Rough Draft – Robotics Curriculum

MJ j -

Hello all, and welcome to my eighth blog post. This week, I have been working on a rough draft for my curriculum, and have it completely finished, save for a segment of Unit 4, which covers Computer Science. This is because I still need to figure out what software/program will be used to teach the students about coding. I know it will be a block based software, but I don’t know exactly which one. For those that don’t know what a block based software looks like, this link provides an example to a block based software called Scratch

Further, below are images showing of Unit 1 of the rough draft:

 

If you are unable to clearly see what the curriculum says, click here to see it within the google document.

 

Firstly, the students need to know what a robot is before progressing past this point. For the purposes of this class, I defined it such that a robot is:

  1. A machine
  2. It is capable to carrying out complex tasks automatically
  3. Are able to be autonomous or semi autonomous

 

Next, the students learn what the simple machines are, some of their applications, as well as how they actually function. As I stated in the rough draft above, there are six simple machines.

 

To sum up this unit, as well as to test the students’ knowledge on the Unit 1 material, there is a written assessment that will be a combination of free response and multiple choice, the details of which you can find in the document.

 

As I progress further and make necessary tweaks to my curriculum, I will probably share the other units one by one. As Unit 1 is the first unit as well as the smallest, I decided to start with it, as it makes the most sense. Any suggestions for things to include or maybe not to include in the curriculum are open!


Until next time!

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Comments:

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    vinesh_k
    Hi MJ! Hope your curriculum progresses well. Two notes: could you make your document accessible to all people who use the link? Second, are there introductory physics/math components or are those going to be prerequisites to take the class?
    mj_j
    Hello Vinesh, because this is an elective, there are no prerequisites to take the class. Due to this, there will be a sort of "introduction" to physics/math starting in Unit 2, which I will likely share as part of my blog next week. Also, I have updated the accessibility. Thanks for that heads up!
    joaquin_s
    Hey MJ, do you know of what kinds of topics would be covered in the other units of your class, or it something that you still haven't explored yet?
    nico_l
    Hey MJ, the progress you are making is pointing to what may be a really interesting course for the future, especially with the steps we are taking towards automation. What do you hope for anybody to get out of the class other than basic robotics knowledge?
    sidd_s
    Hey MJ, your curriculum is coming together great! How did you come across the software “Scratch”? Have you had any prior experience with it, or is it something you’re just now discovering?
    mj_j
    Hello Joaquin. To answer your question, yes, for the most part, I know the topics that will be explored in the other units of my class. I will most likely share/explain Unit 2 next week.
    mj_j
    Hello Nico! As far as my hopes for what the students take out of the class, it would be at the least appreciation of robotics, and for some, even a possible career path. I hope every student gets inspired in some way shape or form
    mj_j
    Hello Sidd. If I am being completely honest, I don't remember how I first came across the software, as I have known about it for some time. I most likely found it while searching up different coding languages and their benefits.

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