Practical Techniques for Debugging with VEX 123 in the Elementary Classroom
In this final article of our series on Debugging by Design, we will explore practical techniques for elementary teachers to employ VEX 123 as a tool for teaching debugging strategies. Building upon the foundational concepts discussed in the previous articles, let's delve into actionable steps educators can take to integrate these principles into their classrooms.
Technique 1: The Intentional Bug Hunt
- Have students design a simple robot task using VEX 123, such as navigating a maze or following a line.
- Instruct each group to intentionally introduce a bug into their robot's code or setup.
- Swap projects between groups, challenging each to identify and fix the intentional bugs.
- After the activity, hold a discussion about the bugs introduced, solutions found, and the thought processes behind them.
Technique 2: Robot Set-up Challenges
- Provide students with a pre-programmed VEX 123 robot that has a specific task, like following a line.
- Alter the robot's physical setup to prevent it from completing the task correctly.
- Ask students to identify and correct the physical setup issues without altering the code.
- Facilitate a group reflection on the challenges faced and how students overcame them.
Technique 3: Code Comparison
- Provide students with two versions of code for a particular VEX 123 task: one that works correctly and another with intentional bugs.
- Ask students to identify differences between the two code versions and hypothesize how each difference might affect the robot's performance.
- Test each hypothesis by running the buggy code version and making incremental corrections based on the working code.
- Conclude with a discussion on the debugging strategies employed and the insights gained.
In essence, the Debugging by Design approach, combined with the hands-on nature of VEX 123, offers a rich environment for students to actively construct their understanding of debugging. By implementing these techniques, educators can provide meaningful learning experiences that not only hone students' debugging skills but also nurture their problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
View the previous article in this series: Constructivism in Debugging: Why It Matters.
View the first article in this series: Debugging by Design: Cultivating a Classroom Culture for Debugging.