Rev Up Robotics: Real-World Computational Thinking in the K-8 Classroom
Author Jorge Valenzuela lays out the foundational skills of computational thinking required for programming with robotics.

Unlike other robotics books and curriculum, Rev Up Robotics takes a cross-curricular approach, showing educators how to begin incorporating robotics into their content area lessons and in conjunction with other subjects.

You’ll get an overview of standards-based skills that can be covered in English language arts, math, science, social studies and robotics electives. Teachers also get tips for selecting the robot that works for them and for students, and details on the functions of gears, motors and sensors. Also included is a deep dive into more advanced topics like the intersections of computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering with robotics. Finally, you’ll find advice for getting students involved with competitive robotics, and case studies that offer empirical evidence for using robotics successfully in instruction.

The book:
  • Shows how to help students recognize and apply the four elements of computational thinking to familiar situations.
  • Provides a pathway from working with visual blocks to programming in C++.
  • Discusses building and programming robots, with tips for adding your own code and troubleshooting.
  • Demonstrates how to manipulate basic movement to better understand the functions of gears, motors and sensors.

With activities and examples for grade levels K-8, teachers come away with easy-to-implement cross-curricular ideas to engage students in computer science and engineering activities.

Audience: K-8 classroom educators
1136755219
Rev Up Robotics: Real-World Computational Thinking in the K-8 Classroom
Author Jorge Valenzuela lays out the foundational skills of computational thinking required for programming with robotics.

Unlike other robotics books and curriculum, Rev Up Robotics takes a cross-curricular approach, showing educators how to begin incorporating robotics into their content area lessons and in conjunction with other subjects.

You’ll get an overview of standards-based skills that can be covered in English language arts, math, science, social studies and robotics electives. Teachers also get tips for selecting the robot that works for them and for students, and details on the functions of gears, motors and sensors. Also included is a deep dive into more advanced topics like the intersections of computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering with robotics. Finally, you’ll find advice for getting students involved with competitive robotics, and case studies that offer empirical evidence for using robotics successfully in instruction.

The book:
  • Shows how to help students recognize and apply the four elements of computational thinking to familiar situations.
  • Provides a pathway from working with visual blocks to programming in C++.
  • Discusses building and programming robots, with tips for adding your own code and troubleshooting.
  • Demonstrates how to manipulate basic movement to better understand the functions of gears, motors and sensors.

With activities and examples for grade levels K-8, teachers come away with easy-to-implement cross-curricular ideas to engage students in computer science and engineering activities.

Audience: K-8 classroom educators
38.99 In Stock
Rev Up Robotics: Real-World Computational Thinking in the K-8 Classroom

Rev Up Robotics: Real-World Computational Thinking in the K-8 Classroom

by Jorge Valenzuela
Rev Up Robotics: Real-World Computational Thinking in the K-8 Classroom

Rev Up Robotics: Real-World Computational Thinking in the K-8 Classroom

by Jorge Valenzuela

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$38.99 
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Overview

Author Jorge Valenzuela lays out the foundational skills of computational thinking required for programming with robotics.

Unlike other robotics books and curriculum, Rev Up Robotics takes a cross-curricular approach, showing educators how to begin incorporating robotics into their content area lessons and in conjunction with other subjects.

You’ll get an overview of standards-based skills that can be covered in English language arts, math, science, social studies and robotics electives. Teachers also get tips for selecting the robot that works for them and for students, and details on the functions of gears, motors and sensors. Also included is a deep dive into more advanced topics like the intersections of computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering with robotics. Finally, you’ll find advice for getting students involved with competitive robotics, and case studies that offer empirical evidence for using robotics successfully in instruction.

The book:
  • Shows how to help students recognize and apply the four elements of computational thinking to familiar situations.
  • Provides a pathway from working with visual blocks to programming in C++.
  • Discusses building and programming robots, with tips for adding your own code and troubleshooting.
  • Demonstrates how to manipulate basic movement to better understand the functions of gears, motors and sensors.

With activities and examples for grade levels K-8, teachers come away with easy-to-implement cross-curricular ideas to engage students in computer science and engineering activities.

