An Introduction to the Beebots August 15, 2010

On Friday, the children in the Kindy classroom met with the six beebots. There was much excitement in the early stages of learning about the beebots and just what they are.

For a fifteen minute block, as they met during literacy groups, the children were able to just explore what happens when they press different buttons. I had gone through with the children that whenever we get the beebot we need to press the clear button, as he has a very BIG memory, and then we program and press ‘GO’ the green button. Already some of the children were able to program long sequences whilst others were still working out how to use the beebot.

At the end of the block, we sat and discussed what we think the beebot is.

P said a bug. An insect.
L agreed with P.
Ar said a robot bug.
L it is like a car ’cause it has wheels.

It was amazing to watch the children use the beebots. Some who have very little language skills were screaming and discussing with their friends just what was happening. I found that watching these interactions I was able to see a different side to some of the children.

We rotated the groups twice and during the second visit with the beebots. We continued to explore the beebots and what way they can move. I then had the children come inside and draw pictures of what their beebot did. The drawings were fantastic {I will add these if I am allowed to} and I had them also tell me what was happening in the picture.

For the first time at using the beebots within a classroom setting, I was truly amazed at what the children were able to achieve in the space of thirty minutes and the language that was used throughout.