How to Train a Robot

Sample Lesson Review and Analysis

The lesson meets the Ohio Academic Content Standards and learning outcomes.
- The mathematical content addressed in this module includes measurement, data analysis, geometry and spatial sense, and mathematical process standards.
- The indicators itemized are from grades 8-12.
- This module covers substantive content in these areas.
The lesson incorporates technology appropriate for supporting learning goals, including Ohio academic goals, and individualized student needs.
- The lesson uses a variety of hardware and software such as graphing calculators, robots, Logo, TI Basic, and mazes.
- With the numerous types of activities, students with many varying learning styles can find success in learning.
The lesson incorporates technology appropriate for professional development requirements of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or other professional development licensure needs.
- This lesson not only requires the use of hardware and software but also provides many support resources available for teachers and students.
- The ISTE standards for teachers addressed by this module are listed and are met by this unit.
Technology is integral to learning in the lesson.
- This lesson requires the learner to use technology.
- The goals could not be met without the use of technology.
- This module requires at least one robot.
- Links to funding sources and to a calculator loan program is provided.
Technology use in the lesson empowers learners.
- Students are empowered by having many resources and support materials. The pedagogy is aligned with how to address the needs of individual students.
The lesson promotes a variety of research-based instructional strategies and takes into account various learning and teaching styles.
- Clear and precise directions are given to both the teachers and the students.
- Links are provided for topics teachers and students may not have prior knowledge of.
The lesson engages students in learning that is anchored in their diverse needs.
- Another highlight of this module is the potential for active engagement, increased time on task, increased enthusiasm, and learning for understanding and long-term memory.
- Because of the many pedagogies used and because of students working in teams, students with diverse needs will tend to be addressed rather easily.
The lesson requires students to be active participants, explorers and researchers.
- Students will be totally engaged in this module as has been shown in a pilot of the materials.
- Students will be expected to be independent learners, researchers and explorers. They will be asked to search for information, use the information that is needed, make predictions based on the information, and then bring all the learning together in a culminating activity.
The lesson requires students to demonstrate conceptual understanding, not just recall.
- Because of the interactive nature of this unit, students will have to learn a few things at the skill level such as how to use a graphing calculator and program in Logo. To complete the module students must apply and transfer knowledge to a real-world situation.
The lesson encourages students to develop understanding and create personal meaning through reflection.
- The questions and assignments in this module require the students to construct their knowledge of how geometry integrates with programming and applies to working with robotics.
The lesson requires students to relate knowledge to real-world contexts.
- Robots are used in many real-world applications. Understanding of how these robots work in this lesson can evolve into understanding how larger and more purposeful robots function.
The lesson promotes a variety of assessments that align with Ohio standards, learning outcomes, instructional strategies, and technology use.
- The assessments require thoughtful responses from the students.
- The assessments align well with the standards and instructional strategies used.
Lesson assessments promote teacher understanding of a variety of assessment tools and how to implement them.
- This module provides clear instructions for the assessment.
- A well-conceived rubric allows teachers ease in grading.
Lesson assessments support and expand upon students' learning and inform stakeholders.
- The authentic assessment task builds upon everything that the students have learned up to this point in the module.
- The mathematical content used in this module relies on previously learned concepts and applies them in an interesting way.
Lesson assessments are performance-based and advance higher-order thinking and knowledge construction.
- Because this authentic assessment is a culminating activity and because students only get one chance to run their program, responsibility is placed on the team members to do it right the first time.
- The application level of work does encourage higher-level thinking and knowledge construction.