Gura - Getting started with LEGO robotics: a guide for K-12 educators

Getting Started with LEGO Robotics

A Guide for K12 Educators

Mark Gura

2011 International Society for Technology in Education

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gura, Mark.
Getting started with LEGO robotics: a guide for K12 educators / Mark Gura. 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-56484-298-5 (pbk.)
1. Educational technology. 2. RoboticsStudy and teaching. 3. RobotsDesign and construction. 4. Lego toys. I. International Society for Technology in Education. II. Title.
LB1028.3.G85 2011
371.33dc22
2011010744

First Edition
ISBN: 9781564842985
Printed in the United States of America

Cover Images: Dreamstime.com: Riekefoto (robot outline), Aprescindere (LEGO blocks); Creative Commons License @ Flickr (photos): steevithak, SpecialKRB, Nics events. Interior Images: iStockphoto.com: Leontura (photo p. 52), gksu emre zkan (truck), Jordan McCullough (LEGO blocks)

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Mark Gura has been an educator for over three decades. The former director of instructional technology of the New York City Department of Education, he began his career as a teacher, spending 18 years in elementary and middle school classrooms in Harlem. More recently, he has taught graduate education courses at Fordham University and Touro College. Gura was a staff and curriculum developer for NYCs central Division of Curriculum and Instruction before being recruited to develop and administer the first citywide instructional technology program. He has written extensively on education for the NY Daily News, Converge, and a variety of other education magazines, and has written and published numerous books on education. He is the co-producer/co-host of the popular The Teachers Podcast (http://teacherspodcast.org) and Talking Financial Literacy Podcast (www.talkingfinlit.org). Gura has spoken on the subject of instructional technology throughout the U.S. He lives and works in both the New York City area and Palm Beach County, Florida.

The author wishes to thank the following colleagues for their time and enthusiasm in sharing their experiences and expertise:

Dwayne Abuel, Technology Coordinator, Highlands Intermediate School, Pearl City, Hawaii

Laura Allen, CEO/President, Vision Education & Media, New York City

Corbett Beder, Student Robotics Specialist/Staff Developer, New York City

Chris Dudin, Public School Robotics Teacher, New York City

Phil Firsenbaum, Educational Consultant/Student Robotics Specialist, New York City

Ken Johnson, LEGO Education sales representative to schools (NJ, PA, WV)

Isaac Kestenbaum, Robotics Specialist, Vision Education & Media, New York City

Mike Koumoullos, Teacher at Aviation High School, New York City

Luke Laurie, Middle School Science Teacher/Coordinator RoboChallenge, Santa Maria, California

Ian Chow Miller, Teacher, Frontier Junior High School, Graham, Washington

Mark Sharfshteyn, Chairperson, New York City FIRST LEGO League Planning Committee

Maxwell Shlansky, High School Student/Assistant Robotics Teacher, New York City

Evan Weinberg, High School Science Educator, New York City Public Schools

Keith Wynne, Elementary Science Specialist, New York City Public Schools

CHAPTER 1
Robotics Basics

CHAPTER 2
LEGO Robotics Materials and Software

CHAPTER 3
Managing the Robotics Classroom

CHAPTER 4
Robotics Activity Ideas

CHAPTER 5
Assessing Robotics Learning

CHAPTER 6
Documenting, Saving, and Archiving Robotics Projects

CHAPTER 7
Robotics in the Curriculum

CHAPTER 8
Robotics Connections to Learning Standards

CHAPTER 9
Robotics Events and Competitions

CHAPTER 10
Interviews with LEGO Robotics Experts

APPENDIX A
Classic Robotics Projects