UNISA Short Course in I-SET Robotics Components and Pedagogy

Short Course in I-SET Robotics Components and Pedagogy (76820)Purpose

The purpose of the course is to equip coaches/mentor and or community leaders to coach/mentor a robotics team. The Basics module introduces the engineering, programming, resources and pedagogy related to the teaching and learning of robotics.

Target group

Educators and community leaders who require the relevant knowledge and skill to present robotics in education. Currently there is no formal module where this knowledge and skill are presented, taught and explored in a comprehensive, coherent and structured format.Admission requirements

Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF level 4 qualification. Applicants require basic computer literacy skills and internet access. A teaching qualification is recommended, however not mandatory.

Semester (15 weeks) per module
 Language medium

English
 Registration periods

The module is presented for a semester (of 15 weeks). It is presented in both semesters. For more information about the registrations visit http://cs-cert.unisa.ac.za or e-mail address: cense@unisa.ac.za
 
 Tuition method

This module is fully online.
 
 Kind of assessment

Formative assessment of students will provide opportunities for improvement. The mode of assignments will be fully online, using a variety of assessment methods (including activities, self-assessment, and projects). These assignments will calculate towards a year mark that counts 50% of the final mark.
Summative Assessment will be the compulsory submission of a portfolio of evidence. The nature of the examination will be a portfolio-as-exam. The exam mark obtained will weight 50% towards the final mark. The sub-minimum mark required for a supplementary exam event will be 40%, with another exam opportunity used (as agreed) without repeat enrolment.
 Robotics in Education – Basics (CSR0B1E)Syllabus/Content Topics

Orientation and awareness of available robotics concepts and resources

Identify the understanding of robotics within a classroom, and the range of resources, including Open Education Resources (OERs) that can be used.

Identify the robotics components and the functionality thereof.

Exploration and implementation of engineering and technology concepts used in robotics

Explore the engineering structures used in robotics, and identify and develop the motion options for a robot.

Identify and develop gear options required.

Identify the attachments required for a specific function. – Passive and powered.

Identify the sense input, the process and the output, and the use of flowcharts to analyze the problem.

Exploration and implementation of programming and problem-solving constructs used in robotics.

Explore the programming constructs used to vary the motion of a robot, specifically with reference to sensor motion of the robot.

Explore the use of decision making in the programming of the robot.

Explore the use of repetition and looping.

Explore the use of sub-routines.

Practical implementation of the use of robotics in education to promote science, engineering and technology

Explore the options for the deployment of robotics in education, with reference to the current relevant literature.

Characteristics of a good teacher

Teaching methodologies

Teacher as assessor

Explore the pedagogy required to teach robotics to learners.

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 Robotics in Education – Advanced (CSR0B2E)Syllabus/Content Topics

Practical implementation of debugging and fault finding in existing robotics. 
Explore the use of incremental development of programs.
Explore the use of structures in the development of efficient robotic structures
Explore the use of programming concepts in the development of efficient robotic programs.
Explore the use of program testing methods in the development of efficient robotic programs.
 
Exploration and implementation of advanced engineering and technology concepts used in robotics
Explore engineering concept 1 and their relevance to robotics.
Explore engineering concept 2 and their relevance to robotics.
Explore engineering concept 3 and their relevance to robotics.
Implementation of an engineering concept – mini project
 
Exploration and implementation of advanced programming constructs used in robotics.
Explore the programming of multiple variables and constants..
Explore the programming of multiple inputs from multiple sensors.
Explore the programming of multiple outputs to multiple motors. Implementation of programming concepts – mini-project
 
Exploration and implementation of problem-solving techniques used in robotics challenges.
Explore the problem and the constraints.
Explore the solution.
Implement and test a solution.
 Robotics in Education – Specialized(Not offered in 2015) (CSR0B3E)Syllabus/Content Topics

Practical implementation of high-tech sensing in robotics. 
Explore the functionality that requires the use of high-tech sensors.
Explore the structures required for the use of high-tech sensors.
Explore the programming structures that are required to implement high-tech sensors.
Explore testing methods for development of high-tech functionality.
 
Exploration of programming and problem-solving constructs used in robotics.
Explore the mapping of conceptual to more abstract programming along the programming continuum to Robot C.
Explore the use of decision making in the programming of the robot.
Explore the use of repetition and looping.
Explore the use of sub-routines.
 
Exploration and research of robotics and SET – with specific application to a Science, Engineering or Technology field of specialty.
 
Exploration of options for the extension of robotics education.
Options for implementation and extension
Explore real-world application options.Explore options for the use of research in implementation of robotics.
 Course leader

Mrs PM Gouws MSc (Information Systems) Registered PhD.
Senior Lecturer: School of Computing – College of Science, Engineering and Technology, UNISA (TvW 8-61)
Coordinator: Inspired Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET) CSET Community Engagement Flagship project
Tel: 012 429 6866
Cell: 082 354 2289
E-mail: gouwspm@unisa.ac.za
 Programme administrator(s)

Ms E Havenga
School of Computing
TvW 8-39
012-429-6089
E-mail: havene@unisa.ac.za