Teacher’s Guide
Š 2019 by Robo Technologies GmbH, Vienna, Austria All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Table of Contents: Chapter
Page
1. Robo Wunderkind Robotics Kit Key Information:
2 5
• What’s in the Box: Education Kit, Advanced Kit • How to Get Started
2. Robo Live and Code Apps: What’s on the Screen?
6
3. Robo Live App: How to Control Your Robo
7
4. Robo Code App: How to Program Your Robo
8
5. Robo Wunderkind modules:
6. Lessons with RW Robotics Kit
7. Supporting Materials:
• • • • • • • • • •
Main Block Technical Details: Main Block Connectors: Universal, Wired, Connector Block, Disconnecting Tool LED Display DC Motors Servo Motor Button Distance Sensor Motion Detector Light Sensor
14 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
• • • •
Key Information Curriculum Structure Infographic Suggested Structure for a Lesson with Robo Wunderkind Evaluation: Methods and Tools
26 27 28
• Key Vocabulary for Teachers • Printable Module’s Images (Appendix) • Printable Coding Buttons and Icons (Appendix)
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1
1. What’s in the Box Education Kit
Advanced Kit
Start learning robotics and coding by creating limitless
Upgrade your existing kits, open up your new coding and playing
projects with this special Education kit.
possibilities with more building blocks!
2
1. What’s in the Box: Education Kit Button
Wired Connector DC Motors
Distance Sensor RGB Light
LegoTM Connectors x4
Universal Connectors x6
Small Wheel
Connector Block
Servo Motor
Main Block Big Wheels
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1. What’s in the Box: Advanced Kit
LED Display
LegoTM Connectors x4
RGB Light
Universal Connectors x4
Light Sensor
Motion Detector
Button
Connector Block
Small Wheel
4
1. How to Get Started Device requirements:
Our Apps – free to download:
• An iOS 8 / Android 4.4.2 or newer with Bluetooth 4.0. / Windows version higher than 8.1
•
Robo Code App
•
Robo Live App
First steps: 1
2
3
4
5
Install the Robo Code / Robo Live App on your device;
Turn on the Bluetooth on your device;
Turn on the Main Block: the power indicator will blink blue... wait until you hear the start-up sound;
Open the Robo Code / Robo Live App and connect it to the Main Block;
Open the easy to follow cards about Robo’s modules: build your Robo, control or code it and have fun!
DO:
DON’T:
• Use the included Connectors to attach the modules;
• Use metal or sharp objects to detach the Connectors;
• Use the included Disconnecting Tool to detach the connectors;
• Allow any contact with water;
• Use Apps to control and program the modules;
• Try to disassemble the modules;
• Use LegoTM bricks to customize your Robo.
• Throw or drop the modules; • Rotate DC or Servo motors by hand.
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2. Robo Live and Code Apps: What’s on the Screen? 1
1
2
3
My Robo Screen Find all the information about your Robo here – its name, battery level, firmware update, and the module(s) connected.
2
Robo Workshop Try fun projects from Robo Team.
3
My Projects Here you can see all the projects you create. New Project button: Click it to start a new project.
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3. Robo Live App: How to Control Your Robo 1
Save button
Play / Edit button
2
3
Controls Menu
Controlling Screen
Control interface glossary
1
Controlling screen Screen: Here you will see the Controls added. Controls Menu: See all the Controls available at the moment, drag and drop a Control to the Controlling screen to try it out. Play / Edit button: When you are ready to play, press the Play button and control your Robo; press Edit button to go back to the editing mode. Save button: Click it to return to the project screen; don’t worry, your project will be saved automatically.
2
Control interface glossary: Press the question sign in the bottom left corner of the screen to go to the special glossary and read in details about all the Robo Live App Controls and Buttons. Press the Back button in order to return to the Controlling screen.
3
Edit & Play Mode • When you create a new project, the Controlling screen is empty; • Using only the Main Block, you can already add Sound control(s); simply drag and drop them onto the screen; • When you attach the module to the Main Block, the Control(s) available for this module appears in Controls Menu automatically; • You can delete the Control from the Controlling screen if needed; • When you are ready to play, press the Play button and control your Robo; press Edit button to go back to the editing mode.
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4. Robo Code App: Programming Screen 1
2
Save button
Play button Control interface glossary
Connection button
Trash bin
Action dock
1
Programming screen The unlimited space for your future program. Actions dock: Here you will find all the Actions and Conditions to program. Connection button: Use it to connect the Actions into the code. Trash bin: Use it to delete the Actions or Transitions / Connections. Play button: Try out your program! Stop button: When you run your code, the ‘Play’ button changes to the ‘Stop’ button; you can stop your Robo any time you want. Save button: Click it to return to the project screen; don’t worry, your project will be saved automatically.
