Author(s): Allison Kereliuk

How Do Sphero Robots Support Coding and Engagement?

Spheros are round robots that are able to be coded using laptops or IPads. The sphero app has many available tutorials for students to use to learn how to code. The robots are able to be programmed to move along the ground and have an LED screen which can show colours or animations. The robots also have many sensors including an accelerometer, gyroscope, light sensor, Infrared sensor, and compass. Sphero’s are useful in a classroom because they are effective to get students engaged in coding classrooms. The robots are good at motivating students to create code and see their code in action. There are also a lot of educational resources provided to teachers for free from the sphero EDU app that go through the coding curriculum standards and also some cross curricular lessons with art, science, history, or computer science. One of the great benefits of coding is that it gives students power over their learning and choice in what they make and how they make it. Allowing students to physically see their code impacting how their robots move can increase engagement and confidence in their coding. The addition of sensors in the robots makes them very versatile and increases how they can be used within the science classroom.

How is it used in a classroom setting?

Ensure robots are charged before the lesson and consider trying to pre-download the app onto your devices to prevent any technical issues from impacting the lesson. Teachers should introduce the robots and how they can be used. Set classroom expectations for the robots such as where the robots can be, how they should be shared among students, and when students are expected to stop their robots. ProTip: When trying to connect multiple spheros to devices, take the robots far away from each other so that it is easier to connect them to the intended device. Teachers should then introduce students to the sphero app and have students complete the task of making the sphero roll in a square. There is a tutorial available on the app, or the teacher can teach this through presentations or whiteboard instructions. AFTER students have shown their correct code for rolling in a square teachers can give a robot for the students to connect to. Once students are familiar with the basics of block coding and making the robot roll in a square, students can be challenged with other shapes, adding sound effects, adding colour, or adding animations. After the introductory lesson students are ready for additional coding lessons that are available in the sphero app or projects and labs developed by teachers.

Further resource information:

Cost: 1 robot – $179, 15 robots and BOLT educator guide – $2999 | Optional add ons: Activity mat and coding cards – $180, Colourful covers – $15, BOLT educator guide – $49

URL Link: If online, the URL is: https://edu.sphero.com/downloads | If it’s tangible, a URL to the maker’s website.
https://sphero.com/collections/bolt-plus