Education
Computational Thinking with Ozobot
Breaking a problem down, recognising patterns and testing an approach: with Ozobot you can make thinking steps visible. Explore how you move from an initial plan to a better working solution.
First understand what you want to solve
A plan you can explain
Computational Thinking is the systematic approach to problems so you can formulate a solution using computer technology. In an Ozobot task this starts before you program: what should the robot do, and what information is needed?
You can split a route into parts. Repeating movements can be recognised as patterns. With a test you then check whether the chosen steps produce the desired behaviour.
Abstraction also helps: focus on what matters for the task. For driving a rectangle, sides and turns are important; a drawing next to the route doesn’t need to become a programming step.
From question to a testable approach
Four thinking steps to work with
01 — Break the problem down
For example, split a rectangle task into straight segments, turns and light changes. This breaking down is called decomposition.
02 — Recognise patterns
Which tasks reoccur? Find a repeating part of the route and see if you can describe it as a single sequence.
03 — Devise steps
Write down what comes first and what comes next. Such an ordered sequence of instructions is called an algorithm.
04 — Test and improve
Let the robot run, compare the result with your plan and change one part. Then test again.
From plan to robot
The OzoBlockly lesson ‘Make a rectangle’ is a concrete starting point. Below is one possible approach. The route image illustrates working with Ozobot on the table.
01
Task
Drive a rectangle with light changes.
02
Plan
Determine sides, turns and colours.
03
Program
Turn the plan into blocks in OzoBlockly.
04
Robot behaviour
See where the robot drives and changes lights.
05
Test
Compare each side with your plan.
06
Improvement
Adjust the deviating step and test again.
Unexpected behavior gives you something to investigate
What happens when it doesn't work?
Stop at the first deviation: where did you expect a turn, light change or different speed? Check the relevant instruction and also inspect the execution, such as the drawn line or the color code.
Choose one possible cause and change one thing. Run the same test again and note the difference. That targeted searching, adjusting and retrying is called debugging.
Have students explain what they saw and why they changed something. Even a test that doesn't confirm your expectation can help sharpen the next question.
Programming makes your thinking steps visible
You can first draw, tell or describe an approach in separate steps. Programming then helps you investigate whether that approach is executable. The discussion about your choices is part of the activity.
Color Code programming, Block-based coding and, where appropriate, Python offer different ways to carry out a plan. On the Programming with Ozobot page you can read which software belongs with which robot.
A robot for your activity
Choose based on what you want the robot to do and which software you’ll use. The cards show the options per model; the lesson resource determines which robot you need for that specific task.
Ozobot Bit+
Use color codes or OzoBlockly to test a sequence and investigate recurring instructions.
Color Code programming · Block-based coding
Software: OzoBlockly
Discover Ozobot Bit+
Ozobot Evo
Make an approach visible with movement or light, and investigate what changing your program does.
Color Code programming · Block-based coding · Python programming
Software: Ozobot Editor
Discover Ozobot Evo
Ozobot Ari
Execute a plan with Ozobot Editor or Python and compare the robot’s behavior with the previously described steps.
Color Code programming · Block-based coding · Python programming
Software: Ozobot Editor
Discover Ozobot AriDiscover more educational themes
Applications by education level
See how you translate Computational Thinking into activities for primary and secondary education.