While it is officially a 'MOA' Kluster design and product it clearly takes its inspiration from elsewhere, in this case 'Barefoot Computing: Computing at School'. Regardless of its origin, it contains the key elements that need to be applied in the context of using the Robots. Tinkering/creating/debugging/perseverance/collaborating are all examples of practical use of robots that can fit in really, really well with the computational thinking.
During the course of today I conducted an introductory series of lessons with the classrooms in the junior school. The purpose of the lessons were two fold - to engage the students in the use of the robots to get them enthused and think about the possibilities but also to do likewise for the staff and have them see the robots in a teaching situation. We have significant resources here at school but sometimes, in my opinion there can be a disconnect between the resource and the teacher and especially in the case of technology. I find the usability of the Edison off the charts in terms of how easy it can start working and its price point can't be matched. The lessons that I went with today focussed on the starting of the robots, the play, stop and program button and then a single bar code reading of the robots to program it towards the 'clap' operated option. I would consider it extremely successful.
