Week 2- Ozobots

This week I looked at Ozobots and how they can be used with the group of kindergartners I teach. These robots are small devices that help students learn coding. The mission of the founders is to prepare kids for a future where they'll collaborate with robots everyday. The robots connect physical play with digital technology. Students use different color markers to draw paths the Ozobot follows. If the line is black it will follow it at a smooth rate. When students add pre-determined colors in a certain order the Ozobot responded and changes its pattern or direction.

My students have really enjoyed exploring with these robots and seeing how they can control their movements. The group I work with has really enjoyed STEM activities so I thought these would be a lot of fun. I have just begun to explore the true potential of Ozobots with my students.

The use of technology including Ozobots allows students to experience technology in a way they may not be familiar with. While this is a fantastic program it has a shockingly high price tag. A classroom set is around $1,800. This may be a barrier to many classes exposing students to robot technology. Ozobots can also be used with iPads.


Link to youtube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5d4iXGbIGs

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 29, 2018 at 6:05 PM

    I think it's great to get kids started with this kind of technology and problem solving so young. Like Amanda said though, I would think at first it would be a complicated concept for young kids to understand at first. The video was really helpful to see how the kids would do what you described. Have you found ways to possibly make this cross-curricular?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 31, 2018 at 6:15 AM

    I like that you are already introducing coding so young! Any student who can graduate high school with that kind of skill will be ahead of their peers. How were you able to get it into your classroom with such a high price tag?

    ReplyDelete
  3. NorskiJanuary 31, 2018 at 4:12 PM

    Wow! I was wondering how much they were as I was reading them. That is a steep price tag. I have gotten a few sets of -Lego WeDo 2.0. They are really cool. I will have to do a blogpost about those. I like how you mentioned the fact that students will be interacting a lot more with robots as they get older. I sometimes forget that fact but it is true.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erika ApathyFebruary 1, 2018 at 12:57 PM

      I work for an after school program so they have a larger budget for more expensive pieces of technology.

      Delete
  4. Dr. FFebruary 3, 2018 at 10:06 AM

    These sound like a great educational tool for teaching, especially precision and algorithms. But I have to agree the price is steep. Nice entry.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownFebruary 18, 2018 at 9:19 PM

    Erika - this sounds so cool. I would bet unless it is a private school, the price must be prohibitive. It is a great way for students to begin a life long process of being computer literate! Did your school pay for this? Thanks, Tracy

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2018 at 6:18 PM

    I have never heard of Ozobots. The price tag is the biggest set back, but if I was independently wealthy, I'd be all over buying them! I love to teach students coding and they love it too! I also like that they can be used with an iPad since all the younger grades at my school have them. I am also curious if your school purchased them.

    ReplyDelete

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