Week 6: Analysis and Programming prep

This week focused on reflecting on the effectiveness of the curriculum through data and preparing for the next stage of instruction.

I spent time analyzing data from previous LEGO-based classes and comparing it to the results from this week’s session using the new robotics kit. The goal was to better understand how a more hands-on, open-ended approach impacts student engagement and confidence. From initial observations, students in this week’s class showed greater independence during the build process and were more willing to troubleshoot problems on their own rather than immediately asking for help. In contrast, the LEGO-based classes often relied more on step-by-step guidance.

Alongside data analysis, I began preparing for next Saturday’s class, which will focus on programming. This involves organizing lesson materials, refining examples, and ensuring that the robot code is structured in a way that is easy for students to understand and modify. Since programming can be more abstract than building, I am focusing on connecting code directly to the robot’s physical actions so students can clearly see cause and effect.

I am also working on pacing for the lesson to make sure students have enough time to experiment without feeling rushed. The goal is to maintain the same level of independence and curiosity seen in the build session, but now applied to coding. Based off last week, I realized I can make the class more flexible and give students more room to explore and work together.

This week helped connect the project back to its original purpose: not just building a robot, but evaluating how different teaching approaches impact learning. I’m looking forward to seeing how students engage with programming in the next session and how their confidence continues to develop.

Stay Tuned!