Educational Robotics for the Classroom - Assignments
16-651: Educational Robotics for the Classroom - Assignments
Homework 1: Concept Exploration & Concept Mapping
Due Wednesday, July 13th
Your homework is to generate multiple curriculum candidates suitable for discussion
and for evaluation so that, during the remaining time, you can narrow from these
candidates to one particular idea.
Please come with descriptions of at least 5 curricular concepts using the Robot Diaries
technology kits. These 5 concepts should draw on at least 3 different subject areas or
disciplines. Describe each candidate with one paragraph of prose, plus a listing of
subjects outside of technology relevant to the idea. Be sure to include a description
of what the student might do for this project.
Keep in mind that projects can be designed to span short or long time frames.
Homework 2: Mini Project
Due Thursday, July 14th
Write a mini project based on the Robot Diaries technology kit that takes its
inspiration from one of the Wednesday tours. The mini project should include both a
research component and an action component for students to complete.
Post your mini project to both the course blog and the Robot Diaries blog. Email
educationalrobotics@posterous.com to post to http://educationalrobotics.posterous.com/
Email robotdiaries@posterous.com to post to http://robotdiaries.posterous.com/
In-class Project: Concept Definition
Thursday, July 14th
Based on the matrix evaluation and discussions Tuesday, from your candidate
concepts, select your concept and create the first draft of your detailed concept
definition.
This should include:
• standards met by this curricular concept
• rubrics for measuring student performance
• one-paragraph motivation for the specific curriculum
• proposed calendar for how this activity fits into your school year, including
estimates of time spent on the activity
Homework 3: Evaluations and Standards
Due Friday, July 15th
Using your prior evaluation experience and the evaluation techniques we discussed on
Thursday, design evaluation instruments to deploy if and when you use your Robot
Diaries curriculum in-class. Prepare the actual paper or web-based forms that you
propose to use. We will review your evaluation strategy with you one-on-one on
Friday to give you feedback and suggest changes.
You should have at least one pre/post survey prepared for today and entered into
Survey Monkey. You should include on your survey questions designed to measure
attitudinal changes regarding interest in technology, and your survey should also
include questions that measure at least one other form of impact that is not related
to technology.
Because evaluation is designed in the context of your specific learning goals, you
should have a 1-page evaluation goals document that describes the learning themes
and issues that motivate your particular evaluation instruments.
Final Project Presentation
Due Saturday, July 16th
On Saturday you will be presenting all your project materials to the class and to
special invited guests that we will have here. Ensure that your project includes the
following components, all of which should be uploaded to both the course blog and
the Robot Diaries blog:
• Description of student activities/units
• Standards
• Grading rubrics
• Evaluation tools
In addition, we will try out the mini activities you have designed. For your mini
activity please prepare documentation as needed for the participants and a timeline
that should span 1 hour of work.