This course introduces the principles of robotics as a subject matter
and as a concrete three-dimensional classroom tool to be used in many
educational environments. Various types of robots are optimized to
illustrate how these educational assistants can impact the learning
environment and problem solving challenges for math, science, language
arts, industrial arts, activities for disabled or special education
students, and events for the gifted and talented. The role of various
competitions is reviewed.
This course progressed quite differently than I'd anticipated and I was
thrilled with every minute of it. I loved this class and am so excited
about working more with students on robotics. The process of starting with
automata and toy dissections and progressing into building and finally
programming (which was actually a small part of the overall class) laid a
substantial platform for understanding the world of robotics. And what an
expansive world that is - it's much bigger and more sophisticated than I
imagined. I was fascinated by the readings on the probable changes in our
world and noted at the time, and since, how many times I see Michio Kaku
(author of the book and topics of lively discussions) on the news, cable
TV programs and the internet. Research and sharing of the variety of
competitions and development of budgets and proposals were valuable
projects. I've since worked with one of our elementary schools to assist
with a summer camp robotics program and plan to coach a fall competition.
