The Social Robot Toolkit

Subject:  
Technologies

Year Level:
F – 2

Strand: 
Digital Technologies

Sub-Strand:
Digital Technologies Knowledge and Understanding

Content Descriptor:
Recognise and explore digital systems (hardware and software components) for a purpose (ACTDIK001)

Link to the Resources:
https://thejournal.com/articles/2015/03/12/preschoolers-practice-programming.aspx
http://robotic.media.mit.edu/portfolio/social-robot-toolkit/

Cross-Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities:
Literacy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability and Critical and Creative Thinking

Links to other learning areas: 
English

A classroom activity using this resource:
The Social Robot Toolkit works specifically with an interactive robot called Dragonbot. The purpose of the social robot toolkit is to teach students about social communication with the assistance of playful interaction. This coding device allows children, between the ages of 4 and 8, to experiment with computational concepts. The toolkit gives students the opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills through the assistance of storytelling. The Social Robot familiarises students with interpersonal and computational concepts. Edith Ackermann, a developmental psychologist, highlights that the programming of the robot is done so highlight relational interactions.

 

How to use this resource:
The Social Robot Toolkit comes with:

  • Dragonbot
  • An A3 laminated sheet comprising of a blue triangle and a green square.
  • A series of vinyl stickers that represent triggers and events.
  • Tablet

The children place a sticker on the blue diamond, which is the action they are to complete, such as clapping their hands. Followed by a sticker on the green square, which is the action for Dragonbot to complete, such as smiling. Placing a black arrow between the two events creates the sequence.

Once the students have created their sequence they show Dragonbot. The teacher then uses the tablet provided to input the sequence created by the child. When Dragonbot acknowledges the sequence it nods its head and says, “I’ve got”.

At that point children will complete the trigger action which results in Dragonbot executing the chain of command.

 

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3 thoughts on “The Social Robot Toolkit

  1. This is a great idea! I would so use this in my class.
    This robot can be used in so many different ways.
    Wow I never knew that they exsisted.

  2. Such a great idea and resource!

    I like the idea of this resource because of the ability to explore computational concepts such as sequences, event-triggers, non-determinism and other aspects.

    Its an easy way to teach students how robots work. Thank you so much

  3. This is such a fantastic idea and a great resource!

    I would definitely use this in my classroom to teach students about social communication, particularly in today’s society where we are so used to communicating online (like this).

    It would definitely be highly engaging.

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