Challenge: Emma is struggling with shape in mathematics. How can we use our robot to help Emma?

Explore: We explored the different types of robots that we can use to conduct an activity to help Emma with her shape work.

Plan:

Activity: Work in pairs or groups. Place the robot on the shape map and ask each other questions: Where is the triangle? Land on a shape that has 5 sides, What is this called?

KS1 / KS2
Tools
/ Bluebot.
IPad (With Bluebot App).
Shape Mat. / Bigtrak Rover.
IPod (With Bigtrak Rover App).
Large Blank Paper.
Thick Felt pen.
Elastic Band.
Process /
  1. We discussed how it will work.
  2. We set equipment up.
  3. Tested the equipment.
    - Trying to get it to land on the square with properties of a desired shape.
/
  1. Discuss how we are able to get the Rover to draw with the equipment.
  2. Set up equipment.
  3. Discuss what shapes we can draw and identify the properties we need – identify the process needed to create the shapes.
  4. Test the equipment.

Outcome / Did not have the same resource (shape mat) as the app required.
Had to take a picture of the mat that we did have – which was difficult to align to the grid for the app. This therefore did not enhance the learning and challenge. / App for the Rover did not work due to technical issues.
Had to use a Bluebot to draw the shapes rather than the Rover.
Pen was positioned on the side of the Bluebot which meant that as it rotated the curve of it was drawn too.
We had to use the Bluebot to draw a straight line and then physically rotate it 90° so this defied the point of using technology to enhance the open-ended challenge.
Evaluation / If the Bluebot is not available to do the activity, we can use a Beebot instead - It does not require an app so the activity can still be conducted. / Had to use Bluebot for the activity, however only rotates by 90°, limiting the shapes that we can draw.
Tried to draw a square however didn’t work efficiently, would have been more effective if we had the correct resources for the task.

Computational thinking skills:

1)Generalisation – When tried to create our activity we thought about many different robots and tested their suitability for the task.

2)Imagination – Tried to adapt the activity, considering how to use our resources effectively.

3)Collaboration – We shared ideas and discussed how we can solve the problem throughout.

4)Perseverance– We did not give up on the idea of the activity, we adapted and changed the resources.

5)Making mistakes – Many errors in the activity in the testing process, attempted to solve the problems in the most suitable way.