Firstly, I was surprised that coding is taught in primary schools now as I did not learn how to code in either primary or secondary school.

Upon introduction to the Beebots and how they work, I realised their value for Infant classes as an intoduction to coding, a science which many students will use in the future at secondary level  or even decide to  study at 3rd Level. BeeBots are basic enough for the students at infant level to understand their commands e.g. forwards, backwards, stop, go etc, making coding a fun and manageable new skill for the children to acquire.

Left 

Right

Forward

Stop 

Clear 

Backwards

Beebots going around an obstacle (enactive stage of Bruner's constructivist theory )

Using Beebots in Maths 

- Beebots can be an excellent tool for introducing counting and number lines e.g. You must press the forward button 4 times to get from 1-5.

- They could also be used in introducing perimeter in senior classes, getting the Beebot to trace the length and width of a square etc.

- Estimation is another topic which can incorporate Beebots. The students can estimate how many times you have to press forward to get to and from an obstacle.

- Shape and Space Strand Mathematics Primary Curriculum

Using Beebots in Science

- Have a grid showing the planets of the Solar System and ask the children to go from the planet closest to the Sun to furthest from the Sun, hottest to coldest, smallest to biggest etc.

- Computer Science is a growing industry and many choose to do a degree in it at 3rd level. Having knowledge of coding from as young as Infant level gives children a great advantage in the future.

Using Beebots to improve literacy 

- In class, we used a story mat of a map and programmed our Beebots to go from place to place on it.

- Using a map, the children could create a story of the adventure their Beebot went on and retell it to their classmates.

- By writing this story, their literacy is improved as well as their storytelling skills in a fun and interactive way.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZQkoNKXkPwUA-59WsE-R-TC9LCTMfugp/view?usp=sharing

Using Beebots in Physical Education

- Students could follow the same path as their Beebots hopping from place to place on a map.

- Hopscotch- The children could play hopscotch with their Beebot, programming it to copy the moves they make eg. 2 moves forwards and left.

- Beebot dancing - The children could create a dance in groups and practice it themselves. They could then plan out and program their Beebot to copy their dance.