Audience: K-8 classroom educators

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781564848178
Publisher: International Society for Technology in Education
Publication date: 02/03/2020
Series: Computational Thinking and Coding in the Curriculum
Pages: 184
Product dimensions: 7.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jorge Valenzuela is both a graduate teaching assistant and doctoral student at Old Dominion University, and the lead coach at Lifelong Learning Defined. Additionally, he’s a national faculty member for the Buck Institute for Education and a national teacher effectiveness coach for the Engineering by Design curriculum. His work helps educators and learners understand and implement computational thinking, computer science, STEM/STEAM and project-based learning. Valenzuela is a recipient of ISTE’s Computer Science Excellence Award and ISTE’s STEM Excellence Award. He also earned the Lynn Barrier Engineering Leadership Award for his contributions to STEM education in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Introduction 1

My Computer Science Story 1

Computer Science Becomes Relevant in Schools 2

The Inspiration for This Book 3

Who is This Book for? 4

How to Navigate and Use This Book 6

Part 1 Planning and Building Student Capacity for Robotics

1 Robotics: Introduction and Applications 10

Examples of Robots and Their Use 11

Robotics in Schools and Teaching with Robotics 13

Planning Steps and Considerations 15

2 Planning for Robotics: Set Yourself up for Success 15

Do Not Go at the Learning Alone-Join a PLN! 19

Access to Edtech, Advocacy, Grants, and Equity 19

3 Teaching Foundational Knowledge and Skills for Robotics 23

Learning Robotics is a Journey, Not a Mad Dash 25

4 Robotics and Computational Thinking 28

How CT Differs from CS 30

ISTE Computational Thinking Competencies 32

Start Teaching Computational Thinking with Unplugged Lessons 36

Lesson Computational Thinking 37

5 Robotics and Programming Demystified 45

Robotics Demystified in Four Steps 45

Programming Demystified in Four Steps 49

Part 2 Robotics in the Content Areas

6 Evidence for Robotics in the Classroom 58

Empirical Evidence for Educational Robotics in the Classroom 58

Robotics in the Classroom-Teacher Examples 60

7 Robotics in ELA 64

Robotics an Entry to 21st Century Learning in ELA 65

Pick the Right Tool for Your ELA Classroom 69

Introduction to Cue by Wonder Workshop 71

Wonder Workshop 71

8 Robotics in Mathematics 80

Elementary: Using Robots to Make Algebraic and Geometric Connections and Develop Habits of Mind 82

Middle School: Ratios and Proportional Relationships 84

Pick the Right Tool for Your Math Classroom 86

Lesson Time, Speed and Distance Get Sphero to the Bank 88

9 Science in Schools 93

Robotics in Science 94

Early Elementary: Using Robotics to Do Science 98

Grades 4-8: Using Robotics to Teach Physics 98

How Mathematics and Computational Thinking are Applied in Science 100

Pick the Right Tool for Your Science Classroom 103

Lesson LEGO Object Detection 104

10 Robotics in Social Studies 114

Creating Alignment between Social Studies with the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards 115

Unpacking the Thematic Strands for Social Studies 115

Pick the Right Tool for Your Social Studies Classroom 118

Lesson KIBO Robotics and Floor Maps-Our Community, Our World and The Historical Journey (or The Travels of Marco KIBO) 121

Part 3 Strategies and Approaches for Teaching Robotics and Computational Thinking

11 Robotics, Constructivist Learning, and Infusing the Learning Sciences 128

Using Constructivism to Teach CS 129

12 Project Based Learning (PBL) and Robotics 134

Why Project Based Learning (PBL) and What is it? 135

Frameworks and Model of Excellence 135

The Computational Thinkers Project 138

13 Robotics Outside of School 148

Getting Started 148

Have a Vision for Your Intended Outcomes 150

Conclusion 152

Appendix A Resources 153

Professional Development in Pedagogy 153

Professional Development in Computer Science and STEM 154

Publications 155

How-to Blogs 156

Podcasts 156

Appendix B ISTE Standards for Students 158

References 162

Index 165

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