Ozobot in the Classroom
Ozobot is the world’s smallest smart, programmable robot that bridges digital and physical gaming. Designed to learn, play and entertain, Ozobot brings a new element into the interactive classroom.It gives kids a way to learn and play with a robotic physical avatar for augmented reality games. Kids can program Ozobot to move,play and dance through intuitive color code patterns. Ozobot teaches code language, robotic behavior and deductive reasoning in multidimensional environments. You can purchase one Ozobot for $49.99 or two for $99.99 at Amazon.
Ozobots charge in about 35 minutes with an included USB cable that you can plug directly into your computer and they offer a lot more than 30 minutes of play time. Right out of the box, Ozobot is ready to start following lines almost as soon as you turn it on. Each Ozobot has a button on one side that turns it on. You’ll want to calibrate each Ozobot based on the surface you will use so it can properly follow lines on the screen and on paper.
To calibrate, just hold down the power button until the robot’s LED blinks white. Either place it on the app’s calibration section or on the calibration card that ships with the robot. Ozobot won’t move until at least one of the five bottom sensors sees a color. For instance Ozobot will just patiently sit, wait and blink when placed on a white sheet of paper. Place Ozobot on a dark area, like a wood desk or a black kitchen counter and Ozobot will immediately begin exploring and searching for the next adventure. Ozobot is completely obsessed with finding a path and won’t hesitate to jump off your dark surface.
Now, you areready to begin using the app. The Ozobot app lets you play different types of games with one or more robots right on your tablet and also includes games, mazes and the ability to practice programming the robots. The robots respond to short color codes that you can drag and drop onto your path designs.
OzoDraw is a drawing game designed to foster creative play and interact with the robot it will also introduce you to Ozobot’s color codes. Color codes are an intuitive high level language that lets you control the robot and its many capabilities simply through color changes. Codes or what they call “OzoCodes” are color sequences made of two, three or four color dots in a row located directly on a path. Ozobot’s optical sensors are designed to read floor signs about 150 times per second to detect red, green, blue, black and white areas and react accordingly.The robots will follow and change light colors in tandem with the changing line colors.
There are several different apps to use with the Ozobot. OZOPATH is a strategy game you help Ozobot reach the finish line using directional tiles. OZOLUCK is a game of chance where you select the variables and see where they take Ozobot. OzoGroove lets you program Ozobot through music and dance.UseOzoGroove to program Ozobot to dance to your favorite songs. Upload up to 500 moves and watch Ozobot groove to your tunes! OZODRAW is an exploration game. You draw the path and Ozobot follows.
If you find the iPad screen too confining, tape together pieces of paper, you can create paths of almost any size. Ozobot will recognize its own markers or thick Crayola markers. If you want the Ozobots to effectively follow your paths, avoid using the sharp pointand use the side edge of the marker.“Chisel tip” or wide markers as one fast stroke will create the perfect path. DO NOT use anything that creates debris or dust, or leaves the surface wet or oily. Wet markers, paint or ink that does not dry instantly, chalk, or dry erase markers. The wet ink or dust they produce will damage the drivetrain.
The robot will follow the lines you draw; if you have two Ozobots, they can simultaneously follow the lines (the lines need to be at least one inch apart so the robots don't run into each other.
When drawing on paper and using intersections the Ozobotwill randomly decide which path to pick unless told otherwise by a code. Ozobot may have difficulty maneuvering intersections that are less than 90 degree turns.There are three types of intersections: X T Y to use with your Ozobot. You may also print out different boards and paths from the website at .
STREAM/STEM based lessons, workshops and activities for teachers can be downloaded for freeto start to inspire the next generation of computer scientists, engineers and inventors.
Get more information on adding paths and drawing codes at
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