Ozobots

1) Overview of Ozobots: Ozobots are small robotic devices that follow

color codes. Ozobots read color codes and complete certain functions
such as speed and movement according to indicated codes. Ozobots
are a beginning way to teach coding to individuals.
2) How to use Ozobots overview: Ozobots are fairly easy to use. In
order for the Ozobot to work you need to make sure the Ozobot is
charged, have white paper as well as a thick tipped black, blue, red,
and green marker. On white paper, take a marker and draw a line in
any desired direction. At any point, you can stop and insert Ozocodes
into your lines, eventually creating a path with codes. Ozocodes are
color referenced codes. The Ozobot makers create these codes. An
Ozobot reads a code, by moving over the code on the paper, it will
complete a certain task. Color codes represent different tasks for the
Ozobot to follow. Ozocodes can be drawn into a path or printed off on
sticker paper and placed on your path. While drawing a path, you can
insert codes, each code has to start and end with a black line. The
Ozobot website provides users with a tips for using the Ozobot. After
creating a path on white paper, turn the Ozobot on by pressing the
small button on its side. Place the Ozobot on the path you created and
watch the Ozobot follow the path.

3) How to use Ozobots specifics:

-A video describing how to use an Ozobot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5d4iXGbIGs
-A PDF informing readers how to get started when using an Ozobot:
http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/31915
3/Getting-Started-Guide-v2-Ozobots.pdf
-Four videos describing how to draw with Ozobots:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLx38MWU2CMCnpB6ZpecoVuXeo5cnG95fk

4) Benefits of using Ozobots:

Benefits will be listed in terms of students in the elementary grades.
Benefits of using Ozobots in the elementary school:
-Ozobots can be using to enhance STEM or STEAM learning.
-They can promote problem solving
-They can promote collaboration and team work skills
-Ozobots can introduce students to the concept of coding
-Ozobots encourage student creativity.
-Provides students with hands-on learning experiences
-As Ozobots read the color codes, the color it read appears on the top
of the robot. This makes it easier for students to determine which color
was not read if the robot did not perform the indicated task after
moving over the code.

5) Weaknesses of using Ozobots:

 -Ozobot kits do cost money (about 50 dollars for the starter kit), so
funding resources would be needed to use this device in the classroom.
-Ozobots are fun and student may lack attention/focus when given
directions or an assignment while using or having the device in front of
them.
-Younger students in the elementary grade would require more support
when using Ozobots (to use the device as well as drawing codes).

6) How Ozobots can support teaching and learning:

-Students could create a path for an Ozobot and make a creative story
describing the Ozobot along the path.
-Students could decorate their Ozobot as a character (a person, animal,
etc.). Then they can create an Ozobot path with the class and along the
path write multiplication, addition facts, subtraction or division fact.
Students would then have to try to answer all of the math facts or problem
before Ozobot completes the path.
-The Ozobot could be used in a social studies review game. A path with a
desired number of tasks would need to be created for the Ozobot.
Students would place the Ozobot on the path and every time the Ozobot
reaches a coded task (such as tornado, ziz-zaz, etc.) students have to pull
a card and answer a question.
-Students could also practice letter formation. After writing their letters,
students could get the Ozobot to follow their letters.

7) Research:

Brown, P. (2016, March 31). Coding with Ozobots. In Tech & Learning. Retrieved
February 7, 2017, from http://www.techlearning.com/blogentry/10525

The Tech &Learn website featured an article written Patricia Brown on Ozobots.
Brown discusses grade two STEM lessons she conducted in her classroom using Ozobot
Robots to teach States of Matter & Mapping Skills. Brown (2016) includes the standards
and objectives she used in the unit and outlines three activities her students completed
with the Ozobots; coding with Ozobots, States of Matters and a mapping skill activity.
She imbedded photos of her students completing each activity as well as a description of
what students did which makes the activities easy to replicate by other teachers.

Greaser, L. (2015, July). Using Ozobots in a Classroom. In Artisan Education.

Retrieved February 10, 2017, from https://artisaneducation.com/part-one
using-ozobots-in-a-classroom/

Greasers (2015) article describes a general guideline for using Ozobots with
younger children to engage them in programming concepts. She focuses on four main
guidelines. The first guideline is, have fun-and catch their interest. The first guideline
points out that when introducing Ozobots to younger students, it is important to start
simple and gain their attention by demonstrating how Ozobots work. The second
guideline is dont explain, just give them a large piece of paper and a black marker. This
guideline discusses that a teacher should let students explore with Ozobots on their own
before teaching students certain concepts about Ozobots. The third guideline is keep it
simple and safe. The third guideline focuses on teaching students about Ozobots in
simple terms and discussing that Ozobots cannot hut them, but they can hurt the Ozobots.
The fourth guideline is play. This guideline focuses on the importance of just letting
younger students play around with the Ozobots to see what they can do and come up with
as well as asking students questions about what they created as well as to probe their
thinking.

Read. (2015, December). Ozobot in the classroom. In Dice Up The Classroom.

Retrieved February 10, 2017, from
https://classroomsnextlevel.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/ozobot-in-the
classroom/

Ozobot In The Classroom discusses what an Ozobot is and provides the reader
with some ideas for using Ozobots in the classroom. The post describes five different
Ozobot activities. The first activity involves students designing characters to fit different
Ozobot codes. Student then write a creative story that reflects their Ozobot as it is moving
on the created path. The second activity consists of creating dice from Ozobot codes,
rolling the dice and developing a story based off of the code they rolled. The third activity
suggests the idea of getting students to design their Ozobot as an animal or car and then
have them place their Ozobot in a created maze in a spot they think their Ozobot will
escape the maze the quickest. The fourth activity involves students using the Ozobot to
design neat think you cards. The Ozobot traces and performs tasks to spell out words. The
fifth activity suggests that students can recreate a historical period or event they are
learning in social studies with Ozobots.