Dash & Dot are two Robots that are used with children to practice coding. Dash and Dot communicate and work together, they even talk with each other! Dash is a mobile robot, where as Dot is stationary. Both robots are controlled through apps that can be accessed through an iPad or a tablet. There are a variety of apps that can be used with Dash & Dot, including: Go for Dash & Dot Robots, Xylo for Dash & Dot Robots, Path for Dash and Dot Robots, Blockly for Dash and Dot Robots, and Wonder for Dash & Dot Robots. Through each app, students use sequences and patterns to make Dash or Dot complete a task. These robots are a great, interactive way to allow students to start coding. Having Dash and Dot communicate and work together is a nice example for students on how to work with each other. When playing with Dash and Dot, students find it more enjoyable to work together, building a strong sense of collaboration. Like any robots, Dash and Dot can sometimes have a mind of their own. If Dash and Dot are in the same room charging, they may suddenly start talking to each other and they won’t stop! Sometimes, they also do not want to turn off. Even if you press the power button, Dash & Dot will suddenly turn back on! Neil Bennett (2017) says, “[Children] may find learning and coding with something that physically responds more interesting than working purely in an app.” Bennett also notes the side effects of using Dash and Dot; be aware of the space and surface in which Dash and Dot are being used, as both can cause malfunctions. Dash and Dot are great resources to use, especially if you are in a pre-school/kindergarten environment and are just trying to introduce the basics of coding.
References: Bennett, N. (2017, Oct., 6) Dash Robot Review. Retrieved from https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/review/accessories/dash-robot-review-3665000/ |
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