Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Resources and More 4 the School Library Journal / ISTE Webinar "Getting Started with Robotics"


Webcast 1: Getting Started with Robotics - program series created by ISTE and SLJ.
Get on board with one of the hottest trends in education and immediately engage learners of all ages with robotics. Learn how to integrate programming real-life objects in the library.

Wednesday, January 27th, 2016, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PT Learn how to integrate programming real-life objects in the library, with resources and tips on entry-level robots, student-designed robotic projects, and more.
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 Some Books and Articles on Student Robotics from Mark Gura

-          (Article) ISTE’s  Learning &Leading with Technology:  
LEGO Robotics: STEM Sport of the Mind
-          (popular blog) Edutopia : Student Robotics and the K-12 Curriculum
-          (BOOK) Getting Started with LEGO Robotics A Guide for K–12 Educators
https://www.iste.org/resources/product?ID=1690

Free Chapter #1 from Getting Started…
Robotics Materials and Resources
- Virtual Robotics Program - FREE!

- No Robot, No Problem! Robot Virtual Worlds is a high-end simulation environment that enables students, without robots, to learn programming.
http://robotvirtualworlds.com/ 


Teacher Content and Materials
- Classroom Robotics Blog is the Perfect Resource to Support Student Success with Common Core Standards” Says Literacy Expert  Classroom Robotics Blog is the Perfect Resource to...

- New Student Robotics Kits seen at the ISTE 2013 Conference New Student Robotics Kits seen at the ISTE 2013 C

Talking and Writing about Robot Creation Underscores Its Connection to Life, Job, and Literacy Learning Talking and Writing about Robot Creation Underscor...

- "Spare Parts" Movie: Student Robotics-fueled Learn...
- What can kids build with LEGO Robotics Materials? ...

21st Century Real World Robotics: Middle School Robotics Integration Across the Curriculum 21st Century Real World Robotics: Middle School Ro...

Competitions & Events


Sunday, January 17, 2016

Bio Mimicry Student Robot Activities, ePals, EdTech Digest, etc. Good Stuff!

A most interesting and worthwhile reference from EdTech Digest...

Cool Tool | ePals Experiences

CREDIT ePals Experiences flag
How do the traits of hummingbirds, geckos, and other animals help scientists design robots?
What can bird’s nest soup tell you about Chinese culture? How do images, color and text work together to communicate ideas that can change the world? These are just a few examples of the high-interest, Experiences, or explorations, that students can work on collaboratively with peers in Afghanistan, Greece, Iceland, India, Italy and other countries around the world through the free ePals Global Community. A division of Cricket Media, ePals connects millions of students and teachers across 200 countries to reinforce culture, language, and subject-based learning. ePals Experiences “are designed to inspire, challenge and empower kids by opening their minds to new understandings and points of view,” says  Cricket Media CEO, Katya Andresen. “When they collaborate on language learning or other activities with peers in places like Thailand or Argentina, these personal connections foster the global awareness and empathy called for in the 21st century.” Check it out.... 
http://www.epals.com/#/exploreExperience/view/Y9nyisAE68tpkCasa


See the above item at its source: http://www.epals.com/#/exploreExperience/view/Y9nyisAE68tpkCasa  

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Lego's WeDo 2.0 kit - kids learn about coding and STEM skills through fun robotics activities

Great c/net video... 


Lego robots scoot into the classroom  

"The Lego WeDo 2.0 kit helps kids learn about coding and teaches STEM skills with a fun robotics set"

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Young Students Learn Engineering and Coding from Creating Robots: LEGO Robotics... WeDO 2.0 Makes Science Come to Life!


Important article from Endgaget (below)...




"LEGO's little bot teaches kids about science and coding...

 Earlier today, LEGO revealed WeDo 2.0, a new robotics kit that's designed for elementary school kids. The 280-piece set enables the creation of motorized forms, okay, robots, that will help students learn the basics of engineering, science and coding. For instance, you can build Milo, the adorable one-eyed bot that's pictured, which can follow along strings of simple commands that are crafted in an accompanying app. Every time it follows a task, the corresponding icon flashes on screen so that children can see how programs are executed -- removing bugs when conflicts arise. It seems fascinating that a child in second grade could program the machine to move in a certain direction, but that's only the tip of LEGO's educational iceberg..."

Read the full article at its source: http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/06/lego-wedo-2-hands-on/   

Friday, January 8, 2016

Las Vegas Sun Sees Robotics Taking Center Stage of Classroom Technology

Important article from Las Vegas Sun

"Reading, writing, robots: A look at education technology on display at CES"

"Technology in the classroom has come a long way.
What started with a simple chalkboard has evolved into projectors, computers, tablets and now robots. If you go by what you see at CES, which kicked off Tuesday in convention centers on the Strip, the beeping, booping machines are the future of technology in the classroom.

It’s not a surprise that the programmable gizmos are taking center stage given the recent obsession with improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.
Here are some of the leading-edge education products on display Wednesday at CES:

Lego’s WeDo 2.0
By far the biggest name in the CES education sphere, Lego unveiled its customizable robot a day before the start of the conference. Meant specifically for use in the classroom and an upgrade from a previous model, the robot is a blocky Lego creation but includes a motor, Bluetooth communicator and several other high-tech sensors. Kids assemble the WeDo, then use an app that runs on smartphones, tablets and desktop computers to give it basic commands. The program allows young kids to grasp the concept of coding by reducing the process to a simple drag and drop. What’s more: The WeDo comes paired with 40 hours of classroom curriculum that teachers can use with the robot to teach concepts in subjects like science..."

Read the full article at its source:  http://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/jan/07/reading-writing-robots-a-look-at-education-technol/