Finch 2.0 - Coding & Robotics

 

At first glance this looks like a really strange little kid’s toy. In fact, my middle schoolers were looking at me and wondering why we were going to use this thing in class. They were certain I had lost my mind. But as we dug deeper into the coding aspect of it, we all realized just how much this little robot can “kick a punch”.

Finch 2.0 by BirdBrain Technologies, is an educational robot that can be coded using block, JavaScript and Python languages, among many, and is rated for students 5 years and older. Make no mistake, though - the company does a fine job in marketing this bot for middle grades and up the ladder to college aged students as well - and with nice results, I might add.

Programming a Micro:bit in apps like Snap!, MakeCode, Swift, to name a few, has Finch accessible using Macs, PCs, Chromebooks, and tablets. Other cool features include Bluetooth, sensors, a 7-hour battery life (impressive) and more. This is a very impressive product.

In teams of two, my students have had their Finch:

• Code their way through mazes
• Define shapes
• Code their way through a scavenger hunt for information (space theme, civics ed theme, etc)
• Played a life-sized version of Battleship
• Worked their way through obstacle courses
• Drew figures, their names, you-name-it - a marker can be inserted into the bot easily.

I start by getting students used to the Micro:Bit - how it works, downloading their code, etc. In each program are tutorials, how-to’s, etc to help out on this part. Once you get past these logistics, the rest is relatively easy. Students will likely pick up other meaningful aspects of it on their own.

I’m a big fan!

https://store.birdbraintechnologies.com/products/finch2

Headphones - A Public Service Announcement!

Public Service Announcement: When buying headphones for our students, especially Elementary-aged, PLEASE buy on-ear headphones and not earbuds. I keep seeing kids grabbing cheap catchy colored buds in the school supply sections at stores just for their looks and not for their quality. Imagine, having that lousy tone quality, stoked up, inside the ear - it will have lasting, damaging effects. As well, set the device’s setting to limit volume adjustments at a mid-range decibel (middle-volume), as an added safety measure.

We’ve got to be better at protecting sweet ears! Trust me on this one, folks! 🎧

Bloxels....YES!

Clearly, one of the newest, neatest edtech tools to come on the market....Bloxels - by Pixel Press Technologies is... "A hands-on platform for kids to build, collaborate, and tell stories through video game creation." This addictive game does all of this and more - it brings out imagination, excitement and in the end, success! A starter kit comes with 360-400 pixel blocks, a creation board, a colorful & detailed instruction guide to get started, posters, stickers...and....the Free App - available for both iPad and iPhone users. Students in our Lab caught on very quickly to how it all works - working in layers, essentially, you're creating the video game with the pixel blocks on the game board. The iPad or iPhone, within the app, takes a picture that then becomes part of the interactive video. Using the in-app controls, the characters and actions come to life!  I'm talking coooool!

I'm also a fan of the website, which is separated in two - one for kids to explore and have fun and the other side for the rest of us to get more information, make purchases and more. (Kid's site: http://kids.bloxelsbuilder.com/ - Everybody Else: http://www.bloxelsbuilder.com/home)

Nicely done Pixel Press...nicely done! 

Ed Tech Tools for our Younger Coding Friends

During our Month of Code, we used a couple of fairly new Ed Tech tools to help with basic programming for our K-2 friends.  They enjoyed the hands-on approach to learning and really got the hang of it all rather quickly.

Learning Resources hits the mark with this programmable Robot Mouse.  Essentially, by depressing the directional and sound buttons on top of the mouse, it will move a rotation in that direction.  The box comes with one purple mouse and a set of directional coding cards. Use the coding cards as a way to challenge the group to move their robot in whichever direction you choose. I've also created large floor grids for Students that have them code the mouse to get from start to finish and decide how to move forward the amount of rotations that are needed. I like how easy this device is to use and requires little instruction. Once Students tinker a little, they're all set for whatever challenge might come their way.

Fisher Price's Code-a-Pillar is another hit with our Students. It too is very easy to learn to operate and does an excellent job of demonstrating basic coding principles. It's cute and has fun sounds which also add to the appeal. Fisher Price rates this for Pre-K, but we've found it works quite well with our K-1st STEM friends. The body separates into directional and sound pieces that are easy to re-attach by little hands. More pieces can be purchased, but the initial set comes with 8 pieces. 

