S2: So easy my 11 year old is doing it!
Oldbitcollector (Jeff)
Posts: 8,091
So Ken made sure that I had access to the S2 so that I can write about it in an upcoming article.
One of the first things I was present one of them to my 11 year old daughter.
Understand that despite what you may think, she isn't into soldering (yet) and doesn't have a degree in Spin programming. (yet) -- As a matter of fact, the S2 will be her first experience with robotics.
The first few days I only turned her onto the S2 itself and the little glossy that is in the box.
I've also tried to limit how much I did, preferring that she "show me" how to make it work.
A few days later I gave her the cable and programmer and installed the GUI into her computer.
With very minimal instruction she is able to understand how to create a program. Starting with making music, pausing, and making the robot move. She isn't totally onto how the sensors work,
but had no problem figuring out how coin-flip decisions work.
Whatever age Parallax has on the box is undoubtedly too old I'm sure..
OBC
One of the first things I was present one of them to my 11 year old daughter.
Understand that despite what you may think, she isn't into soldering (yet) and doesn't have a degree in Spin programming. (yet) -- As a matter of fact, the S2 will be her first experience with robotics.
The first few days I only turned her onto the S2 itself and the little glossy that is in the box.
I've also tried to limit how much I did, preferring that she "show me" how to make it work.
A few days later I gave her the cable and programmer and installed the GUI into her computer.
With very minimal instruction she is able to understand how to create a program. Starting with making music, pausing, and making the robot move. She isn't totally onto how the sensors work,
but had no problem figuring out how coin-flip decisions work.
Whatever age Parallax has on the box is undoubtedly too old I'm sure..
OBC
Comments
Also on the First Programs pdf (Scribbler - not yet for S2) there are some great starter programs. See Song on page 16 is really cool for learning about sensors and observing them to direct the program in a particular way. See http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/robo/scribbler/SGPG-FirstPrograms-v1.0.pdf