Using BeeBot With Symbols

Having introduced all the kids to the ICT Suite, we're going to start doing some basic control work using a BeeBot. As simple as the BeeBot is to operate in itself, the element of planning, recording and reviewing how we control it is somewhat more complex for our pupils.
So some creative thinking was called for!
I say creative, what I actually did was 'borrow' some communication and scheduling systems that we already use widely through the school.
On the communication side of things there is PECS. If you're not familiar with PECS it is the Picture Exchange Communication System and boils down to using pictures to communicate a want or need. It is more complex than that and is used to build up language skills, but for our BeeBot needs we're just using the basic set up.
The other system we use at Hatton to help show what we're doing throughout the day are Transition Schedules. These use pictures to represent activities and places that the pupil using the schedule will be doing through the day.

So somewhere between these two systems lies our BeeBot symbols. Very simply they are PECS style symbols that represent each of the buttons on BeeBots back and a schedule on which to place them to create a plan of, not just which buttons the pupil will press, but also what BeeBot will be doing. This means that BeeBot's actions can be planned ahead, followed and recorded as the action takes place, reviewed and edited as needed. The folder at the top of this image is used to keep the many symbols in.

Hopefully you can see how the symbols represent the buttons on the BeeBot!







These are the Schedule Boards that the symbols can be stuck to using velcro.






The main advantage to this system, certainly here at Hatton anyway, is that it is a familiar process for the pupils. They will hopefully be able to transfer the skills they already have from class to the BeeBot, meaning we can focus on learning control, rather than a whole new method of planning and recording.

You can download the PDF of the symbols Here and I will add the Schedule strips asap.
If I haven't, or you're having trouble just drop me an e-mail at: dan.plane@redbridge.gov.uk