Browsing by Author "Kenzhekey Zh.K."

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    Using LEGO MINDSTORMS in school education
    (Faculty of Engineering and Natural Science, 2013) Kenzhekey Zh.K.
    Nowadays problem of teaching is the question how to engage students in the process of learning new material with an enthusiasm. Reason to this may be different factors such as students’ disinterest or, in most cases, laziness or passiveness. Schools may keep on teaching the same material taken from library year by year, but at some moment, this material will not be the only way to make people study it. When we are used to something for a long time, we will probably get tired of it. Moreover, this is key point of this problem; students need interesting methods of teaching. In this work, I present my vision of teaching physics by using LEGO MINDSTORMS. Students have difficulty learning for learning’s sake, especially in physics classrooms. When they have an applied, real world challenge such as an engineering problem to solve or a novel science investigation .to perform, students thrive, exhibiting a great deal of enthusiasm and ownership. Allowing them to solve problems without concrete answer on an answer sheet, students learn to turn on their confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Well-designed activities using robotics give students rich opportunities to write about their ideas: utilize mathematical tools and represent their findings via mathematical models. Using 3D artifacts, robotics, other construction leads students to active work. Additionally, many students are familiar with LEGO, their modular design allows for multiple solutions to a given assignment, and the sensors and motors that are compatible with LEGO MINDSTORMS allows high school physics students to engage in a very diverse set of engineering and science activities. Using LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics activities to teach physics concepts creates an effective learning environment for conceptual knowledge development through the process of design, construction and experimental testing. Students have opportunities to develop their teamwork and communication skills and become more independent and confident learners.