A road map for teaching introductory programming using LEGO© mindstorms robots

  • Authors:

  • Pamela B. Lawhead;Michaele E. Duncan;Constance G. Bland;Michael Goldweber;Madeleine Schep;David J. Barnes;Ralph G. Hollingsworth

  • Affiliations:

  • University of Mississippi, University, MS;East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN;Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS;Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio;Columbia College, Columbia, SC;University of Ken at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, UK;Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio

  • Venue:
  • Working group reports from ITiCSE on Innovation and technology in computer science education
  • Year:
  • 2002

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.03

Visualization

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a recent trend in the introductory computer science curriculum which advocates conceptualizing computation primarily as coordinated concurrent activities [8], [9], [10]. Consistent with this philosophy is the focus on the event-driven model of computation [7]. While one can utilize these approaches with any thread and/or event supporting object-oriented language (e.g. Java) in a desktop programming environment, they become particularly worthwhile when used in conjunction with physical robots. This paper argues the case for the benefits of this approach and provides sample exercises that illustrate the use of this pedagogy using Lego Mindstorms RCX bricks programmed in Java for use in introductory programming.