Subject:
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Re: Robotics, Technic, etc.
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.lego.dacta
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Date:
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Thu, 25 Oct 2001 14:05:44 GMT
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Viewed:
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3078 times
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> Regarding Mindstorms -
>
> I've been teaching a Lego Robotics Course using the MicroScout, Scout and
> RCX sets - in a progression. The microscout lends itself to a "beginner"
> construction course. It is a simple introduction to Lego robotics
> construction. In addition, I use the Microscout units with a machines
> course. They are perfect to use in constructing simple motorized cars.
> Lessons about gearing, pulleys, friction and wheels are all easily
> illustrated by building simple vehicles that readily repeat standard
> behavior. Use program 1 to show which car goes the farthest, the
> shortest......etc.
>
> The Scout (Robotics Development Set) - which now unfortunately seems to have
> disappeared from the LEGO catalog was a favorite with our Middle School Tech
> teacher. It provided a good entry/intermediate level Robotics construction
> set - one where the focus was on construction. The kids did not get hung up
> on programming - they built things that worked. After this experience, they
> moved on to the RCX based robots and ROBOLAB.
>
> Unfortunately NEITHER of these units was ever marketed to the educational
> market. The Middle School Tech teacher was stymied in attempts to find a
> vendor willing to take a PO to buy RDS sets.
John,
LEGO Dacta has developed and marketed robotics materials for over 12 years
now. I personally used the LEGO TC Logo kits in my elementary classroom some
10 years ago. The materials have always been designed to meet the needs of a
variety of teachers including technology education. One of the issues you
raised is the lack of funding and this plays into the product development.
It would be exceptionally difficult for us to market a product range that
required schools to purchase 3 different interface devices. The cost factor
in general would be prohibitive for schools. There is also the issue (and
this plays a big role)of staff developement/teacher inservice training on
the product and its use in classrooms. It seems like your son's teacher in
well versed in technology and its applications, but that is not always the
case. I think having a tiered approach as you suggest would tend to be
confusing to market and train on. LEGO Dacta has developed some excellent
materials to allow students to have the sort of introductory experiences you
describe with the Starter Set and Team Challenge Introductory Activity Pack.
These along with the simple machines sets and curriculum packs we have make
a good component to the categories you list. While we are hopeful of
eventual change in the thought process in education, robotics is not a core
curriculum area currently. We must develop materials around existing
standards which explains the approach to having specific sets to teach
simple machines (which is a part of almost every state's curriculum)
seperate from our robotics materials.
Dan LaFountain
Pitsco LEGO Dacta
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Robotics, Technic, etc.
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| Maybe THIS is a better forum......... Dear PITSCO, You may wish to reference the "Bulk Technic Tubs" line under "Dear Lego" for some background. I teach a number of "enrichment" courses at my sons' elementary school, through scouts and elsewhere (...) (23 years ago, 19-Oct-01, to lugnet.lego.dacta)
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