OZOBOTS

Are you looking for a simple way to add more instructional technology into your school or classroom...Ozobots could be your answer!. These tiny little codable robots are so easy my two toddlers have them on and cruising on code within minutes. I have experience with the smaller and cheaper version the Bit (left image), but there is a more advanced Evo (right image) available now as well.The bit is about $60 but I have seen it on sale for $45 and the Evo is usually $99 but sale price was $75.  I always check the ozobot official website for new bots and accessories.

When I used them I found some great activities in the ozobot education page.  Since I taught 2nd and 3rd graders, I used the 3-5 beginners guide I found.  Always begin with calibration on paper followed by color coding with markers. I followed most of this guide and taught the kids how draw thick consistent lines, corners and paths ways for the Ozo Bit to follow.  I then moved into adding blocks of color code.  This was tricky more many of the kids because free draw with blocks of code needs to be of similar size and shape..like this:

Then I just let them free play, and they LOVED it!  They created towns and made up points for various places Ozo visited.  They made race tracks and even went bowling with them.

When I use these in my classroom, I plan on providing them with a challenge to build classroom management at the beginning of the year.  Like, can you get Ozo to school and home again with only 3 pieces of code? Or as a scavenger hunt around the room.  Can you code Ozo to get the the smartboard and back to your desk?  I also can't wait to try it as a retelling piece for reading comprehension and as a math fact tool too.  Check back in the fall when I implement those ideas for pictures :)

Keep it up buttercup