Reviews

Review: LEGO WeDo

LEGO WeDo, Programs, Reviews

Robot Basics:

  • What is it?  Lego Wedo uses Lego bricks, electronic elements, and computer programming to teach simple robotics
  • What’s in the Box?  as noted on the Lego Education website: the set contains more than 150 elements, including a motor, motion and tilt sensors, and the LEGO USB Hub. 
  • How Much?  $129.95
  • Age Range?  ages 7  and up   It’s more than building a lego, it’s also programming the robot
  • How Did We Acquire it?  ILEAD USA grant

    Ideas for Use

One of the options for the Wedo is to buy software and program guides ($89.95US). These give ideas on various projects and programming.

Time Involved

As long as it takes to put Legos together and programming the robot.

One-time or Recurring Program

Recurring.  Because it Lego, the skies the limit with things that can be made. The software provides a chance to learn how the different motors and sensors.

Extension Activities

The program guide includes information about the various projects and includes a tutorial on motors and sensors. I wish I had looked at it.

Skills You Need

Lego mad skills are important.  Understanding the sensors and how they work in relation to the lego structure you’re building.

Other Tools You Need

  • Good Stuff  I personally don’t have mad Lego skills, but the kids I worked with did.  No problems there.
  • Frustrations — There are a few:
  • You need a computer for every structure.  We only had one and had to take turns.  The kicking foot could try and make a goal, but the goalie couldn’t defend himself at the same time.  We’ll need more computers to make this work.  Lego Wedo seems to work with Chromebook… I used a MacPro.
    • Before I had my program, I made two different robots. I knew how to program those two robots rather successfully.  But during the test kitchen, we had problems with the robots the testers made. The alligator didn’t snap.  The monkey played the drum though, so that was great.
  • Ending Thoughts/Observations This is good stuff.  I would get the software, if only to for the person handling the program.  Understanding how the various elements work will help working with kids.  Having computers for each person is almost a must. With computers for each robot, the sky really is the limit. Limited by imagination.
  • Overall Rating:  If you are already doing a Lego program in your library, you should be looking at Wedo.

Review: Sphero

Programs, Reviews, Sphero

Robot Basics: Sphero 2.0

What is it? (from the website)

Control Sphero from your smartphone or tablet, change colors, complete challenges, earn tricks, and more. Sphero is waterproof, pet-proof, and ready to roll.

Download free SPRK lessons and learn the basics of programming. Then unleash Sphero’s inner robot and program like a pro. The more you play, the smarter you get.
  • What’s in the Box?

One Sphero 2.0 ball with base, 2 inclines, and ball holder.

  • How Much?

129.99 (the app is free)

  • Age Range?

Grades 1 and up.  I did the program with Middle School kids.

  • How Did We Acquire it?

We purchased it using the ILEAD USA grant money.

Ideas for Use

Bring it out in the Library to whirl around. It will certainly get the kids’ attention.  All ages were interested in playing with it while I was on the reference desk.  The older kids liked to build obstacle courses for the Sphero and try to achieve some of the tricks by leveling up.

Time Involved

You need to download the app for your iPad before you begin.  Play around with it a little bit before giving it to kids.  It can be touchy, so you want to get a handle on the speed.

One-time or Recurring Program

We did a one-time program, however I could see it being used for another program focused only on Sphero.  The kids play together nicely with it, giving each other turns, creating obstacle courses and instructing each other on how to use the toy.

Extension Activities

According to the website and the Sphero packaging, you can use this product with video games and lots of other apps.  We did not go that far into programming with Sphero.

Skills You Need

You should know how to work an iPad and how to download apps. Other than that, it’s pretty easy to use.

Other Tools You Need

You’ll need the Sphero apps. There are over 30 apps available for the Sphero.

Good Stuff

This is easy enough for the kids to figure out.  They were thrilled at all the different capabilities of the Sphero.  They loved running the Sphero into their friends.

Frustrations

We didn’t have enough for anyone, and the kids were disappointed about that.

Ending Thoughts/Observations

I’d like to work with Sphero 2.0 more to see what other games and activities we could do with it.  The basics were entertaining and I can only imagine how much more fun there is to have with the other Sphero apps and games.

Overall Rating:

This is a good investment.  I would buy more.

Review: Bee-Bot

Bee-Bot, Programs, Reviews

beebotRobot Basics

  • What is it?

From the user guide, “Bee-Bot is an award-winning programmable floor robot with a simple, child-friendly layout which is a perfect starting point for teaching control, directional language and programming to young children.”

  • What’s in the Box?

The Bee-Bot includes, the Bee-but, a USB charging cable, a set of command cards, and user guide.

  • How Much?

Bee-Bot sells for $89.95 and has a variety of accessories you can purchase. There are also classroom sets. Visit http://www.bee-bot.us/ for more information.

  • Age Range?

Toddler and up.

  • How Did We Acquire it?

ILEAD Grant funds.

Ideas for Use

Bee-bot is very accessible for younger kids. The robot is incredibly child friendly and also very approachable. We used it along with Tiggly Shapes for a Toddler Try-It session, which is for kids between 2 and 3 years old. I can see using this little guy in a variety of ways. You could build a storytime like program around some coding concepts like sequencing, loop, and if/then that includes Bee-Bot. I also think if you have a play space in your library you could have Bee-Bot available for general use. Or if your library circulates kits at all, Bee-Bot would be an excellent addition.

Time Involved

Bee-bot was easy. Everything you need comes with it. I didn’t use the cards at all. But if you wanted to create more elaborate programs, you might spend some time organizing the cards. Otherwise, I can’t see spending a ton of time needing to prep Bee-Bot.

One-time or Recurring Program

I think you could do either. I plan on using Bee-Bot sporadically throughout the year.

Skills Needed

Can you push buttons? Then you are good to go.

Good Stuff

Bee-Bot was awesome. The kids loved him. I made sure that every child who wanted to give Bee-Bot a whirl had a chance. They were really amazed that they had the ability to “touch” a robot and could even tell him what to do. I completely let the kids decide how they wanted the Bee-Bot to move. I did have to tell them what the different symbols meant. I often was saying, “press a few orange buttons, then press the green one so we can see what he will do.” I’m not sure they understood the concept of directionality yet, but they certainly got the if/then concept. They very much recognized that if they pressed the orange button and then the green one, the robot would react.

Frustrations

I’m not sure I get the cards. I can see how they would be helpful in a classroom setting and for older kids. But they really were not needed for my age group.

Ending Thoughts/Observations

This was a fun way to learn. I really like when kids can do things hands on. I myself am a hands-on learner, so I completely get the need. I am working on creating more ways for kids to experience tactile learning during library programs, and Bee-Bot really is a great little tool. I’m excited to use it more and share it with coworkers. I loved Bee-Bot! When you often work with the younger set it is sometimes challenging to think of ways to build programs around coding concepts, it does not always feel like you have the resources you need. Bee-bot is a wonderful tool and incredibly approachable for those who are not sure where to start.

Overall Rating

Super awesome!