The+Iron+Giant

Reflection 1 Driving Activities with Surry: Programming Surry on the LCD screen was simple but limiting with the 5 box limit. Being able to program without a computer makes it usable in a classroom with laptops. This is a plus is some of the classrooms I work in. Adding Sensors gave Surry more options to follow. It was more challenging to get the sound sensor to cooperate with the noise level in the room. The light sensor seemed to work okay but there seem to be so many factors that affect it. I do not have a classroom. At this time, I will be teaching Robotics to classroom and AIG teachers. I hope to work collaboratively with some classrooms this year to help integrate this into science and math classes. Scientific ideas might include friction, force, light reflection angles.

Reflection 2

The Try it Activity with sound was fun and a great way to show variables to students. The louder one's voice, the faster the robot moved. Try It with Light showed that when Surry detected the darker colors, it emitted a lower pitch sound. When Surry was slowly moved toward the lighter colors, it emitted a higher pitched sound. Try It with the Ultrasonic sensor showed that when an object is placed near the sensor, Surry emitted a lower pitch. As the object moved away from the sensor, the pitch grew higher.

Scientific activities where Surry could be used might include teaching scientific method, variable, measurement.

TPACK was used to evaluate the lesson as a tool that allows the teacher to reflect on the components of the lesson from all aspects to make sure the learning objective, the method and the correct technology is used.



Reflection 3 Conclusion from speed vs wheel diameter experiment

The purpose of the experiment was to determine the affect of the diameter of the wheel on the speed and length of travel of the robot.

The materials used were Surry, the robot, measuring stick, timer and various wheel sets in different diameters. For reporting we are using Google docs, spreadsheets, and Lego NXT software for programming purposes. The methods used were collaborating with a partner to create the google docs and spreadsheet. As a team, we wrote the NXT program for Surry and downloaded it. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">We worked together to test each variable by changing out a set of wheels then testing the affect it had on the distance/speed of the robot. Three experiements were tried. The results matched the hypothesis we formulated. The wheels with the greater diameter had the most speed and distance. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">TPACK - The technology is a good fit for the objectives to be taught about diameter affecting speed. Students are able to predict and test their theories. The hands-on engagement will help student retain and apply the objectives.

Link to Lab report https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iKb5STURnEtypnMRzrC67hNkur6T3-O8ALuEPmgJwfk/edit

Reflection 4

The robotic arm activity was a great way to show students concepts of robotics at work. Commands can be programmed to tell Surry to use its arm to pick up and move objects, drop objects in a different location. Thus this applies to many fields of work from agriculture to manufacturing these types of commands/instruments are used in businesses today. The medical field is also an important place where robotics is being explored more and more. These types of activities are beneficial to students to expose them to the possibilities. The surgery activities were a great way to show students new concepts and possibilities. TPACK-the technology was a great part of showing this concept. Small group and partner work help the student with concepts.

Prezi link: []

Reflection #5 Sensor Reflection Touch Sensor - The value of the sensor when pushed in was 1 The value of the sensor when Not pushed in was 0

Sound Sensor With a distance of 50 cm away, a whisper caused the sensor to have a value of 7-9 With a distance of 50 cm away, a normal speaking voice recorded a value of 25 With a distance of 50 cm away, a loud speaking voice recorded a value of 80-100

Light Sensor On a color palette with the sensor 3 cm away, the values were recorded Yellow 47 Red 46 Green 42 Blue (light) 39 Blue (dark) 44

With light sensor 2 cm away, these values were recorded Lightest gray 51 A little darker 47 Little darker 50 Little darker 51 Darkest 45

Ultransonic Sensor The smallest value the sensor read with hand closest to it was 6 The largest value the sensor read with hand farthest away was 21 (we discovered here that the sensor needed to be recalibrated) We were able to confirm that 50 cm away was about right for the value. Steadiness of the object made a difference.