Introduction & Welcome

    Welcome to my blog! I am Tarah Lamb (she/her). I teach 7th & 8th grade in Poteau, Oklahoma. I currently teach four preps that serve 100 students: PLTW Gateway Flight & Space, PLTW Gateway Automation & Robotics, Competitive VEX IQ Robotics, and 7th grade STEM. This is my third year in education. I greatly enjoy teaching. I am especially passionate about Career & Technical Education (CTE). CTE integrates both K-12 and adult learners, equipping learners of all ages with the practical skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today's evolving workforce. My professional aspiration is to continually impact as many learners as possible, nurturing their development of vital 21st-century skills.

    In my first blog post, I am reviewing the ISTE Standards for Students (2011) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) (2013). I am creating a learning activity involving middle school robotics in which students will demonstrate content knowledge and technology proficiency based on one of the indicators under the ISTE standard. NGSS MS-ETS1-4 asks students to develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process. To address this standard, my middle school robotics students could engage in a collaborative learning activity using digital tools. Students would program a virtual reality robot in VEXcode VR to complete a maze. This activity aligns with the ISTE standard for Computational Thinker (5b) as students actively employ computational thinking strategies to develop and test solutions using technological methods. Next, students would build physical robots using VEX IQ robotics kits. They would program the robots to complete the maze using a two-motor drive train, optical sensor, and bumper sensors. Throughout the iterative design process, students would collect data on the performance of their robots and use it to make informed decisions about modifications and improvements. They could use data visualization tools like Google Sheets to analyze their data and identify trends. By leveraging technological tools and methods, students demonstrate proficiency in computational thinking as outlined in the ISTE standard. Ultimately, students would present their robots and their code to their classmates. They would use digital presentation tools like Google Slides to showcase their design process, data analysis, and robot performance. By engaging in this collaborative learning activity, students not only address the NGSS standard but also develop essential skills in robotics, technology, and teamwork. This activity fosters collaboration and communication skills as students share their solutions and provide feedback to each other, aligning with the ISTE standard for Knowledge Constructor (4d).

    This lesson aligns with Kolb's Triple E Framework (Kolb, 2011) by actively engaging students in hands-on robotics activities, enhancing their learning through the integration of technology tools, and extending their understanding through collaboration and real-world application. Through programming virtual and physical robots to navigate mazes, students are deeply engaged in project-based learning which fosters their interest and motivation. The use of digital tools such as VEXcode VR and Google Sheets enhances students' ability to experiment, analyze data, and communicate findings effectively. Collaboration with peers and presentation of their work to classmates extends learning beyond the classroom, promoting real world problem-solving skills and reflective practice. The lesson idea presented, with its focus on experiential learning, integration of technology tools, and promotion of collaborative problem-solving, is supported by Kolb's Triple E Framework, which emphasizes the importance of engagement, enhancement, and extension in educational activities (Kolb, 2011).

References

International Society for Technology in Education. (2016). ISTE standards for students. https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students

Kolb, Liz. (2011). About the Triple E Framework. Triple E Framework.  https://www.tripleeframework.com/about.html

Next Generation Science Standards. (2013). Next Generation Science Standards: For states, by states. National Academies Press. https://www.nextgenscience.org/