EdBlocks: Basic Programming for ages 7+

EdBlocks is the basic programming language that Microbric offers with Edison robots to further help students develop computational thinking skills. Children leverage the drag and drop programming with pictures to program Edison robots to perform many functions including: moving on clap command, following a line, waiting for a stimulus (like light or clap) to continue a program, making noises (can even choose different notes!) and so much more! The best part is, the EdBlocks Programming App is available using the Chrome Browser and doesn't even require an additional app! 

Lesson Examples:

So how do we know what to do with our students? Great question! Fortunately, Microbric offers free resources including a student activity book and teacher resource (below).

So what kinds of tasks can students do to work on their computational thinking? Another good question! Some lessons include:

• Programming Edison to follow a path they create and reflecting on how they could change speed as well as what happens when you change the speed.

• Programming Edison to stop at a black line and reflecting on what happens and why when it approaches a green, red, and blue line instead.

• Programming Edison to avoid obstacles and reflecting on why it works with some things and not others

Resources:

So where do we find these great resources? Good question! If you go to Edison's website you can find many wonderful resources! Best yet, the resources are FREE! It doesn't get much better than that! There is also a page (below) that provides you an activity mat that you can use with the Edison robots. They suggest to print it off at a local shop to get it done right but if you are savvy I bet you can figure it out on your own (I honestly haven't yet but my printing skills are not as strong as yours may be).

If you are anything like me, you are hoping that the person designing this site is nice enough to provide you links to the resources you want rather than expecting you to find them all yourself... Good news! Check out the links below to find out just where to go!

EdBlocks Programming App

EdBlocks Activity Book

EdBlocks Block Guide

EdBlocks Teacher Guide

Main section on EdBlocks