This month I have been focusing on presenting my class with Ozobot Challenges.  Each challenge so far has been organized around a simple rectangle.  Using color code stickers, the students attempted to get the Ozobot around the rectangle in either the fastest time (Challenge #1) or the slowest time (Challenge #2).

Collaboration Crab

Afterwards, I had them fill in the COVER reflection questions on Google Form.  I updated the form to include our two new mascots: Collaboration Crab and Experimentation Elephant (my class enjoys alliteration).

My goal now is to adjust the challenges in two ways.  First, I want to try to laminate the Ozobot mats.  I think the students will experiment more with their solutions, if they are able to remove and reapply their color code stickers.  On paper, the stickers were more permanent and harder to move.

Experimentation Elephant

Secondly, I would like to move away from -est type challenges (like fastest or slowest).  This tended to make the students competitive against other groups rather than focusing on their processing during the task.  My next task will focus more upon a challenge that the students either accomplish or don't accomplish.  One example is putting a plastic bowling pin in the middle of the rectangle and have them attempt to knock it over (using the line jump codes).  I think those type of challenges will offer better opportunities for the students to practice and reflect upon their COVER skills.

I have seen greater collaboration and willingness to experiment in the students work with Code Monkey challenges, which offer that opportunity to avoid -est and learn from failure.