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Coding Interface Glossary Press the question sign in the upper left corner of the screen to go to the special glossary and read in details about all the Robo Code App Coding Actions and Buttons. Press the Back button in order to return to the Programming screen.
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4. Robo Code App: Actions and Conditions 1
2 3/3
Conditions
Sounds
Clock
Timer
Counter
Sound
Motion
Light
Button
Obstacle
A A A Visuals
Constant Light
Blink
Movement
Drive
Turn
Specials
Push Notification
Wait
1
LED
Motor
Matrix Text Scrolling
Servo
Actions: Coding icons which look like bubbles and perform an output task. There are 4 types of Actions in the Actions Dock – Sounds, Visuals, Movement and Specials.
2
Conditions: Coding icons which look like pink stickers and have to be placed on the Connection between 2 Actions. Conditions compare two numbers and determines the results to be true or false, and tells if true – Connection/Transition happens or false – nothing happens.
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4. Robo Code App: Programming Logic 1. Program a certain Action: • You can program a certain Action only if the module which corresponds to this Action is assembled to your Robo’s Main Block; when you attach the module you see the push notification about new Actions available to program; • Drag and drop an Action from the Action dock onto the Programming Screen; you can place it anywhere you like; • Action’s settings: Click on it one more time to open the settings; click once again to hide it; not all of the Actions have the setting option.
2. Connect the Actions: • Turn the Connection mode on: Click on the Connection button, the Programming screen will turn green; • Draw the Transition / Connection From the center of one Actions to the centre of another Action; pay attention to the direction of the arrow you draw; • Turn the Connection mode off: Click on the Connection button once again or simply tap the Programming screen, the Programming screen will turn blue again.
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4. Robo Code App: Programming Logic 3. Delete the Action or Connection / Transition: • Trash bin button: Click on it; the Programming screen will turn red; this means that you are in the Delete mode; delete the Action or Connection/Transition you want. Don’t forget to turn the Delete mode off! Or: • Simply drag and drop the Action you want to delete into the Trash bin.
4. Start point: • The green circle around one of the Actions means that the code starts here; • You can move the Start point from Action to Action in order to start your program from different Actions.
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4. Robo Code App: Programming Logic 5. State or Parallel Actions • Drag one Action onto the other and they will combine into one big bubble, or State; the Actions will take place at the same time, parallel to one another; • Note: only 5 different Actions can be put in one State; two actions of the same type (for example, two Sounds) cannot be parallel.
6. Conditions: • Conditions look like pink stickers; you need to place them on the Condition/Transition between 2 Actions; • The Conditions are special clauses; each of them makes the Connection/Transition between Actions happen IF /BECAUSE a certain condition causes it. • You can combine two Conditions as: 1. AND-linked - the Transition to the next State will occur after both Conditions have been true; 2. OR-linked - the Transition to the next State will occur after one of the Conditions has been true. 1
7.
2
Use Play button to try out your program and Stop button to stop it.
• Note: you can not make any changes in your program when it’s running, stop it before making changes in the code!
8.
Save button: Press it to save your project; you will be automatically returned to the Project screen.
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5. Robo Wunderkind Modules Robo Wunderkind modules are different colors: Each expresses a block’s functions and is related to the colors of Actions in the Robo Code App, and the controller in the Robo Live App;makes building, coding, and controlling Robo more intuitive for students.
RW Modules’ Overview:
System + Sound
Main Block
Sensors
Motors
DC Motor
Servo Motor
Visual
RGB LED
LED Display
Functional
Distance Sensor Motion Detector
Connector block
LegoTM Connector
Big Wheel
Wired Connector
Light Sensor
Button
Small Wheel
Universal Connector
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5. Main Block micro USB port
power indicator
speaker outlet
Function:
Robo Code App:
• The “brain” of Robo: contains an embedded computer, battery, and speaker outlet inside; Sounds
3/3
power switch
Conditions
Clock
Timer Counter
main board (embedded computers) battery
Robo Live App:
How to build: • Always start to build your robot with the Main Block in order for all other modules to work;
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5. Main Block: Technical Details The battery life: • Lasts for a total of 3 hours of intensive work; • Best to keep the charging level of the battery at 30% or higher.
Charging: • Plug the micro USB cable into the port at the bottom of the Main Block. The charging sound will be played once you connect the other side of the cable to a power adapter; • Check the charging status in the App.
