Curriculum Guides (*discontinued no longer available*)

Fischertechnik Robotics Curriculum Guide by Darlene Atteberry and Jill Van Glubt

About this Guide

This guide was created for instructors who are teaching courses in robotics or for instructors who are incorporating the study of robotics into other courses. The learning activities are designed to make students think about what they are learning while they build computer controlled/robotic devices. The objectives and related activities can be used sequentially or they can be pulled out of order and used in modules.

Most students will benefit from direct instruction and sequenced lessons before they will be able to comfortably experiment with the fischertechnik kits. Older and/or more experienced students may be able to take the activity sheets and work on them independently. Those students who do not know about BASIC programming will need the programming lessons and those who do not know how to wire mechanical devices may need instruction not provided in this guide. Everyone will need to understand the relationships between the computer, the interface and the models. (In schools where there are specialists, the study of robotics lends itself to cooperative teaching and cooperative learning models: Find a teacher who can teach programming skills related to the fischertechnik kit while you teach constructions and problem solving skills. Find an art teacher or an industrial arts instructor who can teach students how to make scale drawings of their devices. Study the history and evolution of computer control and robotics. Write reports, research papers, and science fiction about robots.)

The instructions for building each computer controlled/robotic device are contained in the fischertechnik Programming/Kit-Building Instructions booklet included in the front pocket of the guide. DON'T LOSE THIS BOOKLET! It has illustrations and diagrams plus programming information. A copy of this booklet also comes with each Computing Kit. Each group of students building or wiring a model must have one of these booklets for reference.

The fischertechnik Programming/Kit-Building Instructions booklet contains excellent information. Read it thoroughly before using the curriculum guide. The written information about each model contains many good hints and ideas. It shows pictures of all the building pieces needed for each model and it contains some important information about the models. The Kit-Building booklet has different program listings than the ones on the disks that come with the kits. The program listings in this Curriculum Guide are the same as the ones on the disks. The booklet programs are not included with the kits any longer because fischertechnik enthusiasts have requested changes. The creative teacher or student, however, may find them useful for various purposes. The teacher who wants to use just one set of programs should use the programs in the Curriculum Guide.

The fischertechnik Proaramming/Kit-Building Instructions booklet shows pictures of all the building pieces needed for each model. If the picture has a 3X beside it, it means the piece will be used "three times", so three of these pieces should be included in the set of materials assembled. On the same page as the pictures of the parts, there is a picture of the part of the model built with the parts. Following the assembly pictures is a diagram for the model's circuit layout using the rainbow ribbon cable included in the Computing Kit. This wiring diagram is always presented in the same sequence. If some of the rainbow ribbon cable's wires have nothing attached to them, simply fold those wires together and out of the way.

Rather than written instructions, the construction booklet has pictures for each step of construction and wiring. The pictures about the construction vary in perspective, some from the front, rear and/or side. These pictori~l building instructions are great for students who have difficulty reading. They also appeal to visual learners. Some adults, linear thinkers and/or individuals steeped in tradition often have difficulty with the absence of step-by-step written instructions. However, our experience from classes we have offered to teachers and students is that these pictorial directions actually work very well.

The CHAPTERS in the Curriculum Guide are designed to give students structured lessons and experimental activities to learn the relationships between Fischertechnik programming and constructions.

They contain:
Chapter Objectives
Lessons
Notes to the Instructor
Activities
Database(s)
Program(s)

The OBJECTIVES summarize concepts covered within each chapter. The LESSONS are brief statements of recommended sequences for presenting the concepts wtihin the chapter. The NOTES are designed to highlight special materials or software suggested for the lessons or activities. The ACTIVITIES are student worksheets designed to promote understanding about the concepts being taught. The DATABASES are provided so teachers and students can be accountable for the parts used to construct each robotic device. The PROGRAMS are for students and teachers to study the commands controlling the computer and the device. (NOTE: Programs are printed for Apple and MS-DOS. Be careful to use the correct version for your students!) Reading programs on paper is also easier on the eyes - and laser printed versions are easier to read than dot matrix versions! Please note the DRIVER ROUTINE has been eliminated from each program printout. Since it is the beginning of every device and it takes up another page of print, it was edited. It is printed by itself in Chapter One.

Appendix 1 has the databases and program listings for the Teachable Robot, Graphic Panel, Plotter and Solar Tracker. Each of these devices is designed for very specific tasks. Modifications of the programs could be attempted but it's more probable teachers and students will want to use these robot devices as they are.

Appendix 2 has a list of ideas for further exploration with the computing kit. It also has a parent letter and grading suggestions. We hope teachers and students will send more ideas so we can share them in the next version of the Curriculum Guide.

Appendix 3 contains a template for printing labels on Avery laser printer labels. These are available in most stationery stores. Use them to label boxes, bags or drawers where parts are stored.

Appendix 4 is an answer key.

TABLE OF CONTENTS