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APPLYING MIXED REALITY & SPHERO ROBOTS TO TEACH STEM CONCEPTS
ABOUT THIS TALK
In this paper we present the application of Mixed Reality Environments (MRE) in conjunction with Sphero; a commercial off the shelf robotics platform.
The result is basis for a framework for educational robotics that is:
Affordable for use in both a personal and mainstream educational context.
Robust and safe enough to facilitate this task.
One which is extendable for use across a variety of curriculum subjects.
One which is extendable for use across a variety of skillsets.
THAT’S HEARSAY!
THE SPRK PROGRAM
The SPRK (Schools Parents Robotics Kids) program is a curriculum developed by the makers of Sphero to teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) based concepts to children (8-13).
At the heart of SPRK is the ethos that play is a powerful teacher.
We aim to expand this thinking further by allowing for learning to take place within fun games based MRE that not only foster learning, but also creative problem-solving, teamwork and social interaction.
THE SPRK PROGRAM
WHAT IS A SPHERO?
Sphero is a robotic ball that can be controlled by Bluetooth enabled mobile technologies.
It can be instructed to roll at a given speed and direction for a given amount of time.
Sphero also provides feedback in the form of variable colour illumination.
The robot is unique in that not only can it perform as a controllable robot, it can also be used as a controller.
The features of Sphero make it a perfect fit for STEM education as it allows for the direct mapping of core curriculum concepts such as compound measures; through to more advanced topics like applied geometry and computer programing.
OUR PROPOSED FRAMEWORK
Our proposed framework expands upon Sphero’s and SPRK’s existing feature set by facilitating use of the sensors and technologies afforded by the mobile device used to control the robot.
The result of which is a self-contained system with advanced methods for interaction and feedback that rival, and in some instances surpass those of more expensive robots.
This in turn also allows for a more comprehensive level of curriculum coverage.
E.g. social competence skills!
TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS
The enhancements we have currently developed which are afforded by mobile technology include:
Audio recognition
Object recognition
Symbol recognition
Text and speech recognition (Inc AI)
Inertial sensor based input and navigation
The real-time display of performance metrics.
A LOOK AT SPRK PROGRAMING
PROGRAMING WITH SPRK
THE COMPLEXITY
QUESTION!
TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS
The enhancements we have currently developed which are afforded by mobile technology include:
Audio recognition
Object recognition
Symbol recognition
Text and speech recognition (Inc AI)
Inertial sensor based input and navigation
The real-time display of performance metrics.
SYMBOL RECOGNITION
OBJECT RECOGNITION
A TYPICAL LESSON
In a typical lesson, students will work in small groups to play out an educational game/scenario. In order to complete each lesson they are required, but not exclusively to:
Use Sphero to input commands to manipulate the MRE.
Write computer programs that control how the Sphero rolls and appears.
Input commands that control how the Sphero rolls and appears.
Each learning game/scenario takes place in a specially designed table top gaming space, the arena.
THE GAMEPLAY ARENA
The arena facilitates two primary roles:
Foremost it allows for physical objects to be scanned and placed so that they can become elements of the MRE.
This allows for real-world objects to become both physical and augmented
features with which the Sphero can interact, in both physical and virtual space.
Secondly the arena also provides visible metrics that a student can use to solve a task.
CHROMECAST DEMOS A FEW LIVE DEMOS IF THE TECHNOLOGY AND TIME ALLOWS – IF NOT COME AND FIND ME AFTER THE TALK!
Dr Steven Battersby [email protected]
Prof David Brown
Images & Sources www.sphero.com www.google.com
www.developer.vuforia.com www.dyadic.co.uk
Research undertaken as part of EDUROB http://edurob.eu/
