Pedagogial Robotics

Educational robotics can be defined as a teaching method of using a microcontroller (the brain of a robot), effectors (motors or lights) and sensors to create a learning environment. Students are required to use computers to program their robots and animated in order to solve a problem situation.

There are different approaches when it comes to teaching methods using a robot:

1. The bezel cognitive approach (1989 Nonnon 2) This form of learning involves a robotic testing system (Computer Assisted ExAO). This system provides data from an experiment using sensors and produce real-time graphical representation of the experimental data. 
2. The microworld approach (Papert 1981 3): The basis for this form of educational robotics is software that creates an environment for student learning. In this environment, or microworld, the student develops independently creating robots.

The form of the robot can be either a two-dimensional image on the screen of the computer, a three-dimensional robot that will evolve on the ground. This will depend on the choice of the system. When creating the robot, the students meet the challenges, targeted by the teacher, which enable it to acquire new knowledge or develop skills.

Thus, in this approach, there are usually three main steps shown in the following figure, is the construction phase, programming step and, ultimately, the completion period.

In the technological approach, the systems used are generally small representations, as closely as possible, robots used in industry. The aim is to bring the learner to acquire skills in managing robots using specialized computer languages. This approach is mainly used in technical training.

It's all LEGO ® MINDSTORMS ® NXT, which until now has been the most explored and most used in the classroom. It seems to offer almost unlimited possibilities in the development of learning situations and Evaluation (SAE). For example, robots designed by students can be of any shape, the vehicle lifts, to dentures and biomechanical automated greenhouses.

Didac-tic specializes particularly in the use of LEGO ® in the microworld approach and also in the cognitive approach to the telescope.

1    VIVERT, Martial (1997). Utilisation de la méthode pédagogique ATRIUM, Actes du cinquième colloque international sur la robotique pédagogique, Université de Montréal.
2    NONNON, Pierre (1989) . Conférence de clôture : Bilan et perspectives, Actes du premier congrès francophone de robotique pédagogique (p. 195-198), Le Mans.
3    PAPERT, Seymour (1981). Jaillissement de l’esprit : Ordinateurs et apprentissage, Paris, Éditions Flammarion, 298 p.