Rename your Robo: Each Main Block has a name, which is set by default as “Robo.” To connect the Main Block to the Robo Code / Robo Live App, you need to know the name of the particular Main Block. To avoid confusion, we suggest renaming all Main Blocks so that they each have a different name. We advise using numbers / names and special stickers for Main Blocks to put the numbers / names on them.
Firmware update: Connect your Main Block to Robo Live or Robo Code App and follow 3 easy steps to update your Robo. Important: Make sure you have a stable WiFi connection and the Bluetooth is on. For a safe update process, the main block of your Robo must be plugged in. Please note that the battery percentage of your Robo should be no less than 30%, otherwise the update won’t be possible.
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5. Connectors Universal Connectors:
Connector Block:
Function: • To make all the modules work, you need the electricity and the code signals from the Main Block, which passes through the small Pogo-pins on Connectors to modules’ faces.
Pogo-pins
Wired Connector:
Disconnecting Tool:
• To connect modules on a distance or in a special case.
• Use the Disconnecting Tool in order to disconnect the modules safely.
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5. Connectors How to assemble the connectors
1. The connectors need to be assembled properly, with the sides parallel to the modules’ sides;
2. Some of the modules, such as two DC Motors and the Servo Motor, do not have Pogo pins; One side of these modules consists of a rotating part that is made out of plastic, so the electricity doesn’t flow through it;
3. The module that is attached to the moving part of the Motor doesn’t provide electricity, therefore it will not communicate with the Main Block;
4. Use the Wired Connector to connect the module you need to work with the Main Block directly. Can be attached to any active connection face (any block).
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5. RGB Light Function:
Robo Code App:
• Program or control different light signals.
Visuals Constant Light
How to build:
Blink
Robo Live App:
• Attach the RGB Light to any part of Main Block or any other module.
• Light Control
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5. LED Display Function:
Robo Code App:
• Draw on your device in Robo Live App or Robo Code App, LED Display will show your drawing; • It can also display the information from sensors in real time.
A A A Visuals
How to build:
LED
Matrix Text Scrolling
Robo Live App:
• Attach the LED Display to any part of the Main Block or any other module.
• LED Display Control
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5. DC Motors Function:
Robo Code App:
• The DC Motors rotate around themselves, so you can control or program a robot to drive around; • You can control or program each of the DC Motors independently, or both of them in the same time.
Movement Motor
Drive
Turn
x2 How to build: 1. Attach the DC Motor to the Main Block or any other other module by the Universal or Wired Connector with the Pogo-pins in order to work;
Robo Live App: 22. Attach the rotating part of the DC Motor (without Pogo-pins) to the Wheel or a module you want to be rotated.
• Motor Controls x2 • Joystick • Tilt Control
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5. Servo Motor Function:
Robo Code App:
• Servo Motor turns to the exact angle from the zero position; • When you attach the Servo Motor to the other module, you set the zero-position for it. Movement
Ideas how to build: 1.
Attach the Servo Motor to the Main Block or any other module by the Universal Connector with the Pogo-pins in order to work;
Servo
Robo Live App: 22.
If you attach the rotating part of the Servo Motor (without Pogo-pins) to the module, use the Wired Connector in order to make this module work, too.
• Servo Control
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5. Button Function:
Robo Code App:
• Detects, clicks and presses.
Conditions Button
How to build:
Robo Live App:
• Attach the Button to any part of Main Block, or any other module.
• Button Control
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5. Distance Sensor Function:
Robo Code App:
• Distance Sensor detects the distance before an obstacle; • Sound Sensor detects the loudness of the sound. Conditions Obstacle Sound
How to build:
Robo Live App:
• Use the Universal or Wired Connector to attach the Distance Sensor to any other module.
• Distance Sensor Control • Sound Sensor Control
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5. Motion Sensor Function:
Robo Code App:
• Motion Detector senses any movement around it.
Conditions Motion
How to build:
Robo Live App:
• Use the Universal or Wired Connector to attach the Motion Detector to any other module.
• Light Sensor Control
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5. Light Sensor Function:
Robo Code App:
• Light Sensor senses the intensity of light around it.
Conditions Light
How to build:
Robo Live App:
• Use the Universal or Wired Connector to attach the Light Sensor to any other module.
• Light Sensor Control
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6. Lessons with RW Robotics Kit: Key Information Topic: STEAM subjects;
RW robotics kit can be also used as a supporting tool for the other subjects
Student’s age: 6-12
Group size: 8-12 students
Recommended time: 45 – 60 min
Recommended prior knowledge: Students do not need any prior knowledge, as they will learn the basic terminology and the principles of robotics and programming using Robo Wunderkind.
