Using Lego Education WeDo equipment with the … · Using Lego Education WeDo equipment with the...
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Using Lego Education WeDo equipment with the Sound Monitor. Schools which have access to the Lego Education WeDo motor and hub can provide this for pupils to use as an output for their sound monitors. For example the motor could be used to spin a warning flag when the noise is too great, either in addition to, or instead of, an output on screen. Notes on incorporating Lego Education WeDo equipment within this activity appear below, with guidance on installing the Lego Education WeDo extension software at the end of this document. If schools choose to use this equipment in this activity, it is assumed that pupils will be reasonably familiar with the Lego motor and hub from the KS2: Work with outputs activity. Incorporating the motor into the sound monitor design ● Before pupils design their sound monitors, if appropriate, remind them of when they used the motor and hub whilst investigating outputs. Explain to pupils that they can use this equipment as an output for their sound monitor, if they wish. ● Ask pairs of pupils to discuss how they might use the motor as an output and share a selection of ideas. Ideas might include to spin or wave a flag when the sound level is too great, or to raise a sign saying ‘Too Loud’ for example. Links to two example Scratch files using the Lego Education WeDo motor commands appear below and are available to download from the sound monitor lesson plan web page. If required, these can be shown to pupils to encourage them to think of ways in which to use the motor as an output. ● When pupils create their sound monitor designs they should indicate how they plan to use the motor and hub and include this in their algorithm. They might also be able to recall some of the motor block commands that they think they may need to program their sound monitors and jot these down, as shown in the example below.
Transcript of Using Lego Education WeDo equipment with the … · Using Lego Education WeDo equipment with the...
Using Lego Education WeDo equipment with the Sound Monitor. Schools which have access to the Lego Education WeDo motor and hub can provide this for pupils to use as an output for their sound monitors. For example the motor could be used to spin a warning flag when the noise is too great, either in addition to, or instead of, an output on screen. Notes on incorporating Lego Education WeDo equipment within this activity appear below, with guidance on installing the Lego Education WeDo extension software at the end of this document. If schools choose to use this equipment in this activity, it is assumed that pupils will be reasonably familiar with the Lego motor and hub from the KS2: Work with outputs activity.
Incorporating the motor into the sound monitor design ● Before pupils design their sound monitors, if appropriate, remind them of when they
used the motor and hub whilst investigating outputs. Explain to pupils that they can use this equipment as an output for their sound monitor, if they wish.
● Ask pairs of pupils to discuss how they might use the motor as an output and share a selection of ideas. Ideas might include to spin or wave a flag when the sound level is too great, or to raise a sign saying ‘Too Loud’ for example. Links to two example Scratch files using the Lego Education WeDo motor commands appear below and are available to download from the sound monitor lesson plan web page. If required, these can be shown to pupils to encourage them to think of ways in which to use the motor as an output.
● When pupils create their sound monitor designs they should indicate how they plan to use the motor and hub and include this in their algorithm. They might also be able to recall some of the motor block commands that they think they may need to program their sound monitors and jot these down, as shown in the example below.
Example of pupils’ sound monitor design showing use of motor output
Building their sound monitor outputs ● You will need to provide additional time and resources for pupils to construct the motor
output of their sound monitors. For example, pupils might want to build a rotating ‘Too loud’ sign, flag or similar.
Examples Scratch files The following Scratch files are examples of how the motor blocks can be used to generate movement in the motor as an output for the sound monitor. If required, these can be used to support pupils in thinking about how they could use this movement as an output in their sound monitor. Varying motor power: http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/36138120/ This Scratch program sets the power of the motor to the value of loudness, causing the motor to rotate quicker as the volume increases. A screenshot of the code for this program appears below.
The code for a program that sets the power of the motor equal to the value of loudness.
Motor on/off: http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/36137478/ The Scratch file above is for a program in which the motor switches on when loudness reaches a certain level and off when it falls below this level again. A screenshot of the code for this program appears below.
The code for a program that switches the motor on when loudness reaches a set value (in this example greater than 10).
Scratch Lego Education WeDo installation instructions Introduction When using Lego Education WeDo motor (or sensors) with Scratch you need to install an extension (extra software) onto your computer. You will normally need administrator rights to do this. The extension is needed whether you are using the online version of 2.0 or the downloaded version. Note in Scratch 2.0 the commands to control Lego Education WeDo input and output devices are in the ‘More Blocks Scripts’ whereas in 1.4 the commands are in ‘Sensing’ and ‘Motion’.
How to install the Lego Education WeDo extension in Scratch 1.4 1. Open Scratch 2. Connect a Lego Wedo to your computer the device driver should automatically install. 3. The Motor blocks should appear, if not click on Edit and ‘Show Motor Blocks’
If the motor blocks do not show, select ‘Edit’ then ‘Show motor blocks’.
Scratch 1.4 motor blocks for controlling a motor output device.
How to install the Lego Education WeDo extension in Scratch 2.0 1. Log on to Scratch online or open Scratch 2. 2. Click on the ‘More Blocks’ tab and click ‘Add an Extension’ .
Select ‘More blocks’ then ‘Add an extension’
3. Follow the link shown in the ‘Tips’ that appear on the right hand side to download the PlugIn.
Note the tips can be hidden click on the ‘?’ on the right hand side below ‘See project page’.
Tip information follow the link to install the PlugIn.
4. Click on the Lego WeDo image in the extension library and click ‘OK’.
Select the Lego Education WeDo extension.
5. Find the file in your downloads folder and double click on it / double click on the plugin installer.
Mac (left) and Windows (right) screenshots.
6. Follow the instructions given by your computer.
Mac (left) and Windows (right) screenshots.
7. Plug in your Lego Education WeDo equipment and you should see the light change from red or yellow to green in Scratch. You may need to restart your browser.
