Abstract:

The Institute of Information Management in Mechanical Engineering of the RWTH Aachen University lectures Computer Science on Mechanical Engineering. This lecture is currently being refactored from a general approach covering a broad range of computer science related topics to a new approach concentrating on software engineering. This renovation also affects the affiliated laboratory that aims to teach the fundamentals of object-oriented programming with Java using LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots. Since the evaluation of students feedback on earlier courses showed a clear demand for more self-reliant work on own projects, the new laboratory follows problem based learning. Since previous smaller laboratories and experiences worldwide have shown the attraction of robotics and the improved motivation of students dealing with robots, robotics are the core element.
However,this laboratory is attended by up to 1500 students, and the huge number of students to be dealt with presents a special challenge to a programming laboratory based on robotics. Where in smaller classes students can build their own robots individually, such a setup is infeasible for larger groups of students. We therefore present a problem based learning approach based on a fixed robot setup with prebuild robot models. With standardized models several groups of students can work with the same robot consecutively, leading to a reduced demand for robot sets and storage. With stationary robot models there is no need for reserved testing areas, students can work with the robot directly at their workstations. This also allows to program and debug the robot via usb cable connections instead of wireless bluetooth connections. In mobile szenarios bluetooth is essential for retreaving debug information, However, especially when there are huge numbers of robots, this connection is error-prone.
In this paper we present our approach for a fixed stationary robot setup, exercises and a course schedule feasible to deal with the given numbers of students, limited ressources for storage, robots, work stations and test areas for the robots.

Keywords:

Problem based learning, robotics, Java, lejos, Lego Mindstorms NXT.