Cue Robots

We recently purchased a fleet of Cue robots - but when I first downloaded the app it seemed that students needed to create an account.  I'm not keen to encourage students to sign up to lots of different apps or devices especially if under 13.  When I work with students on Scratch we also get permission form parents before asking them to use their school email to do this.  Anyways...so I put Cue on a back shelf until I had time to play.  Today I've been playing - I found that the app does not have to be signed into.  You can be a guest and access the app.  Now need to find a way to reset the apps!

Getting back into LEGO Mindstorms

Finally digging into some LEGO Mindstorms books I've had sitting on the bookshelf for a wee while now.  I'm no coding expert...I have a fine arts degree! So I'm pretty much self taught (good old youtube). 

Already through dipping into the books I'm finding simple tips to share with my students.  In our robotics lessons and clubs I often get students who are new to LEGO Mindstorms to follow instructions and build a basic robot.  I explain how the numbers on the building instruction link to the numbers on card in the kit's box.  Never knew you could measure the axles against the beams #love-small-things.  I also loved the diagram describing the pins.  I'm going to make cards for the students to help them.
   

This will help them two fold; when they first start I get them to build robots following simple instructions the idea being they get use to the 'tools' and how they work, then when they have gains confidence and experience before creating their own.  We also remix robots that we have built from instructions; i.e. combing different parts from different robots.  Embrace the remix!

Kano Update #2

This morning I powered up the kano for the first time and I made the computer classic 'pong' using blocks.  Questions I asked myself whilst "tinkering' with the kano were:

• How would I get students to track their learning of code and reflect on their learning?
• What digital citizenship strategies would we put in place for students signing up to Kano?

I also had a few minutes checking out the online lessons on the Kano website.  Good support and idea for teachers!

Kano

Playing around with Kano today!  What is Kano I hear you ask?  In an interview with The Guardian, CEO Alex Klein described Kano’s mission: “What we’re building here is a new kind of computer company, with creativity rather than consumption at its core. There’s a need and a hunger for a new type of creative computer around the world.” According to Kano's website it is "aimed at children and young adults it’s intended as an introduction to computer programming and is completely customizable.”  I've been chatting to Oliver Beech from Kano to see if these kits are viable for multi users.  Oliver explained that the kits can be disassembled and reused and the Kano can be set up each time so that it can be used by different children.

So today I first assembled the computer screen (you can actually connect the computer to a display or a TV with a HDMI port or you can purchase a screen to assemble from Kano).  The 'how to book' was awesome, great pictures, not too much wording and very easy to follow.  Connecting the case on the back to cover the driver board was a wee bit fiddly, as was the connector cable to the button board (with multiple disassemble the pins may get damaged).  With the Kano screen I'd probably not disassemble everytime (except the HDMI cable and the power cable).  The case around the driver board is transparent so easy to view and discuss.  I also loved the pictorial history of computers and screens!

The Kano computer (the DIY speaker, the Raspberry Pi and custom case was really easy to assemble. I would definitely ask the students to assemble and disassemble.  It was awesome to see all the detail and self assemble.

Now the keyboard is on charge so that I can then play with Kano!  I let you know how I'm getting on in another post.  I'm also eagerly awaiting the Kano 2 to arrive in the post which I backed on kickstarter in 2016!

WeDo 2.0 - summer investigations

During Term 4 last year we started using the WeDo 2.0 robots.  I worked with 2 student groups from Coronet (a mix of year 2 and 3 students).  We explored the 'Getting Started' creating Milo the Science Rover.  We followed the instruction and how to program guide and then 'tweeked' and experiment with different blocks to allow for more open ended exploration.  So this summer I've decided to spend some time getting to know the WeDo 2.0 further.

Today I looked at the on of the 'Guide Projects'; 'Plants and Pollinators'.   The WeDo 2.0 teacher's guide states that "The Guided Projects will help you set the scene and facilitate the learning experience. The Guided Projects should build your students’ confidence and provide the foundations necessary for success."

Pros for this guided project were: 

• the build, in particular used the bevel gears to change the axis of the rotation - this would provide a good discussion about different types of mechanism and could be used in future creative builds
• it provides one challenge to create and build a different organism that pollinates plants
• links well to researching about plants and their pollinators
• would be a great 'model' for students to explain pollination in a presentation 

WeDo 2.0 Plants + Pollinators from Emma Watts on Vimeo.

Cons for this guided project were: 

In my brief tinkering today I found limited programming exploration:

• the sound can be changed
• the algorithm can be added into a loop
• speed can be changed; the 'bee' does not stop accurately when speeded up - although this would create a good discussion

What I've loved about playing today and completing the WeDo 2.0 teacher elearning programme is learning more about the core set in greater detail.

There are 4 different types of parts in the core set.

1. structural parts 
2. connecting parts 
3. parts that produce movement 
4. decorative parts

Electronic parts:

1. sensors - a tilt sensor and a motion sensor
2. motors - to make things move 
3. smart hub - executes programming 

The WeDo 2.0 uses several parts to produce movement.  The types of motion include:

1. hub/pulley 
2. beam (to create pistons) 
3. gears
4. bevel gears (to change the axis of rotation) 
5. gear racks (to create pinions - that create a linear motion) 
6. wheels (rotates on axis to produce propelled movement) 
7. worm gear (functions as a break)

Milo the Science Rover from Emma Watts on Vimeo.

Failure

3D Printing Adventures

Tinkercad is down for maintenance and I've a stack of design from Term 4 students to download and print.  No worries this provides a good opportunity for some maintenance, change the printing filament to a new colour, ready to get started tomorrow!

After many prints the glue we apply to the bed of the printer builds up and causes the base of a print to be bumpy! (See picture below)

First make sure that the Ultimaker 2+ is turned off and build plate has cooled down.  Then gently  scrape some of the glue off using a painter's palette knife.  We have a couple of different sizes of pallette knife (they are also good at helping to get finished 3D prints off the bed.)

Next we vacuum clean the scrapings of dry glue so that it does not stick to the next print.

Today because the last print had gone really bumpy on the base I cleaned off all the glue.  After the vacuum cleaner step I use a damp cloth to take off all the glue.  I only do this once in a while! 

Ultimaker recommend removing the glass plate to clean of excess glue.  Watch these videos to show you how to do this.

Before our next print we re-apply a base layer of glue (it helps the 3D print stick to the bed of the printer.