Programmimg using robots
Watch a teaching assistant principal promote independent learning in a primary school robotics class. The learning outcome is articulated to stimulate students’ engagement.
Resource information
A teaching assistant principal promotes independent learning in a primary school robotics class. The learning outcome is articulated to stimulate students’ engagement. The students are required to program, test and then re-program robots to meet the learning intention. The lesson challenge draws on their prior knowledge and is further connected to real world scenarios to deepen the learning. The lesson concludes with a discussion about possible future learning.
Located along the North West Coast of Tasmania in the township of Wynyard, Table Cape Primary caters to students from Kindergarten to Grade 6. Science, along with robotics, is taught by a specialist teacher to all students during the week, working alongside the teacher’s classroom program. During science sessions students have access to a broad range of opportunities in and outside the classroom, including individualised inquiry-based projects drawing on the local community. All students from Grades 1 to 6 participate in building and programming challenges using Lego NXT Mindstorms. Students in their Foundation year develop programming and problem-solving skills through Lego WeDo. At Table Cape Primary, all teachers work collaboratively to ensure a whole-school approach to STEM education that develops positive outcomes for students.
Discussion questions:
- What are the benefits of highlighting explicit learning intentions?
- What strategies do you use to develop students' critical thinking skills?
- How do you provide useful feedback to students through the course of a lesson?
