Mobile robots as instructional technology tools for CELTS

Computer Engineering 181X and 182X, Computer Engineering and Problem Solving I and II, were designed as pilot courses for Computer Engineering students involved in the new Learning Community within Iowa State University's Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. As a pilot program, the learning community was designed to be flexible, but include subject matter elements of Computer Engineering, at the same time focus on the retention of first year students. As part of the retention effort, mobile robots were incorporated as an instructional technology tool. The Mobile Robots served to teach problem solving, as well as reinforce C Programming, teamwork, and other social skills. The robots also served as a teaching platform for second and third year Computer Engineering concepts. First year Computer Engineering students were introduced to the concepts of Digital Design, Computer Organization, and Embedded Systems. In the flexible environment established for the Learning Community, the students formed teams and assembled the robots. This was not the original intent of the staff, but allowing the students to assemble the robots satisfied their need to build their own mobile computing platform. This paper focuses on the objectives, selection criteria, and exercises associated with using mobile robots as an instructional technology tool for a first year Computer Engineering Learning Community.