LEGOsheets: A Rule-Based Programming, Simulation and Manipulation Environment for the LEG0 Programmable Brick

LEGOsheets was created. LEGOsheets is an educational environment implemented in Agentsheets, a grid-based tool for creating visual programming languages [5]. Programming can serve as a vehicle to create learning opportunities in the constructionist sense [3]. The LEGO1 Programmable Brick gives children the ability to create physical artifacts, such as vehicles and robots, and program them with interesting behaviors. However, programming is difficult to learn, even for adults. Children often lose interest in further exploration of programming through adult learning mechanisms. Environments that support a gradual transition from manual control of the physical artifact to complete programming substantially simplify the process of programming. The combination of LEGOsheets and the Programmable Brick is an educational environment that provides a gentle, enticing introduction to programming and the design of mechanical artifacts. This paper introduces LEGOsheets, a rule-based programming environment that allows children to simulate and manipulate the LEGO Programmable Brick. Making use of a grid-based spatial construction paradigm [4], LEGOsheets is a combined visual programming, manipulation, and simulation environment. It provides a gentle and enticing introduction to programming and the design of mechanical artifacts. LEGOsheets is intended to be used by children ages 8 and up. Initially, children use LEGOsheets simply as a direct manipulation [6] mechanism to control physical artifacts equipped with electrical sensors and effectors. During this stage, LEGOsheets can be perceived as a fancy remote control. Later, children use a rule-based approach [2] to program the behavior of individual effectors, such as motors and lights, while still manually controlling others. In the final stage, all the effectors are programmed. The program gets downloaded into the Programmable Brick, the link between the programming environment and the Brick gets severed, and the artifact, controlled by the Brick, is let loose. We believe this gradual transition from manual control to complete programming serves as an ideal method for children to learn how to program. This paper first introduces the LEGO Programmable Brick, then gives a brief description of a LEGO vehicle built and programmed using LEGOsheets, and finally walks through a scenario with children using LEGOsheets.