Tech-Ed with Mr. Ryan

a)      The ultimate goal in a technology classroom is to promote technological literacy. ITEEA's standards for technological literacy can be explored through the incorporation of a robotics program in the tech-ed curriculum. The rate of technological change in our society is accelerating. The pace of this technological progress surpasses the human ability to even understand the complexities of the technological world we were born into. Artificial intelligence, automation, the internet, and our ability to expand the computing power of semiconductors into ever smaller circuits has surely created a technological ecology where robotics will flourish. Using robotics in the tech-ed classroom provides a great launching point from which to study the STL. No one knows exactly what the future will bring but the present trends indicate that robotics will play an increasingly important role in the future of developed societies. By engaging students of technology with robotics they will be better prepared to actively shape their future society through a deeper understanding of robotics.

Course Description, Goals, & Options:

Autodesk's VEX Robotics Curriculum is divided up into twelve primary units and one optional unit. In a flexible format, students learn about engineering and engineering problem solving. They will be given introductions to the VEX Robotics Design System and Autodesk® Inventor® while learning key STEM principles through a process that captures the excitement and engagement of robotics competition. The curriculum is heavily focused on mechatronic principles; as such, programming is NOT required. However this course is structured in such a way that teachers and students who want to include a more Computer Science heavy layer with the course can do so. For information on the programming options available, consult http://www.vexrobotics.com/programming

b)      Level of equipment for robot design needs