Materials required: • Robo Wunderkind robotic kit(s) • Tablet(s)
Optional materials: • Lego™ bricks • Other materials such as colored paper, cardboard, markers etc • Printed cards with the Robo Wunderkind modules, coding Button, Actions, Conditions from the Robo Code App.
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6. Curriculum Structure Infographic
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6. Suggested Structure for a Lesson with Robo Wunderkind • Objective and Learning Outcomes; • Focus on the particular module(s) and Robo Live or Robo Code App function(s); • Key Vocabulary.
To Plan:
Activity Stages: Lead-in
7 – 10 min
• Activate students: Draw on previous knowledge and personal experiences of children; • Tell the story of Robo to connect to the emotions of the students; • Set each lesson goals: Together with your students, indicate the problem situation and motivate your students to solve it.
Guided Activity
15 – 20 min
• Recall some of the previous knowledge about the Robo Wunderkind robotics kit and the Apps; • Learn by doing: Let students solve different challenges and gather knowledge through cooperative coding and discussions; • Sum up new information before the independent activity. * Modification (optional for advanced students) to make the lesson more challenging: 2 levels of complexity.
Independent Activity
15 – 20 min
Final Reflexion & Feedback
5 – 7 min
Ask your students about the tasks they have solved, the projects they have created, and the attitudes and emotions they experienced during the lesson.
Clean up
1 – 3 min
Teach students to take care of devices they use: Turn the power off on the orange Main Block, take it apart, and put all modules of Robo back into the boxes, lock, and carefully collect all the tablets.
Own project created on the basis of the learned skills. • Set the concrete tasks for the own project; • Independent work: Students work individually / in pairs / in small groups; • Presentation of own projects for the class.
Expected time of each lesson: 45 — 60 min
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7. Key vocabulary for teachers I. Robotics Robot –
A machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically. Robots can be guided by an external control device – such as a remote controller – or they can be pre-programmed to behave autonomously. Robots are created by people to help with many different tasks which may sometimes be too complex, too dangerous, or simply too repetitive to do ourselves.
Robotics –
An interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science utilized in order to deal with the design, construction, operation, and use of robots, as well the control, sensory feedback, and information processing of computer systems.
Engineering –
The process of creating and building technological solutions and products by using math and science. Engineers solve problems with their inventions. There are several branches of engineering.
Electricity –
A type of energy that can build up in one place or flow from one place to another; it is used to make all electrical devices function. Robo Wunderkind modules are powered by a battery inside the Main Block. Power is passed from module to module through the Connectors (Pogo-Pins on them) and Faces on each module.
Wired (Local) Communication –
A type of electrical communication between electronic devices which transfers information over a wire-based communication technology – connectors. In Robo Wunderkind robotics kit there are two types of connectors: Universal Connectors and Wired Connector which transfer the signals – commands from the Main Block to other modules.
Wireless Communication –
The type of communication which transfers information over a distance without the use of “hard wired” connection (like Pogo-pins on the Robo Wunderkind modules). The distances involved may be short (when using a television remote control) or very long (thousands or even millions of kilometers for radio communications). The Robo Code and Robo Live Apps send the information – commands for Robo to perform through wireless communication via Bluetooth.
Bluetooth signals –
Is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances.
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7. Key vocabulary for teachers Computer –
A device for working with information. The information can be numbers, words, pictures, movies, or sounds. Computer information is also called data. Computers can process huge amounts of data very quickly. They also store and display data. People use computers every day: at work, at school, and at home. Computers are used in factories to control how things are made and in offices to keep records, for example. There is a small computer inside the Robo’s Main Block, which sends and receives the signals from the tablet and processes the information so that we can control it. This is why the Main Block always has to be in every project in order for all other modules to work.
Electronic device –
A device that achieves its purpose through electrical means. There is a wide range of electronic devices people use every day such as laptops, mobile phones, cameras, fans, ovens, washing machines, game consoles, printers, radios, and Robo, of course!
Smart device –
An electronic device, generally connected to other devices or networks (via Wireless Communication) and can operate interactively and autonomously to some extent.
Sensor –
A device that receives a physical signal or stimulus – Physical Input (such as sound, pressure or light) and responds to it in a distinctive manner. There are Sound and Distance sensors as well as Button in Robo Wunderkind Education Kit and Motion and Light sensors in Advanced Kit.
Button (Push-button) –
Is a simple switch mechanism for controlling some aspect of a machine or a process. In Robo Wunderkind robotics kit there is a red Button which can be programmed as Button condition in the Robo Code App.