Aside from a coding experiences, both of these devices are perfect for Centers, Genius Hour, Robotics, free time and more.

Caring & Sharing...Tech Style

A great way to introduce Technology to Kinder-Friends is by what I like to call our "Care & Share" time in the Lab. Not only do they learn about all the devices available, the mechanics and care, but they also learn and practice sharing in a play sort of way.

First up is "Shapes Week". They learn about the iPad and all of its features, along with the Tangram pieces and OSMO devices, as well as the shape pieces & Tiggly applications.  

We'll discover "Letter Week" and "Number Week" with the same programs and devices, as well as K-friendly robotics and coding fun. 

Not only are they learning and exploring techy activities, they're also learning to collaborate as they play. It's a win-win-win all the way around. 

This is a good idea. 

Meccanoid G15 Personal Robot

Probably the coolest Robot I've seen in a long time, the Meccanoid G15 Personal Robot comes to us from Meccano.(http://www.meccano.com/meccanoid-about).  There are actually two Robots of similar features, but one is 4' tall & this one of ours is 2' tall; it moves, waves, blinks and speaks!  It comes requiring assembly....which, for me, was one of the best parts of the experience.  Easy to read instructions takes you step by step connecting the some 600 pieces together.  It took a few hours to assemble, but well worth it as it gave me a real connection, a real personal connection with the robot.

A few notes: 1) the arms are the trickiest to assemble. It took me a of couple of times to get the joints to face the correct direction. This meant taking them all apart and putting them all together again...this was a lot of steps each time. 2) the robot requires 4-C batteries that run out pretty quickly.  In fact, it won't function when the battery life is limited.  You'll want to put these batteries on your shopping list. 3) once assembled, it's a good idea to plug it in and check for updates to the firmware. We missed this step, up front and once discovered, everything else worked.

Here are "How-to" videos that go step by step through everything our little friend can do: http://www.meccano.com/videos?filter=.how_to  I recommend watching them to get the full benefit of all it's amazing features!

It has become a wonderful robotic experience! I give it a two thumbs up and a handbump!

360 + Field Trip = A very cool VR Experience!

A total 'hot' topic these days is Virtual Reality (VR),  and why not? VR can take you to places all over the earth, stars and even transport you back in time.  Consider seeing Mars, viewing the inside of a space shuttle, seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa, take a road trip up the Appalachian Trail or wander back to 1255 and see the Tower of London and get a true sense of it's culture. For fun, take a virtual roller coaster ride, walk among dinosaurs, experience a real-feel ghost story or be in the midst of a world class soccer tournament.  All these are possible with a viewer, an app and a sense of adventure.

Viewers are aplenty these days. Google Cardboard (https://www.google.com/get/cardboard/), the re-emergence of ViewMaster (http://www.view-master.com/en-us) and many others are very affordable options. Since a phone, iPod Touch or other such devices are used, I like the viewers that enclose the device for total protection versus those that simply hold it in place, but this is a personal preference.

There are also many Apps for the journey or for fun game time as well.  And many are Free!  Here's a few of my favorites:

Google Cardboard (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-cardboard/id987962261?mt=8)

Google Street View (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-street-view/id904418768?mt=8)

TimeLooper (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/timelooper/id1017923978?mt=8)

VR World (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vr-world-for-google-cardboard/id1073478129?mt=8) 

VR Roller Coaster for Google Cardboard (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vr-roller-coaster-for-google/id1076483949?mt=8) 

Wish: I would like a complete package with a great viewer, a device and amazing apps, at an affordable price, for a class set of 30! It seems these days, they come separate where each item is very costly.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Ozobot - Small, but Mighty!

Using the Ozobots with Students this past week, for Robotics Week, was simply amazing! This was the first experience using our tiniest robots for many of the Students, so I started off describing how it operates just like any other robot, by following the commands or codes given to it. We could have grabbed iPads and used the Blockly style apps for coding, but I think it's helpful to have Students begin manually coding them to get a good look at how the process works. Ozobot has a lengthy and well rounded part of their site, full of great lesson plans, so I selected several of the basic level plans along with the fun challenges.  And...away we went! Here's a look at the Challenges we selected.  Students worked in pairs and were encouraged to talk out the challenge before putting ink to paper.  This was a great exercise in planning and designing!

