Case Study: Control with LEGO Robolab

Control With LEGO Robolab
"LEGO Educational Division´s products have been developed specifically for learning, and the classroom sets contain materials for teachers and students."

Aims & Objectives

By the end of the sessions the children will:

  • Control the LEGO robots they have built
  • Be familiar with the concepts of control using programming languages
  • Be able to complete control challenges set using the knowledge gained

How was it achieved?

Firstly the children were prepared for the rest of the sessions by using the resources made available through LEGO Robolab online.

Robolab Online provides a virtual representation of the LEGO bricks and an exact copy of the Robolab control software. These resources were used to familiarise the children with the concept of control and introduce them to the visual programming language they use to control the robots.

The lessons then included:

  • Building the robot they were to control
  • Using the Robolab PC based software
  • Completing specific control tasks set
  • Using the acquired knowledge to solve problems

Timeframe

5 Lessons - 2 Hours per lesson

Age group

These lessons were delivered to a group of year 4 pupils identified by the local Gifted & Talented network. These lessons could easily be adapted to be delivered to younger or older children up to year 6.

Resources

Why run this project?

LEGO has been identified as an exciting and engaging way to teach to subject of control. LEGO also have a dedicated educational division.

LEGO Educational Division´s products have been developed specifically for learning, and the classroom sets contain materials for teachers and students. The teacher's guides establish a framework for structured class sessions.

The programming language that is provided with Robolab is mapped to key stages and advanced with the child. In early key stages the software uses a highly graphical programming interface based upon symbols and at later key stages the programming language is transformed into a much more traditional programming language based upon logical programming statements.

Using LEGO Robolab enables teachers to easily include different learning styles as building the robots is very enjoyable for children with a tactile / kinaesthetic learning style and the programming language is highly visual, at lower key stages, which should engage children with a visual learning style.