IMS’ Amazing Learning Unit
“Bring creativity to your classroom (…) The activities cover content in the areas of math, science, technology and engineering, as well as language arts and literacy (…) Students of any age can build a robot, and age-appropriate robotic sets are available for every grade level. Each set contains the parts needed to build a fully functioning robot (…) Easy graphical programing is available at all age levels (…) Connect with other educators, coaches and enthusiasts (…) Create innovative projects.”
“Lego Education” brochures.
See more pictures on Flickr.
These are A.L.U., the Amazing Learning Units, part of a proof of concept initiative showcasing interactive robotics and rich communication systems. This is an open innovation project in partnership with Lego and IMSA, the Illinois Math & Science Academy.
We leveraged Lego Mindstorms as a rapid prototyping tool to deliver a mobile sensing network that augments children’s learning environment. A.L.U.’s first public demonstration was successfully showcased at Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress just last month. Here is the supporting presentation:
What follows are tree basic use cases to begin with:
- Slides 4-7: Laia is in Barcelona playing with a doll, which A.L.U. #1’s senses and identifies of that of an astronaut. Note that Laia did not have to do anything, but just playing with the doll. Based on Laia’s profile and context, A.L.U. #1 delivers age appropriate interactive online activities for her to learn more about space exploration.
- Slides 8-9: Moreover, Patrick, who is in Boston, also happens to be engaged in a similar activity at that same time. Laia and Patrick are part of a secure learning circle set up by sister schools. They share interests and learning levels. A.L.U. #1 and #2 get connected to enable Laia and Patrick to see each other, play and learn together online.
- Slides 10-11: Parents and educators receive meaningful analytics on their kids’ learning activities on a secure website. They can also join the ongoing session to play and coach the kids from their phones, tablets, laptops, desktops and TVs, whichever is more convenient for them.
Thanks to Lego’s inherit versatility, each A.L.U. can be personalized, which is also the case for the online activities and overall communications system.
This proof of concept research project is part of a larger study on how to foster collaboration and innovativeness in our schools, aiming to take down the physical barriers that limit what children can learn in today’s classrooms. We welcome your feedback.
Here is a sample of emerging technologies and concepts being researched:
- Mobile sensing networks
- Internet of things
- Robotics
- Rich communication systems
- Subscriber data management
- Contextual awareness and personalization
- Social media and networks
- Analytics
- Augmented reality
About IMSA: a world class high school nurturing creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. IMSA also advances education through research, groundbreaking ventures and strategic partnerships. Faculty members include Presidential Award winners, National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certified faculty, distinguished authors and fellowship recipients. All faculty have advanced degrees, with 51% holding doctorate degrees. In 1998, Nobel Laureate Dr. Leon Lederman became the inaugural Resident Scholar at IMSA.
About Lego Mindstorms: education sets, software, and activities leveraged as powerful tools that convers your classroom into a hands-on robotics laboratory. Your students will model real-life mechanisms and use creativity, logic, and problem solving skills to meet challenges while learning necessary science, technology, engineering, and math concepts.
About Alcatel-Lucent: leader in mobile, fixed, IP and Optics technologies, and a pioneer in applications and services operating in 130+ countries. Alcatel-Lucent includes Bell Labs, one of the world’s foremost centers of research and innovation in communications technology.
