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Lego Robotics to teach Team Building Skills

Explore how LEGO Robotics enhances team collaboration and decreases dropout rates in Computer Science classes. Initiate innovative teaching methods incorporating LEGO Mindstorm for a memorable learning experience.

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Lego Robotics to teach Team Building Skills

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  1. Lego Robotics to teach Team Building Skills Carlotta Eaton, NRCCShawn Lupoli, NRCC & RU

  2. Session Description • NRCC has incorporated team-based interactive activities • Utilize Lego Mindstorm Robotics • Retention booster • Team building experience • Course drop out rates from 50% down to 10% Eaton & Lupoli

  3. Agenda • Who? Carlotta, Shawn • What? What are the problems in an introductory CS class? • Why? Why use Lego Mindstorms? • How? How do I start with Legos? • Results? Teamwork, Retention Eaton & Lupoli

  4. Who? • Carlotta Eaton, CS & IT at NRCC • Shawn Lupoli, IT at NRCC & CS at RU Eaton & Lupoli

  5. Partially Funded by … • NSF Grant #0402567 VCCS Creating Pathways II for IT Professionals • VCCS Professional Grant Eaton & Lupoli

  6. What are the problems? • Intro to CS or programming class • 50% dropout rate • Area high school dropped all programming classes because no matching SOL Eaton & Lupoli

  7. Why use Mindstorms? See http://mindstorms.lego.com/?domainredir=www.mindstorms.com Eaton & Lupoli

  8. Why use Mindstorms? • Makes programming less abstract • Students can see a decision or a loop • Students work in teams • Students can DETECT and DEBUG errors with little frustration Eaton & Lupoli

  9. How do I start? • Class/Lab Structure • Lego Products • Mindstorm software • Computers • Table or Floor Space • Lots of Batteries Eaton & Lupoli

  10. How do I Start?(Class Structure) • CSC 200 • Seeww.nr.edu/csc200 • Course change request to 4 credits • 2 hours lecture on Basic Computer Topics • 2 hours lab learning basic programming constructs • Variables • If-Else • Loops • Etc… Eaton & Lupoli

  11. How do I Start?Mindstorms Software • Site License Agreement • RoboLab software Eaton & Lupoli

  12. How do I Start?Computers Computer built from Legos Eaton & Lupoli

  13. How do I start?RCX Programmable Lego Brick • Serves as the brain of the Lego Mindstorms sets. Eaton & Lupoli

  14. How do I start?Infrared Transmitter with USB Cable • Connects to the computer • Establishes wireless link between RCX brick and computer Eaton & Lupoli

  15. How do I start?Technology Resource Set • Technically oriented brick set • Good supplement to Mindstorms sets • 1110 pieces Eaton & Lupoli

  16. How do I Start?All in one Set Robo Technology Setwith USB Transmitter • Get basics in a set • RCX brick • USB transmitter • Picture book • Sensors, motors • Lego Bricks Eaton & Lupoli

  17. How do I Start?(extra stuff) • Microsoft Visio • Flowcharting software • LDraw • 3D CAD program drawing legos • Has ALL mindstorm pieces!!! • Free!!! Eaton & Lupoli

  18. How do I Start?(Students in Lab) • Strive for 3 students per group • Students excel in groups • Students help one another • 3 is proven to be optimal • Kits are expensive Eaton & Lupoli

  19. Results • CSC 200 dropout rate declined from 50% to 10% • Students work together in teams • Students form friendships and support group • Students take CSC 200 prior to a programming language such as VB or Java • Also reduced dropout rate in follow-on programming classes such as VB or Java • Reduces anxiety of the Java/VB jump Eaton & Lupoli

  20. Resources www.lego.com/education/ Eaton & Lupoli

  21. More Resources • CSC 200 at NRCCwww.nr.edu/csc200/labs/lab3-lego-start.html • Tufts Universitywww.ceeo.tufts.edu/ • National Instrumentswww.ni.com/company/robolab.htm • First Lego Leaguewww.usfirst.org/jrobtcs/flego.htm Eaton & Lupoli

  22. Mindstorms Support • LEGO Education will continue to support the existing platform until the end of 2009 • Mindstorms NXT - Next generation will launch August 2006 • See http://www.lego.com/ Eaton & Lupoli

  23. Support: Teacher Guides • Teacher guides available for elementary & middle school students Eaton & Lupoli

  24. Support: Online Activity Bank • Web Site for K-12 Activities • http://www1.lego.com/education/preschool/default.asp?l2id=1_2&pagename=sub_ab_1&locale=2057 Eaton & Lupoli

  25. Summary • Utilize Lego Mindstorm Robotics • Team building experience • Interactive activities • Retention booster • Course drop out rates declined from 50% down to 10% • Follow-on programming classes drop out rate very low Eaton & Lupoli

  26. Contact Information Carlotta Eaton Professor of IT & CS New River Community College Dublin, VA 24084 (540) 674-3600 x4250 nreatoc@nr.edu www.nr.edu/eaton Eaton & Lupoli

  27. Contact Information Shawn Lupoli Adjunct Instructor New River Community College & Radford University (540) 831-5797 slupoli@vt.edu Eaton & Lupoli

  28. Q & A Thanks for coming!

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