I first start out by introducing the ozobot to my students. This looks like the following: I get the ozobots out. I pass them around so the students can touch, look, and ooh and ah at them. This is an important step to do so when you start talking about how they work they will listen to you.
After, everyone has had a chance to let their curiosity run its course I show a video on how they work. This video I found on youtube and like the simplicity of it. This is not my video just one on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBdBG1TSgR8
Once we watch this video. I ask them questions.
What made this robot move?
What do the different colors do to the robot?
How does the robot read the lines it is passing?
Spend time discussing these answers.
Now I pull out the markers and I demonstrate how to draw lines for the ozobot to read. We talk about the importance of making the lines thick and bold and not skinny. I show them how to lay the marker on its side so it has a thicker line. I show them what it looks like if they draw using the tip of the marker. Once I demonstrate how to draw a straight line path with a marker. Then I let them try it. I do not fix their "mistakes" if they draw a thin line. I let them make the line how they are going to make it. Then we test them out with the ozobot. We see if the ozobot can read their line or not. The ones who had a thin line the ozobot will not read it and they get upset. This is a LEARNING opportunity for them. So we discuss what they need to do differently the next time.
Next step is making a map with the black marker. I demonstrate what I want their map to look like. We still aren't putting any codes in yet. Once I demonstrate it. Then they will try. We then test them out using the ozobots. Stopping to talk about each one and why it worked or didn't work. So they can improve as they continue drawing their maps.
The last step is introducing codes.
I pick 3 to 4 codes to let the students try out on the very first day. We talk about how to draw them and how they have to be in a certain order. I demonstrate how to draw one code in my ozobot map. Then I tell them it is their turn to draw an ozobot map with at least one code in it. (This is a little scarier with kindergartners. Some of their maps are scary looking. It is okay they will get better. They have to start somewhere.) We then test them out. We talk about what could be improved for next time.
