How to Teach Fractions to a Robot

       Before I begin, I would like to introduce the amazing little robots that have entered my math classroom.   For just over a year, I have been using Ozobots.  If you are unfamiliar with them, they are small, programmable robots.  It does not take very long to learn how to speak its language and give it commands.
     The initial incarnation of the Ozobot allowed users to draw black lines on white paper for the Ozobot to follow.  As well, the user could use a preset combination of green, red, and blue to tell the Ozobot to do a trick, or carry out a movement. These are referred to as OzoCodes.  They may be simple commands, such as a u-turn, or more complex movements like spins and back walks.
       The more recent version is the Ozobot 2.0.  This latest version allows the user to create and upload programs, using a block coding system called OzoBlockly.  Earlier this year, I was able to teach my students basic programming in about 1 hour.   It is a very user friendly code that is great for classroom use.

Meet the Ozobot 2.0.

     Last week, it all began with a single question.  The students have been working on their understanding of decimal fractions and I decided it was time for them to show the depth of their learning.

Design an Ozobot course that demonstrates your understanding of decimal fractions.  

     Students each received a large piece of paper.  They quickly realized that they needed rulers and pencils. As they began the task, I started to see students measure out a distance that they then referred to as "one whole". I watched as they each came to the conclusion that they needed to break down their original measurement into various fractions.

Some students began planning their measurements.

        As I circulated, I saw students experiment with their ideas and work with numbers they were comfortable dividing into fractions.  Scaffolding was provided as necessary to develop and further understanding.

A student works to divide their original distance into  fractions of its original length.  They recorded both the distances and fractions for use later on in the project.

   Once their initial Ozobot course was designed and checked over, they proceeded to go over the pencil lines with thick, black markers (Mr. Sketch).   I even had one student figure out that they could include the OzoCodes at predictable increments that were fractions of the original measurement.  The student whose work is pictured below has used OzoCodes in their course to represent the denominators of fractions.

           The second stage of this assignment was to translate their original program from paper to computer.  Students who reached this stage, used their measurements to build their OzoBlockly program.  In some cases, students used loops to cut down on the amount of commands they were giving the Ozobot.

A sample of programming created by a student.

      Once the program was complete and checked over, it was time to upload it into the robot.

        Finally, we were able to run the programs students created, and see the creations come to life!   This has been a great opportunity to give the students the freedom to express their depth of understanding of the concepts taught.  I look forward to more opportunities to use this technology in my classroom.

IOSTEM K-9 Professional Learning Series

IO STEM is a joint commitment of the Werklund School of Education and the Imperial Oil Foundation to design and implement engaging learning experiences for K-12 students who will become the scientists and engineers of the future. To that end, the Galileo Educational Network has designed a professional learning series to build STEM capacities for teachers, learning leaders and discipline specialists.

IO STEM K-9 Professional Learning Series 

The aim of this professional learning series is to explore the implications (structures, supports, processes) required for practitioners and school leaders to be able to further promote teacher and student engagement in STEM areas. During the series participants will have opportunities to collaboratively design learning activities alongside disciplinary and pedagogical experts from the Galileo Educational Network and from the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. Participants will also be invited to participate in a research study investigating the impact of professional learning upon STEM culture in schools.

IO STEM Learning Series Intentions
● Design an experiential STEM learning environment for teachers in which they are supported to develop student STEM tasks
● Build capacity to design and enact intellectually engaging, experiential student tasks and assessments in STEM
● Sponsor research-informed, evidence-based practices for effective teaching, learning and leading in STEM areas
● Engage in an iterative process of reflection and action for continual quality improvement in designing STEM learning opportunities
● Build capacity of teachers as designers and leaders in STEM
● Strengthen a STEM professional learning network where participants are committed to making teaching, learning and leadership visible, sharing artifacts, and disseminating learning with the broader community

Dates and Location
Sessions for K-9 teachers will be held on campus from 1 – 4PM on the following dates:

January 27, 2016
March 2, 2016
April 20, 2016
May 11, 2016

Sessions will take place in the Doucette Library classroom EDC 370A, on the third floor of the Education block at 2500 University Drive NW, T2N 1N4.