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Introducing: The Finch

Introducing: The Finch. Workshop Outline. The Story of the Finch Finch Hardware Software and Assignments Time to Program!. The CSbots Program. Using robots as tools in CS Education Retention Learning Modular approach to curriculum NSF CCLI program. Design: Information Sources.

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Introducing: The Finch

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  1. Introducing: The Finch

  2. Workshop Outline • The Story of the Finch • Finch Hardware • Software and Assignments • Time to Program!

  3. The CSbots Program • Using robots as tools in CS Education • Retention • Learning • Modular approach to curriculum • NSF CCLI program

  4. Design: Information Sources • Previous studies • Instructor and Textbook Surveys • Participatory design with educators • Community Colleges • High schools

  5. Design: Identifying Constraints • Individual ownership and home use • Low-cost • Portable • Robust • Support multiple platforms • Aesthetically appealing • Richly interactive • Should “Just work” • Minimal changes to existing courses

  6. Low-cost Personal Robot $99

  7. Sensors and Outputs

  8. Robustness

  9. Satisfying Constraints • Individual ownership and home use • Low-cost • Portable • Robust • Support multiple platforms • Aesthetically appealing • Richly interactive • Should “Just work” • USB Tether • Multiple sensors/outputs • Plastic shell with input from students

  10. That last constraint… Minimal changes to existing courses Assignments are aligned to traditional concepts Tethering, portability, multi-platform support Support as many languages as possible

  11. Programming Grades 3-6 • CREATE Lab Visual Programmer, Finch Dreams (based on Alice 2.2), Snap! (based on Scratch) Grades 7-9 • Finch Dreams, Python, Processing, Snap! Grades 10+ • Java, Javascript, Greenfoot, Python, Processing, Scala, C++, Matlab, Visual Basic, Snap!  More languages are coming!

  12. www.finchrobot.com • Multi-purpose site • Assignments • Software • Documentation/Forums

  13. Finch Uses in the Classroom • Use it to enhance regular assignments • Extra challenge for gifted/bored students • Advertising to next year’s class • Display student projects • Demo to visiting 8th graders • Use it to provide high school students tutoring opportunities to younger students

  14. Time to Program • First step: Make it move and talk in Jython. • Next steps: • Make Finch Dance • Make a Finch alarm clock • After Lunch: • Snap! with Finch

  15. Wrap-up: Teasers • Snap! • Finch wireless backpack (Freebird) • Hummingbird

  16. Snap! (formerly BYOB) • In-browser javascript-based drag and drop programming environment • Adds making your own blocks and recursion to Scratch • Works with Finch! • Live Demo

  17. Wireless backpack • Will work on existing Finches • Will work with existing software • Android too! • Adds ports for distance sensors, prototyping, and encoders • Anticipated Cost: $99 for backpack, $35 for rangefinders, $35 for encoders. • Live Demo

  18. Hummingbird Robotics Kit • Kit with a robot controller, LEDs, sensors, and motors • Make robots out of arts and crafts materials • Aimed at ages 11+ (13 w/o supervision) • No technical/programming experience required • $199

  19. www.hummingbirdkit.com

  20. The End! • Buy (another) Finch today!

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