                                   

Other challenges were to put 4 of the US Presidents in order...given Presidents Day was recently celebrated, it added an element of fun.  Bowling Pin Challenge also gave the partners a bit of a time. These challenges were perfect for 3rd thru 5th Graders, but I can see our 2nd Graders managing nicely as well. 

Excellent Lab time exploring our little robot friends!

Robotics Week includes newest addition: "Dot & Dash"

Robotics Week is our chance to explore and discover new ways to use all the robots we have available to us. This week, we take a crack at our newest addition, Wonder Workshop's "Dot & Dash" (https://www.makewonder.com/) These are two really cute robots that come ready to use right out of the box!  There is no assembly needed.  They come with several free apps and connecting the iPad with either via Bluetooth is a snap. Dot & Dash and their apps are rated for age 4 and above. While this is true, we have found these to be perfect for 1st & 2nd Graders.

Here's a look at the apps:

"Go" - allows Dash to freely roam with a swipe of the finger.  This app is perfect for those fun mazes, running races and creating shapes.  When you add the 'scoop' attachment, Dash can move items all around.  Our friends used the 'scoop' to sort items and do math games where they moved the answer into the right space.

"Xylo" - add the xylophone attachment to Dash and it plays a tune!  We assigned letters of the alphabet to the colored tiles, then Students spelled out their name and could hear their 'name-song'!  Very special for us all!

"Path" - draw a path and add sounds, then Dash will run the route and follow the commands. Dot will make the sounds, creating a neat exercise in sequencing.  This is a perfect start to Coding as they must follow a sequence to level up to the next.

"Blockly" - yet another perfect practice in programming.  What I just realized is this tool is created by Google....no wonder it's a great tool!  Students snap together blocks of code in the program and have the robots run the code!  Challenging, yet fun!  I rate this more for the older Student (2nd Grade)

Realistically, groups of 2 to 3 Students working the applications and setting the Robot on it's course is a good number.  The practice of sharing and taking turns is a real plus.

Obstacle Courses for Every Robot!

Before we go into any full blown PBL activity using any of our Robots, we first set our sights at learning the mechanics.  To do this, we construct obstacle courses full of tricky twists and turns. Throw in some wooden houses, caution & stop signs and a few detours to make it interesting.  

Let's Talk About Great EdTech Tools!

OSMO (https://www.playosmo.com/en/)
OSMO - simply put...great tool!  This is an interactive device that connects to an iPad 2 or newer and is rated for K-Friends and up. Added bonus...this is also a great tool for integrating technology in our Encore Art Classes.  Presently, the package, which includes a base, a reflector, 2 sets of alpha chips and a set of tangrams sells for $79, along with several free downloadable apps. Each app has several levels ranging from Easy to Hard. When in Play-mode, they level up nicely and appropriately. What I specifically love about OSMO is the eye-catching pictures and pleasant sounds.  It really is all top quality!  The Free apps include a tangram game, a word/phonics game, a physics game called Newton and a drawing app which can use the device's camera and photo album to download pictures into the app. The individual pieces are durable and well crafted.  Primarily, we use OSMO in our Kindergarten & 1st Grade Classrooms for Math & Reading Centers.


Tiggly - (https://www.tiggly.com/)

Tiggly - This is a sweet tool for our younger friends in Pre-K to 2nd Grade.  The very durable, yet soft-to-the touch manipulatives (numbers, vowels, and shapes) work interactively with the applications on iPad2 and newer.  Each step's instructions are carefully mapped out, so limited supervision is necessary.  Each app levels up nicely, gives pleasant praise and encouragement, has nice music & graphics and speaks clearly.  Some apps even allow for multiple languages to be articulated.....now that's a nice feature. There are several number apps, one particular is of a Chef who needs help with his recipe...cute! The user places the numbered manipulative that matches the number of portions Chef needs directly on the iPad's screen.  If more units are needed, an addition problem is shown..another nice feature here.  If too many units are placed, there is a pleasant ding to try again.  In the apps that use the vowels, beginning and ending letters are shown and the user creates words with the correct vowel manipulative.  If it is correct, a fun picture is shown.  If the vowel placed is incorrect, the app springs it off the page....it's really kind of funny. Of course, each app levels up from Easy to More Difficult. The apps that use the shapes are for the youngest friends and work similarly to the other apps.  This is yet another perfect tool for Centers, but I also like this for our EC and ESL friends, because of the proper sounds, the multiple languages that can be heard and more.  This just feels like a great fit all the way around.


