Blocks v Python

 

Assembling the mBot

 We took apart the mBots into all the pieces that make it. We are doing this to understand how to fix it if it goes wrong while we are using it.

These are all the parts of the mBot.

We then put the mBot back together.

We then needed to test the movement of the mBot to make sure we had put it together properly.

This is the mBot running correctly using this code. If the left and right were wrong when we tested it, we would have had to switch the two power cables around to the motors.

Playing with the Microbits

Learning Intention: To learn how to code with simple blocks and to transfer the code from the Chromebook to the Microbit.

First of all, we coded the microbit to show a flashing heart.

We put two show led blocks inside a forever block. The microbit shows the leds that are lit on the block. They will flash between one block and the other forever as both blocks are inside a forever block.

We then coded the buttons on the microbit to do different actions according to which button has been pressed.

When we use the blocks for coding the buttons, they have a drop down to choose which button. This is called a variable.

Making the mBot Move in a Square Shape

 

We used a move forward block and a turn left block. We had to adjust the power and time on the turn left block until we got it to move to 90 degrees. This is called ITERATION, when you make small changes to your code to improve it.

When it was correct, we put it in a repeat block to do the same actions 4 times to make a square.

Coding with Python

 Learning Intention

To see and understand the connection between the written code, the block code and the flow chart.

This is the comparison between the Python coding, the blocks and the flowchart for making the Microbit act like a dice.

Flow Charts and Radio Chat

 Learning Intentions

To understand how flowcharts relate to coding blocks.

To understand how to get the microbit to talk to another microbit using radio signals.

Here is my flowchart practice document.

Link to DLO

The next activity today was coding the microbit to send a radio signal to another microbit. We had to make sure that both microbits were on the same group number so we didn't accidentally get a message from another group.

Robotics in the Stars

 Learning Intention

To try and get the mBot to draw a star shape for Matariki.

Coding in Python

 Learning Intention

To learn how to code the Microbit in Python.

This first one shows the Python coding for a flashing heart. It flashes between a small heart icon and a large heart icon. The main thing to notice between the Python coding and the blocks is that the forever loop is at the top and bottom of the content in both.

For this example for coding the buttons, the main thing to notice is the "def" which is defining what the on_button_pressed will make the microbit do. Again this has a top and bottom so the content has to go inside it.

Rock Paper Scissors

 Learning Intention

To learn how to code the microbit to play rock paper scissors and understand how the flowchart matches the code.

Link to DLO

1. When I shake the microbit, it will choose a random number between 1 and 3
2. I have to make a variable called hand and set this to the random number
3. If the number is 1 - the microbit will show the symbol for paper
4. If the number is 2 - the microbit will show the symbol for rock 
5. If the number is 3 - the microbit will show the symbol for scissors

Flowcharts and Dice

 Learning Intention - To learn how to use flowcharts to plan coding.

Link Google Drawing

Building an mBot

 Learning Intention - To understand how the mBot is put together so that I can fix it when something goes wrong.

Today, we took an mBot apart and then reassembled it. We then tested it with some code to make sure that it worked correctly.

Here are the parts of the mBot that I took apart.

Here is the reassembled mBot

Here is the code that I used to test that it worked.

Being a Jedi in Coding

 

Learning Intention

To code the robot to move backwards without touching it - to be a Jedi

My robot will wait until I have pressed the onboard button before it does anything.

We used an "IF - THEN - ELSE" block, as this gives the robot two choices of things to do.

We are using the ULTRASONIC SENSOR on the front of the robot and we need to sense if something is 10cm in front of it..

IF something is 10cm or LESS in front of the robot, it will move backwards.

IF something is NOT less than 10 cm in front of the robot, it will move forwards (ELSE).

This is all put into a forever block so that the robot constantly senses what is in front of it.