ROVer ranch: a 3-D learning environment for K-12

ABSTRACT

The ROVer Ranch is an online NASA project for K-12 students to learn about robotics engineering. The students assume a mission engineer's role to design, build and test a robot in a 3-D mission simulator. Students activities are structured along the lines of the scientific method as they discover the what, why and how of robotics. The activities are presented in a variety of ways so educators can use different teaching methods with their students.The ROVer Ranch is sponsored by the NASA Learning Technologies Project (LTP), which is an Internet-based distance learning initiative that combines NASA research and advanced Internet technologies to create unique science learning environments. Technologies such as streaming media, real-time interactive gaming, 3-D simulations and remote manipulation of scientific instruments are some of the methods the LTP projects use to convey science lessons and NASA research.

REFERENCES

• 1: BECKER, H. J. 1999. <u>Teaching, Learning and Computing 1998: A National Survey of Schools and Teachers</u>. Center for Research on Information Technology and Organizations (CRITO) <u>http://www.crito.uci.edu/TLC/FINDINGS/internet-use/</u>
• 2: BURNS, K. 2001. <u>Robotic Design for the Classroom</u>. 24th Annual Professional Development Conference, Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented
• 3: Thomas K. Glennan , Arthur Melmed, Fostering the use of educational technology: elements of a national strategy, RAND, Santa Monica, CA, 1996
• 4: GRABOWSKI, B., MCCARTHY, M., KOSZALKA, T. 1998. <u>Web-Based Instruction and Learning: Analysis and Needs Assessment</u>. NASA Document NASA/TP-1998-206547
• 5: ITEA. 2000 <u>Standards for Technology Literacy. http://www.iteawww.org/TAA/STLstds.htm</u>
• 6: NASA. 2003 <u>Learning Technologies Project http://learn.arc.nasa.gov</u>
• 7: NASA. 2003 <u>Robotics Education Project. http://robotics.nasa.gov</u>
• 8: NASA. 2003 <u>ROVer Ranch: K-12 Experiments in Robotic Software. http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV</u>

INDEX TERMS

Keywords:
3-D, LTP, NASA, ROVer Ranch, distance learning, learning technologies project, robotics