Sphero - (http://www.sphero.com/)

Sphero is a very cool device.  If you check out the webpage & video, it shows so many possibilities in a catchy way.  This hard ball robot can be programmed to do just about anything.  It can change colors, spin, go in all directions, you can play golf, have races, run obstacle courses and so much more.  There are so many iOS apps to choose from and easy to get started.  I rate this for the older Students in 4th and up.  Tinkering is essential up front before you introduce it to Students.  It will be tricky for them at first, but once everyone gets the hang of it, it is fun, engaging and addictive.

Ozobot - (http://www.ozobot.com/)

I have to add Ozobot to my list as it has become an easy favorite of mine!  Ozobot blends creativity, coding, critical thinking and more to the mix.  It can be programmed either using the iOS apps or by drawing wide lines on a blank piece of paper using a black, blue, green or red marker.  Ozobot can move in all directions, change colors, spin, stop, speed up, slow down and so much more.  I think this would be a great team building exercise to have Students work together to program theirs and then show off their work to the rest of the Class in the end...who can be more creative?  From the webpage, there are codes that can be printed, pre-made programs to get stared with and more information.  I like it!

A New Tech Toy for the Toy Box......an OZOBOT!

I absolutely love techy toys! Especially ones that have a nice design, are fully functioning and deliver outstanding results.  That's what you get with Ozobot!   Ozobot (http://www.ozobot.com/) is a robot....a very small robot, that can be programmed either by using an iPad app (Free download) or by drawing thick lined tracks using a color scheme on a white piece of paper.  The color schemes can be printed from the webpage, as well as other pre-planned challenges to get started. Presently, the robots are $49.99 for one or $89.99 for a pair through Amazon.  Teams of 2 to 3 Students can work together to code a robot and play the game.

The iPad app allows the user to free draw, program the robot to 'dance', or create a path using a variety of directional blocks.  Each 'game' is challenging, requires strategic planning and is a lot of fun. I specifically like the music and the design of each program....very eye appealing, catchy and adds to the overall experience.

The Drawing option connects robot & creativity, interactively.  With black, red, blue & green thick-edged markers & the Ozobot's color scheme codes (found on their webpage), the user draws 'tracks' using the codes & the Ozobot moves in all directions, spins, changes colors, changes speed & more. Also challenging and a ton of fun, but adds that creative side to the robot experience that I like very much.

Ideally, this would be best rated for the older Students in 3rd through 5th Grades.  I was quickly impressed with this little gem and think it would be a perfect addition to the Robotics Unit in the Tech Lab, during Clubs, Centers or Free Play.


Robotic fun,
Elana Moore

Robotics - This Is How We Roll!

At School, I'm fortunate to be able to take Students on a Robotics journey.  This journey begins when they come into the Tech Lab during Encore or for smaller groups when we have our monthly Club meetings. We use Lego Mindstorm NXT's for this journey! (Our model is retired. Currently the Lego Mindstorm EV3's are sold. They offer a few more whistles & bells, but carry the same type of programming. Click on the link for information & buyer's details)   I like Robotics because we can strengthen critical thinking skills, programming/coding skills (they do have to get the robot to travel from one point to the next, right?), multifaceted problem solving, storytelling and so much more. The Robots are a perfect device to accomplish all of this!

First things first....they have to learn how the device operates.  So, to solve this problem, I create several types of grids.  These can be line-grids, 'X-marks-the-spot' grids and more.  The grids are designed so that they learn how to get the robot to move forward & backwards within the appropriate amount of rotations, and to turn in all degrees and directions, necessary to complete the grid.  If things don't go as planned, then they have to come up with solutions to correct their problem.  Space is always an issue in a burgeoning School environment, but we try and find the right place that would be available for a few weeks to accomplish this goal.  I don't always like picking up grids, only to have to put them back down for the next group of Students.

