ICT AND LEARNING ASSIGNMENT

							    Collaborative Constructionist Teaching & Learning:
                Lego and US, Lego and Me
Description
   1. In groups build and program Lego Mindstorms devices, (“objects to think with”)
       that interact with their environment.
           a. Devices should use more than one sensor and other Mindstorm devices are
               included in the definition of “environment”.
   2. The goal of the items constructed and programs developed should be to respond
       to some clearly defined challenge or task.
   3. Experienced programmers should help scaffold the learning of programming
       concepts by their group mates but only by following the Socratic dictate of asking
       questions.
   4. Each group should produce a digital presentation that reflects upon the
       following:
           a. The group’s experience with how well the technology and the learning
               experience helped explore the underlying pedagogical theories.
           b. Working in a team.
   5. Each individual must produce a digital presentation that reflects upon the
       following.
           a. Your own teaching & learning experience, in terms of the Socratic
               method, problem solving, logic, physical construction and being faced
               with something new.
           b. Working in a team.
   6. The responses under 4.a) and 4.b) must draw upon the individual’s own
       experience of building and programming within the group. Evidence of the
       individual’s work should be provided.
   7. Digital Reflection excludes the use of simple Power Point.

Marking Scheme

      60% Sophistication and inventiveness of the devices built and task
accomplished.
      30% Depth of the individual’s reflection.
      10% Depth of the group’s reflection.


Submission and Demonstration

        All work to be presented in class on Friday the 9th of January between 3 pm and
8 pm. (Earlier demonstrations may be arranged if required.)
        Digital reflections to be loaded to your web portfolio by the same date and URLs
of the individual and group reflections to be e-mailed to Tangney@tcd.ie

Group Formation
       An initial assignment of people to groups has been carried out. Changes should be
negotiated with the course lecturer.