Primary Education

In the educational software RoboMind you can make a little robot perform tasks by giving simple instructions, thus learning about computer science and robotics in a playfull way. A class not only gets acquainted with technology, but you also train logical and structured thinking to let Robo do the right things. And that is something that is daily of practical use: whether you want to become a engineer, nurse or lawyer.

From the many reactions of users RoboMind proofs to substantially contribute to the promotion of science and technology in education. Apart from this children learn about structured logical and computational thinking, subjects often missed in primary (and secondary) education. While solving challenges, children also to some extend train their reading literacy and numeracy as a robot only understands very precise instructions and does not tolerate spelling mistakes.

With RoboMind you can create lessons at any level, but preferably everyone should be able to complete all the exercises. In addition more difficult extensions can easily be provided for the fastest and brightest. Needless to say that working with RoboMind should also be just plain fun. To this end we are developing a new RoboMind learning plan for children between the ages of 9 to 12 years old. See this example lesson to get an idea.

Learning plan

We are currently developing a three-year learning plan which starts with children aged 9 to 10 years old (Key Stage 2). The structure of this learning plan is as follows:

1. In the first year pupils will get acquainted with giving instructions to machines like the RoboMind robot. They will learn how the robot can robustly navigate in varying circumstances by using repeat-loops and if-then-else rules (conditions). They will learn to program a (virtual) surveillance robot, a Mars robot, and a path finding robot.
   
   Dowload the Courseplan Year 1
   
   
2. In the second year we will rehearse and extend what has been learned the year before. Knowledge and understanding will be deepened and new logical structures (procedures) will be introduced. At the end of this course they have learned to understand how robot vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers can automatically do their job.
   
   Dowload the Courseplan Year 2
   
   
3. In the third year all knowledge from year one and two will be used to experiment with different methods and techniques to solve some specific problems. What, for instance, is the best way to search for mines? The advantages and disadvantages of the various possible solutions will be examined. This year will be concluded with a real competition to see what solutions everyone came up with and which solution works best!

Year 1 and 2 have been developed and tested in close cooperation with primary schools in the Netherlands and are available in the RoboMind Academy

Each lesson pack spans a period of 7 weeks x 1.5 hours and is fully complete. It includes:

• presentations,
• movies,
• teacher notes,
• manuals,
• maps,
• scripts,
• hints to help if a student may occasionally get stuck.

ICT curriculum uses and referencing in the UK

Perfect for the 2014 programming initiative announced by Michael Gove.

• Chapter 1: Key concepts
  • 1.3 Exploring ideas and manipulating information:
    • (a) Solving problems creatively by using ICT to explore ideas and try alternatives.
    • (b) Using ICT to model different scenarios, identifying patterns and testing hypotheses.
• Chapter 2: Key processes
  • 2.2 Developing ideas
    • (b) solve problems by developing, exploring and structuring information, and deriving new information for a particular purpose.
    • (c) test predictions and discover patterns and relationships, exploring,evaluating and developing models by changing their rules and values.
  • 2.4 Evaluating: Pupils should be able to:
    • (a) review, modify and evaluate work as it progresses, reflecting critically and using feedback
    • (b) reflect on their own and others’ uses of ICT to help them develop and improve their ideas and the quality of their work
    • (c) reflect on what they have learnt and use these insights to improve future work.
      

Possible teaching activities and cross curricular use

• Programming in Y7
• Introduction to artificial intelligence
• Command a virtual robot.
• Learn a simplified version of the C programming language