Getting started with WeDo
Objectives
- Create and debug simple programs
- Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
- Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
Resources
Lego WeDo is a construction and programming set made by Lego Education. We have WeDo kits available to loan for schools that buy into our ICT for Learning SLA. 10 WeDo kits would be enough for most classes (1 between 3 students), plus laptops that run the software).
WeDo allows students to build their own Lego models and then program them to move using motors, gears etc. WeDo comes with it’s own software which also uses (graphical) blocks to create sequences of instructions (algorithms) to make their model move. The model then plugs into the computer with a USB cable to give the model power and to allow it to transfer the instruction to the model.
It is likely that students will continue to use WeDo or it’s bigger brother Lego NXTs and EV3s in KS2, so these two lessons are meant as just an introduction to the product and processes in quite a structured way that should suit KS1 children. It will then also allow them to explore and take things further in KS2.
The WeDo software comes with 12 model designs built into it. For each of them you get a short intro to the model and task, then onscreen building instructions (just like the paper booklet you get with regular Lego models), and then an example bit of code to get the model moving or doing something. Everything in the programming is editable and can be tinkered with by the children to see what happens if....
We suggest starting with this first model build for KS1 children. It works best if they work in small groups of about 3 children.
You can find a complete WeDo user guide HERE
Tweeting Birds
Begin by recapping the things we have controlled so far, and what we have learned about algorithms so far. What other machines can they think of that we control in the world around us? What different ways are they controlled?
Here’s a few:
- TV - pressing buttons on the remote
- Washing machines - turning dials and pressing buttons
- Toys - pressing buttons
- Automatic doors - sensors recognise our movement
- Pedestrian crossing - pressing buttons, sensors can tell if people are there
- Outside lighting - sensors detect movement
Introduce them to the software on their computer and show them how to access the build instructions. Put the children into groups of 3 and ask them work together as a team to build the Tweeting Birds, ensuring everyone is involved.
When they have built their model they are given this simple code to make the birds move. Show them them how to find the blocks and ask them to test it out to ensure their model is built correctly.
Then ask them to work out how they can make their birds:
- Turn in the opposite direction
- Turn for exactly 5 seconds
- Turn faster
- Turn slower
- Make a noise after it has turned for 7 seconds
These all use the green motor blocks and the pale green number blocks that can click onto the bottom of some of the motor blocks.
Review what they have done and how they achieved the challenges above. Which blocks did they use for their algorithm? Does it matter which order they go in? Why? How did they debug their algorithms? What changes did they have to make? Can anyone explain why the birds turn? (using a bike pedals and chain is a good way to explain it)
If possible, leave the models built for next week’s lesson.