HIT THE BRICKS: Programmable building systems can transform a class - from kindergarten to graduate robotics

摘要

The piece of technology that has most changed my classes is the LEGO programmable brick. Originally inspired by Seymour Papert and Mitchel Resnick at the MIT Media Lab, the idea of bringing together the physical (LEGO brick) and virtual (computer code) building systems has had a transformational effect in the classroom. LEGO has developed a number of these smart bricks (RCX, CyberMaster, Scout, Micro Scout, CodePilot, Spybotics, NXT, EV3, WeDo, and recently the WeDo 2) and a large assortment of sensors and actuators to enable students of all ages to design and quickly test their different ideas. Further, a number of other companies have developed "LEGO-compatible" sensors and actuators. From robotic zoos to Rubik's Cube solvers to automatic fish feeders, the combination of the LEGO building system and an intelligent brick has allowed everyone from 3-year-olds to graduate students to learn engineering skills. LEGO is not the only company to make smart building systems; VEX, TET- RIX, Fischertechnik, K'nex, and others have exciting systems as well. And then of course the Arduino network (including sensor kits like Grove) coupled with Open Beam, 80/20, or another building system, has introduced millions of students to engineering.