Once, they've mastered these types of skills, I then open up the some fun PBL challenges.  One PBL is "Our Town", where problems happen within the town's limits and they have to get from one point the next, while avoiding all the obstacles.  For instance, they are at home and they have to get to School to pick up their children.  The School is across town, and there normal route is riddled with all sorts of traffic hazards on one street and fire & rescue trucks coming the opposite way on another.  How will they get to School in time?  It's trickier than it sounds.

Another PBL is "Space Invaders"  This is mapped out similarly to "Our Town", but using the Planets in the Solar System.  They answer a trivial question about the planet, then they have to determine how to get to that planet from their starting place....again, so many challenges along the way!


So how does Storytelling play into all of this?  One way is by using the "Our Town" grid. Students will create a story, full of their own imaginative twists and turns. They will create as much detail as they can...make it interesting and fun.  Once finished, they will pass their story onto the next team, who will try it out.  This is not only a great time for creativity, but it is also a great opportunity for feedback.  What went well, what needs tweaking, what didn't work and why.  There might even be some suggestions as to how to fix or make the story better.

Robots can also be programmed to make sounds, pick up and set down items, etc.

Ok...some logistics:  I like groups of 2 and no more than 3 Students to a team.  Each member must be engaged and help....no bossy-buddies, here!   Once everyone has completed a task or a story, I like for everyone to show off their work, to see what the total group is capable of.  We always cheer each other on.

Above all else, Students are encouraged to have fun and be creative!

This is a good idea,

Elana Moore

Cool Tool for our Younger Friends....Tiggly!

We're always looking for cool tools to help our younger Friends. The challenge becomes finding something that is not too young or bordering on too old in content and ability level.  We found Tiggly.  Tiggly (http://www.tiggly.com/) is an interactive tool that uses soft and durable shapes, letters and blocks to go along nicely with iPad applications that are free to users.  Sold separately or in a bundle that includes a mix or all of the manipulatives, makes up what I think is a worthwhile investment. 

Download apps by searching "Tiggly" in iTunes and you'd be surprised at the offering and the graphics, which kids will love.  Story time, math, shape-fun and more. Most all of the apps are free and good to get you started. Once downloaded and launched, the manipulatives come into play.  Whether asked for a string of 5 or 10 blocks...placing the right vowel in the word or choosing the right shape, you place the manipulatives on the iPad screen and the program gives excellent feedback or sweet encouragement. 

Right off, I like this for our EC, ESL and (pre-K to) K-Friends.  This could be used with one Student or a few, making this an excellent choice for Centers, free-play or any lesson. 

"H_ppy"....quick...place the "a"!!!

Elana Moore

We're loving our OSMO!

OSMO (http://tinyurl.com/ouskjot), is a new device, this year, at School and we have become fast and famous friends already!  In the box, (which, at this time is $79.99 per unit), is a base that holds an iPad, a reflector that attaches on top of the iPad and covers the camera, a set of tangrams, two sets of letters and several free downloadable apps.  It is easy to assemble and even easier to get started.  Word of warning: it is highly addictive and Students love it!

Working with the tangrams, the Student must arrange the tiles in the same design as is shown in the app. (See the picture above.) Basic levels to higher levels challenge critical thinking skills and is fun!

Working with the letter tiles is like a great game of 'Hangman'.  The app displays lovely pictures (literally) and the Student must place tiles down to spell the word.  The higher levels become quite tricky and are not the words that you think they will be....in fact some can be "head-scratchers".

There are drawing apps that are also a ton of fun and have their own sets of challenges for Students.

This is a great device for Centers in the Classroom.  I like how interactive it is and how teams of Students work together and collaborate!  We currently have one in each of our Kindergarten Classes.  We feel this is an excellent tool for K, 1st & 2nd Grade friends; however, a Teacher Friend of mine bought one for her 4th Grade daughter, who really enjoys working with it. 


OSMO rocks!

Elana Moore