ALEX Learning Activity

Students will learn to write simple code for robots to read. Students will use blue, black, red, and green markers to write their names on a blank sheet of paper. Students will use robots to trace their written names. Students will experiment with writing their names in various colors, noting how different color combinations prompt the robot to move differently.

This learning activity was created as a result of the ALEX - Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) Resource Development Summit.

Students will collaborate with others to identify the elements of a simple computer program.

1. The teacher should read the article from EBSCO called “Robot.”

   • Go to AVL: https://www.avl.lib.al.us/
   • Choose "Elementary School"
   • Select: Explora for Elementary Schools (EBSCO)
   • Search "robot."

     • The article "Robot." should appear. 

     • Published in: Salem Press Primary Encyclopedia, 2023, Topic Overviews K-5

     • By: Jordan, Lucinda

2. The teacher should lead a discussion focusing on the portion of the article entitled “How Robots Work.” This section of the article discussed how Robots use sensors to collect information. 
3. The teacher will provide the definition of a sensor: a device that detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it.
4. Introduce students to robots. Talk to students about how the robots have sensors that read color. (The best option for this activity is a smart robot that can follow lines or roam around freely, detect colors, and can be programmed using visual codes.)
5. Instruct students to write their names largely on the blank white sheet of paper, using whatever color markers they choose. All letters must link together and be neatly written.
6. Students will take turns letting the robot read the “code” of their name. 
7. The teacher will prompt students to re-write their names using a combination of colors to see how the robot acts differently when different color combinations are used. 

   • The teacher will say: Different colors tell the robot's sensors to perform different tasks. 

8. Instruct students to partner with a friend and prompt them with the following questions:

   • How does your neighbor's robot react differently than your own?
   • What similarities do you notice?
   • What does each color/pattern of colors make the robot do?

See Example: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MjBvEyxCpPs3SEDbQR3qc17jCTBR98xD54uM-MskO2k/edit?usp=sharing 

The teacher will observe students working with the robots/robot simulator to determine if students were able to work together to construct an accurate code for the robot to follow.

Check for understanding with questioning, classroom discussion, and teacher observation.

Questions the teacher can ask:

• Did the robot successfully read your code?
• How did the robot respond when you used different color combinations?
• How did the robot know what to do?

Approximate Duration: 30-45 Minutes

Materials and Resources:

• The teacher will need programmable robots. You do not have to have a class set. Students can share the robots. Four students could share one robot. (See note on how you can borrow Ozobots from ATiM.)
• Make sure robots are charged and ready for the activity.
• The teacher needs an internet-capable device, projector, and whiteboard to display the activity.
• Students will need multiple sheets of blank white paper.
• You will need Black, Blue, Red, and Green markers (You do not have to have a special brand. Any washable markers work fine.)
• You may also provide students with a handout of color codes they can try to incorporate into their names. (Color Codes Chart if Ozobots are used: https://files.ozobot.com/stem-education/ozobot-color-codes.pdf)

Background / Preparation:

• The teacher will need to be familiar with the selected programmable robots. Be familiar with how the various robot color codes make the robot respond in different ways. Practice writing your own name and linking the letters together, so you will have a better understanding of what the students’ work will need to look like. (Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbOEWiPyZH8)
• Students will need basic training on the selected programmable robots before this activity. Students need to know how to turn them on, calibrate them, etc. 

Note: If you or your school does not have Ozobots, Alabama Technology in Motion (ATiM) Specialists have Ozobots you can borrow. Reach out to your regional ATiM Specialist for access to Ozobots. https://sites.google.com/atim.us/atim/home 

Acceleration:

Provide advanced students with a list of color codes or other programs that make the robot do special tasks (Suh as this example: https://files.ozobot.com/stem-education/ozobot-color-codes.pdf). Select four special tasks from this list for advanced 1st graders. 

Intervention:

Students may need to be assisted when writing their names. If they have poor handwriting, the robot may not be able to read the “code.” Students may simply use their initials for this activity. You can draw a circle around the student’s name to show the student how the robot is able to read the code when it is written legibly.

This task can be used as a stand-alone activity or in conjunction with Coding the Perfect Name (before activity) and Did You Code the Perfect Name? (after activity).