and use GoogleDocs to collaboratively create a lab report. I think that when students are just beginning to use any of the tools present in this activity, more time might need to be allotted than if traditional pencil/paper graphs or lab reports were used, but there would be benefit in the end with an increased student learning.

The collaboration and discovery were great fits for the technology because my partner and I shared informaiton and helped each other troubleshoot each problem area.

Reflection #4

For the robotic arm activity, we practiced using a ready-made NXT program to operate a robotic arm. We used the robotic arm to do 4 mini "surgeries" simulating real surgeries that are assisted by robotic arms in real life.

Before we practiced operating the robotic arms, we gathered research and added it to a group Prezi, which can be seen here.

The robotic arm, operated by the NXT robot, is a best fit for teaching about robotic arms because it brings the content to life in a way that a video or text can't. The technology fits the pedagogy because students can discuss what they are learning as they are learning it with each other.

Reflection #5

We used the "View It" values on the NXT robot to gather data from each of the four different sensor types.
 * 1) The touch sensor was the most basic, with simple binary feedback: "0" for nothing touching and "1" for something touching the sensor.
 * 2) The sound sensor reports values in percents, with small values (5% - 8%) registering for whisper voices, medium values (10% - 13%) registering for medium voices, and high values (36% - 40%) registering for loud voices.
 * 3) The reflected light sensor also reports values in percents. We were not able to determine a pattern for the values recorded for different colors, but it seems that the darker colors have generally higher percentages. When using the grey palette, the lighter colors have the highest values and the darkest colors have the lowest values. These values were incrementally as the color got incrementally darker.
 * 4) The ultrasonic sensor reports data back in distance; we chose to have the data reported in centimeters. The ultrasonic sensor can reliably measure distances from about 6 cm to 60 cm.

We were also able to test the motor rotation sensor of the NXT robot and ours turned out to be recording the same value that we calculated on our own.

In my classroom, I would be able to use the View It functions to gather basic data when teaching about creating graphs. We also could use the robot to calculate speed during our force and motion unit.