Remote control –
A method for controlling a machine from a distance by using wireless signals, it happens in real time. For example, the remote control for television when you press buttons to change channels.
Digital literacy –
An ability to find, evaluate, compose and create clear information through using various digital platforms. It includes both the practical software skills and critical thinking which helps to stay safe online. Digital literacy is evaluated by an individual’s grammar, composition, typing skills and ability to produce writings, images, audio and designs using technology. In Robo Wunderkind Curriculum the numerous skills related to the digital literacy are covered such as rules for safe use of devices, consuming information through digital media and, most importantly, ability to produce technology through coding.
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7. Key vocabulary for teachers Problem-solving –
Is the act of finding a solution for a problem. The steps for the problem solving are slightly different depending on the discipline and strategy but it always involves defining a problem, identifying, prioritizing and selecting alternatives for a solution, implementing a solution, and reflection on this solution. In Robo Wunderking Curriculum students go through 4 steps in order to solve a problem using Robo Wunderkind robotics kit and Robo Code or Robo Live App: 1) Identify a problem => 2) Plan the solution(s) => 3) Work on the solution: build and program => 4) Reflect
Engineering Design Process –
A series of steps that engineers follow to come up with a solution to a problem. It involves cognitive, strategic and practical processes by which design concepts are developed. In Robo Wunderkind Curriculum students learn about and go through 8 stages of Engineering Design Process in order to create their own Robo-project.
Design –
Is the intentional creation of a plan in order to fashion, execute, or construct a certain object. In Robo Wunderkind Curriculum we approach 3 types of design: 1) Mechanical Design – Robo modules • How to design a robot efficiently, so it performs the set task, doesn’t crash or have accidents? • How to make an efficient build – attach only those modules which you need for your goals? • How do different builds and configurations provide the same or different results? 2) Control Design – Robo Live App • You have all the controls you need – not less; • You have only those controls on the screen which you need (not more); • You organize the Controls on the screen so it’s convenient to use them in the Play modeю 3) Code Design – Robo Code App • Your code consists of all the Actions, States, Connections you need to achieve the project’s goal(s) – not less; • Your code consists of all the Actions, States, Connections you need to achieve the project’s goal(s) – not more; • Your code is clear and easy to read by others.
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7. Key vocabulary for teachers II. Computer Science Algorithm –
Step-by-step solution of one task; each step is a clear instruction. A simple example of an algorithm is a cooking recipe, where you have one by one instruction in order to cook one final dish.
Program code –
A set of instructions which tells a computer what to do; a sequence of short commands, one after another.
Programming language
In order for you to communicate with a computer (and to get it to execute your instructions), you must speak its language. There are a number of different programming languages, some are very complicated while others are similar to spoken English. In the Robo Code App, we use a special visual coding language. These 3 terms (Algorithm, program, programming language) are interconnected. To help students understand them better, we can say that: • When we have one complex task, we can break up it into a set of smaller, individual instructions – create an algorithm; • We can use a programming language to write those instructions in the language computer understands – thus, we create a code.
Robo Wunderkind Visual Based Programming –
A unique and intuitive programming interface designed for young children to build State-Machine Based Programs
State-Machine Based Programming –
A State performs Action(s) and Transition to another State based on events. • State – set of Actions which can consist of one or more Actions; • Connection – tells the possible Transition to other States (it may happen / may not); • Transition – the act of changing from one State to another ( = the act of happening); • Condition – an icon which compares two numbers and determines the results be true or false, and tells if true – Transition happens or false – nothing happens; • Action – an icon which performs an output task; and has different parameters: Lifespan, Speed, Distance etc.
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7. Key vocabulary for teachers Sequential logic –
A sequence of States where one State leads to only one other State until a program is complete.
Loop –
A sequence of States that lead one State to the next that does not terminate the program but the transition back to the starting State (repeats N-times).
Parallel Execution –
The execution of several Actions at the same time within a State.
User Input –
Is is data provided by the user to the device. It can be digital input such as text to display on a screen or it could be physical like a button click by the user or a key board press on a keyboard. In the Robo Live App – using the appropriate Control to control the appropriate module. In the Robo Code App: 1) Software Input • Parameters of Actions such as Action lifespan, brightness, speed, angle or distance; • Connections drawn between Actions; • Conditions and Conditions parameters. 2) Sensor Input – data received from Sensors such as sound level, distance before an obstacle or pressure on the Button.
User Output –
For Robo Wunderkind modules the Outputs would be the answers for the questions: What does the module do? • How are modules different from each other? • How do they work together? • How to combine the modules to achieve the project’s goal(s)?
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