Robotics

ICT Project One - The Journey so far

Robotics was introduced into Linwood College in 2009. Four donated Robots enabled 10 students to join and participate in this area.

The research aspect was to see if students would be more motivated to learn with this style of self managed learning using Robots as up-to-date technology in a supportive, friendly non directive environment.

This year the same group of students have returned and the use of robotics in the school has more than tripled to accommodate demand. Students have come to our school because we offer exciting technology like robotics and programmes that include exciting projects.

This is how Robotics looks this year -

Group A  Continues in Physics Lab S8 Tuesday after school  with an extra 7 more robots.

Group B  Year 10 Digital Technologies Programme now has robotics integrated into the course content . This is the start of a new pathway for students through to Year 13.

ICT Project Two

The new Digital Technology Curriculum is being developed this year and next year which will mean we can now start looking at Xbox 360 to be used as a programming tool. Students will start learning how to program games for the Xbox in Year 11 and 12 in 2010 - 2011. This is a huge carrot for students and can be as highly complex or as simple as they want using the free Microsoft C# programming language. The aim is for students to be making games on the PC and then uploading them to the Xbox. There is also a Web site students can belong to, that as a digital community they can upload to for discussion forums at any time.

Robotics developments at Linwood College

Links with other schools - Teachers and students have been to a two day boot-camp during holiday breaks. This was sponsored by a company called VEX and Massey University.
 
Lunch hour activities - Xbox 360 programming will be explored during the lunch hour with students being invited to try programming themselves with teacher support but not direction.  

Competitions - RoboCup is entered by all robotics students, along with the University of Canterbury competitions.
 
Links with University - Year 12 and 13 students will be going to the Engineering Department at Canterbury to build a line following electronic robot with the aim of experiencing university life and gaining credits. This also opens the door to this department and the Computer Science Department.
 
For Robotics enquires:

Diane Atkins
ICT Lead Teacher

ak@linwoodcollege.school.nz