Overview of Basic Training

Overview of Basic Training

My approach to introducing Robotics and Coding in the classroom is to use a real-world robotics application mixed with the feeling of a competitive game.  This approach is captivating for students as it generates excitement and interest, encouraging student participation.

Students watch a gaming video I created about a plane crashing in a dense jungle.  The plane is carrying a high value package.  Students then design and build a robot to retrieve the package (obstacle course).  To achieve the end goal, students first need to undertake ‘Basic Training.’  Each training mission increases with difficulty until the final test, which incorporates all prior skills.  

I developed the Basic Training resources to be a highly motivating way to guide students learning to code.  To ensure all student ability levels are catering for, the self-paced missions are differentiated into regular and advanced levels.  Furthermore, each team is assigned a marking partner to check missions are being achieved.  This is invaluable as students turn into mentors, reaffirming what they have learnt.  It also allows the teacher to provide extra support and extend student knowledge.

Setup

  1. Watch the Basic Training video in the next lesson.
  2. Students form teams of 2-3.
  3. Build your robot to complete the missions. You can use one of the designs from earlier lessons (SunnyCoaster or Sandman).
  4. Assign a marking partner group to each team. This is where a member from another team views the mission being completing and ‘signs’ them off. This is an invaluable part as it frees up the teacher to help or extend other students!
  5. Students complete the missions choosing either regular or advanced level or both.
  6. Basic Training Test– Students use what they have learnt to complete this mission. The teacher should check this one as it gives you a clear understanding of how students have progressed and their ability.
  7. Students are now ready to try and secure the COVID vaccines from the chemical spill (next lesson section)!

What is included in this section?

  1. 20 Missions, increasing with difficulty (regular and advanced level).
  2. The Basic Training Test. It gives teachers a quick and easy way to check student ability.
  3. Coding hints to help the student work out what they need to do to solve each mission.
  4. Video examples of what to do and what it is suppose to look like!