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Introducing: The Finch. Workshop Outline. The Story of the Finch Finch Hardware Software and Assignments Time to Program!. The CSbots Program. Using robots as tools in CS Education Retention Learning Modular approach to curriculum NSF CCLI program. Design: Information Sources. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Introducing: The Finch
Workshop Outline
• The Story of the Finch
• Finch Hardware
• Software and Assignments
• Time to Program!
The CSbots Program• Using robots as
tools in CS Education– Retention– Learning
• Modular approach to curriculum
• NSF CCLI program3
Design: Information Sources• Previous studies
• Instructor and Textbook Surveys
• Participatory design with educators– Community Colleges– High schools
Design: Identifying Constraints• Individual ownership and home use
– Low-cost– Portable– Robust– Support multiple platforms
• Aesthetically appealing• Richly interactive• Should “Just work”• Minimal changes to existing courses
Low-cost Personal Robot
$99
Sensors and Outputs
Robustness
Satisfying Constraints• Individual ownership
and home use– Low-cost– Portable– Robust– Support multiple
platforms• Aesthetically appealing• Richly interactive• Should “Just work”
• USB Tether• Multiple
sensors/outputs• Plastic shell with input
from students
That last constraint…• Minimal changes to existing courses
• Assignments are aligned to traditional concepts
• Tethering, portability, multi-platform support
• Support as many languages as possible
ProgrammingGrades 3-6• CREATE Lab Visual Programmer, Finch
Dreams (based on Alice 2.2), Snap! (based on Scratch)
Grades 7-9• Finch Dreams, Python, Processing, Snap! Grades 10+• Java, Javascript, Greenfoot, Python,
Processing, Scala, C++, Matlab, Visual Basic, Snap!
More languages are coming!
www.finchrobot.com
• Multi-purpose site
• Assignments
• Software
• Documentation/Forums
Finch Uses in the Classroom
• Use it to enhance regular assignments• Extra challenge for gifted/bored students• Advertising to next year’s class
– Display student projects– Demo to visiting 8th graders
• Use it to provide high school students tutoring opportunities to younger students
Time to Program
• First step: Make it move and talk in Jython.
• Next steps:– Make Finch Dance– Make a Finch alarm clock
• After Lunch:– Snap! with Finch
Wrap-up: Teasers
• Snap!
• Finch wireless backpack (Freebird)
• Hummingbird
Snap! (formerly BYOB)
• In-browser javascript-based drag and drop programming environment
• Adds making your own blocks and recursion to Scratch
• Works with Finch!
• Live Demo
Wireless backpack
• Will work on existing Finches• Will work with existing software• Android too!• Adds ports for distance sensors,
prototyping, and encoders• Anticipated Cost: $99 for backpack, $35
for rangefinders, $35 for encoders.• Live Demo
Hummingbird Robotics Kit
• Kit with a robot controller, LEDs, sensors, and motors
• Make robots out of arts and crafts materials
• Aimed at ages 11+ (13 w/o supervision)• No technical/programming experience
required• $199
www.hummingbirdkit.com
The End!
• Buy (another) Finch today!