8
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Using microcontrollers in an Introductory course
Microcontrollers can address two important aspects.
The first is bridging the gap between the code, and the real world. Particularly if you have sensors (accelerometer, buttons) and outputs (an LED ...
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5
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How to avoid misconceptions about while loop when using null loop
To add some context from the chat room conversation: This is part of a larger course that introduces technology in an applied fashion. The segment with the robot is 10 days and the students have not ...
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5
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Using microcontrollers in an Introductory course
If the goal is to create more interest in learning programming (as you state above), then Arduinos are not the strongest vehicles for reaching that end. The logic of ...
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4
votes
Accepted
Teaching coding paradigms and concepts with specific context
Based on my two years of involvement with FIRST, I have a few suggestions:
Teach students to read the documentation. This site covers Java programming for the 2017 FRC Control System. FIRST ...
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3
votes
Robotics Recommendations
I'm a big fan of micro:bit and kits that companies build for them. For example, the Tinybit robot from Yahboom. It includes programming activities. I've bought hundreds of these and had good ...
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3
votes
Accepted
Robotics Recommendations
Take a look at the Edison Programmable V2.0 Robot. (https://www.robotshop.com/en/edison-programmable-v20-robot.html) Available from Amazon. Also Makeblock mBot Robot Kit (Amazon.com)
I have read ...
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2
votes
How to avoid misconceptions about while loop when using null loop
This answer will be a bit different, I hope, and more general.
Programming physical robots is inherently different from simple procedural test and command driven programming. It is essentially event ...
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2
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Going from syntax to CS concepts
tl;dr Make the mapping between the software and the hardware explicit at the start and then show the code, rather than the other way round. Draw pictures. Give them a mental overall image, not just ...
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1
vote
How to avoid misconceptions about while loop when using null loop
What you are looking for is "old style" macintosh like event driven programming. It's still there under the covers in Windows, but the high level libraries tend to hide the implementation.
Your main ...
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How to avoid misconceptions about while loop when using null loop
On a different note, it is much more effective to use simulated robot environments when first introducing programming to students.
The addition of the H/W elements in physical robots (along with more ...
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1
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Teaching coding paradigms and concepts with specific context
What I like to do is to first teach them the code that will actually make the robot move/do whatever it's supposed to do, then from that point I'd teach them the structures that can be used to make it ...
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Using microcontrollers in an Introductory course
Advantages compared to what? I will assume compared to programming abstract applications on a desktop.
Programming abstract applications on a microcontroller does not provide any obvious advantages, ...
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