2Control NXT in Scotland Niall MacKinnon from Plockton Primary, a small rural primary school in the North West Highlands of Scotland, tells us about the school’s use of 2Control NXT. Early this year, we started using LEGO NXT hardware with 2Simple’s 2Control for a multi-composite class project with children aged 6 to 11. We found the LEGO kit well presented and packaged, with clear labelling; the look and feel of 2Control is clear and uncluttered, while complementing the sophisticated hardware. The training videos are instantly replayed at the click of a mouse and are easily accessible and to-the-point. As a result, the children could easily find their way through the tasks, and were excited by them. Putting together traffic lights proved popular, with the children learning to attach lights to the cables and brick and investigating the role of the brick as the central processor. Various problem solving skills were employed using the practical, hands on kit that is accessible without being simplistic.
Questions and extension tasks included: •
How long was the red stop light on?
•
Build a model in which the green and red are switched on for the same length of time.
•
Program the lights so that the amber light is only on for a quarter of the time of the red.
The combination of maths and technological challenges created a fun learning experience! The children also really enjoyed programming sequences for a purpose (e.g. managing roadworks) having had these tasks set on the interactive whiteboard, and the combination of modelling and simulation through software is central to most technological applications today. The kit also comes with very clear instructions for assembling a robot in a logical sequence. The children collaborated to make sense of the diagrams and this became a very useful educational challenge. 2Simple Software, Enterprise House, 2 The Crest, Hendon, London NW4 2HN • Tel: (020) 8203 1781 Fax: (020) 8202 6370 • info@2simple.com • www.2simple.com • www.2simpleshop.com
2Control NXT in Scotland The concentration shown was profound, and the children formed natural groups with project managers, advisers and assistants. Some led the process, others puzzled out a particular element, organised the equipment or assembled sub-components, demonstrating a wide variety of organisational, directional and decision making skills and effectively simulating real world project management. Design tasks and robot functions can be simulated and set up on a whiteboard, and the children loved following the tasks. What looks ordered and linear from an adult’s point of view soon takes on another dimension in the hands of a child. Using 2Control NXT, they programmed all manner of paths, obstructions and routes, learning not to give the robot too narrow a turning circle or stopping it from moving at all by flooding the screen with obstacles! An on-screen obstacle stops the actual robot moving, triggering a grunting noise of effort instead. Routes quickly improved, and now the children are very adept at moving the robot around, even scoring a goal in robotic football. The next step? Using the sensors to add a new dimension to tasks. We are hugely enjoying this sophisticated kit and accessible software interface for younger learners. To order 2Control NXT and the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT hardware, please fill in the form below and return it to us at the address at the bottom of this flier. For further information, please contact us on 020 8203 1781 or email: info@2simple.com
2Control NXT - available on 30 day approval 1 computer: £39 5 computers: £79
10 computers: £120 20 computers: £199
Site licence: £299
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All prices subject to VAT at 17.5% and delivery where applicable.
LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT 1-4 sets: £178 per set 5+ sets: £168 per set Number of sets required:_____
Each set includes.............................
1 x LEGO kit
1 x transformer/charger
Postage, packing + delivery
(worth £163.50)
(worth £7)
(worth £7.50)
School: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Postcode: ____________ Phone: _________________ email: _________________________________________ Contact name: ______________________ Position: _________________ Signature: _____________________ Purchase Order no. ____________________________ 2Simple Software, Enterprise House, 2 The Crest, Hendon, London NW4 2HN • Tel: (020) 8203 1781 Fax: (020) 8202 6370 • info@2simple.com • www.2simple.com • www.2simpleshop.com
PLOCKTON