ISCI 761 M5: Lego Mindstorm

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You may be thinking, "Legos are just toys, what could you possibly do with them in a classroom?" Well, allow me to introduce you to David Aguilar.


You may show this video to students to capture their interests of attention. Robotics and engineering can sound intimidating to students not versed in them - but introduce them to a Lego fan and this next product, and you may find that the students are less afraid and more invested.
Image Credit: Lego.com, Robot Inventor

What is Lego Mindstorm?
Kids learn best when education is made interactive – and even better when it's creative and fun! You can take playtime to the next level with programmable toys that fulfil exciting, different functions. Kids 6 to 9 years old and young adults will love learning the basics of coding languages as they assemble, then program robots to dance, fight and play sports.

 - Lego Mindstorm - Invent a Robot

Lego Mindstorm is a STEAM based tool that allows students to turn worktime into playtime. While engaging with math, science, or technology specific curriculum, students can also design and construct a functioning robot. The Robot Inventor set costs $359.99 and includes a whooping 949 pieces that can be arranged into five different robots and a rechargeable battery. There is a free Robot Inventor app that can be used to code the robots and provide missions for students to complete using their robots. There is also a way for students to create their own robot using the kit and share it online at Lego Life. Lego Mindstorm has a 3.7/5 stars rating on the Lego website and a reported 71% would recommend the product. A benefit of this product is not just in a simple purchase and application but in that it links to a larger community through the ability to collaborate online. It should be noted that the website also list Lego Mindset as sold out.

Learning Model & Lego Mindstorm
One model that can be used with the implementation of Lego Mindstorm is the R.A.T. Model. R.A. T. relates to the effective use of technology through replacement, amplification, and transformation. 
Image Credit: Web.Archive.org, RAT Artwork

Using Lego Mindstorm and the R.A.T. model means that lessons themselves should not change - lessons in which students are creating and constructing will just have the original product replaced with the Lego Mindstorm. The implementation of the Lego Mindstorm with amplify student learning - not change the learning outcome. Lastly, the implementation of the Lego Mindstorm product should transform student learning - which may sound more complicated than it is. Essentially transforming student learning could include "new cognitive forms could emerge, new people could be involved, or new content may be accessible" (Hughes, 2019). The R.A.T. Question Guide available from the Web Archive article from the Wayback Machine website offers good questions for the consideration of the R.A.T. model in the planning process.

Lego Mindstorm Resources
If you are looking for resources or advice about implementation of Lego Mindstorm, you may consider the following blogs:
  • There are two blogs from EduTopia that may prove useful. 
    • The first by Mary Beth Hertz (2013) focuses on her experience attending a robotics competition and realizing there was a lack of girls in attendance. She once taught a summer course with Lego Mindstorm and, having never taught robotics before, discovered that it was a positive experience using this Lego product. Hertz describes the “hands-on experience of building, the time put into troubleshooting a program, the excitement when the robot you built completes a challenge -- it was hours of fun” (2013). She discusses starting a robotics club and the application of scientific and mathematical techniques in the construction of the robots and completion of the challenges.
    • The second from Julia L. Dweck (2016) only mentions Lego Mindstorm briefly but presents a well thought out view of the changes in education and the increasing interest in STEM skills.
  • While not education specific, the blog from Kim Castles-Albert (2014) elaborates about her implementation of Lego Mindset with tweens in her library. Not only is her process outlined but she also describes what she learned from the experience and helpful tips.
These articles as from pre-2020 because Lego Mindset is not the latest version of the Lego robotics series. Mindsets has evolved to include other iterations that are the topic of more current blogs. For more updated products from Lego check out their Education site.

References

Castles-Albert, K. (2014). "LEGO Mindstorms for Tweens (Or How I Had to Give Myself a Crash Course in Robotics)." ALSC Blog, www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2014/11/lego-mindstorms-for-tweens-or-how-i-had-to-give-myself-a-crash-course-in-robotics/.

Dweck, J. (2016). "Unlocking the Code for Robotics in the Classroom." EduTopia, www.edutopia.org/blog/unlocking-code-robotics-in-classroom-julia-dweck.

Hertz, MB. (2013). "Girls and Robotics." EduTopia, https://www.edutopia.org/blog/girls-and-robotics-mary-beth-hertz.

Hughes, J. (2019). "Replacement, Amplification, and Transformation: The R.A.T. Model." Wayback Machine, web.archive.org/web/20190612101737/https://techedges.org/r-a-t-model/.

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