iPad Programming Sphero Robots

Using RGS iPads pupils learnt how to programme a Sphero Robot to move along a predetermined course laid out on the floor, points were given for accuracy of programming and ‘driving’.

Aims

The main aim of this project was to support local primary schools with their IT provision as we had been advised that these First Schools did not have the facilities or the expertise to deliver advanced programming lessons.

Whilst the children attending the session would immediately benefit, their teacher remarked that by giving them more confidence it would make them more able to share their experience with other pupils back in school therefore broadening the benefit.

Background

RGS have recently started the partnership with Wychbold First School and we knew through previous discussions, that they were not in a position to deliver this level of IT so were specificually invited along to this workshop.

Having partnered with Whittington Primary on previous events they mentioned that they would appreciate some IT support as they did not have equipment or higher level expertise to deliver advanced programming lessons.

Resources

For it to run successfully we needed to ensure that a sports hall was available to race the programmed Spheros and that the 28 Spheros were charged and available.

The event was run on the day by a team of RGS Digital Leaders and our Digital Specialist Teacher supported by the Outreach Officer.

The financial contribution from RGS was £145 which covered catering, giveaways, transport and certificates.

Impact

Each school attending an Outreach Event is asked to complete a feed back form which is then used to inform future events and how to improve them.

Comments received from Wychbold Teachers were

‘It was great to learn these higher level coding skills which reinforced core skills previous learnt and demonstrated to the pupils that IT is not simply sitting at a computer!’

Comments received from Whittington teachers were

‘This activity has helped our children develop their knowledge of coding which they will be able to apply back at school with their fellow pupils. They have been able to use a variety of resources with clear links to maths and they have had such a lot of fun experimenting with codes.’

Pupil Involvement

Wychbold: Our Year five and six digital leaders helped out and the thirty pupils in attendance were from Years three and four and were a mixture of girls and boys.

Whittington: RGS The Grange Year six digital leaders helped out and the twenty nine pupils in attendance were from Years four and were a mixture of girls and boys.

Frequency

This was the third such event but due to its success and support to the state school curriculum it will be repeated in the coming academic year for another partner school.