This unit provides ideas for Year 3 and 4 teachers in relation to information systems (robots) and the community. The robots used in this unit are robots which are used at the Royal Australian Mint and Keepon. For additional technology teaching ideas visit: http://technologiesjvillis.weebly.com/

1. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Information Systems &
Community
Y3/4 Teaching Ideas
Australian Digital Technologies Curriculum Ideas
By Joanne Villis
Side image source: http://pixabay.com/

2. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Australian Curriculum
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES (Y3/4)
Explain how developed solutions and existing information
systems meet common personal, school or community
needs, and envisage new ways of using them (ACTDIP012)

3. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robots
Aims:
Students explain how robots meet personal and community
needs.
Students foresee new ways of using robots.
Teacher background information:
In their simplest terms, robots are information systems
which contain sensors, control systems, manipulators,
power supplies and software all working together to perform
a task.

4. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robots
Lesson 1 & 2 (linked to Math – money): Robots in the Royal
Australian Mint
Begin this lesson by discussing what students think robots
are and where they have seen them. Many students may
think of robots as toys rather than as technologies used in
the community. Show students the video on the following
slide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u3upZG4toE )
which addresses how money is made. Pause the video after
robots are discussed.

5. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robots
Additional resources about robots in the Royal Australian
Mint can be found online at:
http://www.ramint.gov.au/education/factsheets/technology.
cfm . Ask students to use De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats to
discuss the use of robots in the production of money.
What should we be thinking about? What is our
topic?
What do you know about the robots which are used
in the Royal Australian Mint?

6. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robots
What are the benefits of using robots in the
production of money?
What do you feel about the use of robots in
production? How do you think it effects the
production and the community?
How might things go wrong when using the robots?
How might the use of robots have a negative effect on
the community?
Can you think of a new robot which could help with
the production of money at the Royal Australian
Mint?

7. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robots
Lesson 3 & 4: Researching robots
Allow students two lessons to research robots which are
used in the community and then share their discoveries with
the class. A good online site for students is Science Facts
(http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/technology/type
sofrobots.html ). If students have iPads a great app is called
Robots and it is free.
Before sending students off to ‘research’
give them a list of questions that you would
like them to focus on.

8. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robots
Lesson 3 & 4: Researching robots
Invite students to share their knowledge by posting ‘did you
know comments’. I like to do this three different ways. I ask
student to use post it notes, write on the whiteboard at the
front of the room or share collaboratively online using
Padlet. The images below are for visual reference only, they
were not taken when teaching this unit.
Image: Padlet Image: Post it notes Image: Whiteboard

9. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robots
Lesson 5 & 6: Keepon
Teacher background information:
I recommend that teachers watch the video on Keepon
before using this lesson
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFfw0RteVwA ). I also
suggest that teachers who are choosing this lesson purchase
a Keepon robot for around $60.00 AUS.
Show students the robot and allow them to play with it. Ask
students the following questions:
I wonder what the robot is used for.

10. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robots
I wonder what it does.
I wonder how it works.
I wonder what it might be used for.
Student responses will be varied. Show students the video
on the following slide
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g-yrjh58ms ). Ask
students, what they think the robot is responding to.
Pull the soft outer coating off the robot and allow students
to see what is inside. Invite students to discuss how they
think the robot works. What are the main components?

11. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robotic hands
This teaching idea is linked with the Design and
Technologies curriculum. I would introduce students to
the concept that robotic body parts are helping members
of the community who may have lost a body part due to
injury. This would involve discussion only with an
emphasis that robotic body parts are designed by people
to help people achieve tasks that they previously would
have been unable to. For teacher reference only, view
the inspirational TED talk on the following slide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDsNZJTWw0w

12. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robotic hands continued
I found two great websites which provide hands on
activities for students to explore the making of
robotic hands.
1. Puppets 2 robots
http://puppets2robots.wikispaces.com/The+Mechanical+Arm
2. An Ordinary Life Science Blog
http://anordinary-life.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/science-step-by-step-
how-to-make.html?m=1

13. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Robots
Unit evaluation:

14. Information
Systems
&
Community
Y3/4
By
Joanne Villis
Copyright
I give permission for the following:
Adaptations and sharing of this resources for educational
purposes only. I do not give permission for commercial use of
this work. When sharing or adapting this work I ask that you
give credit to the original creator, Joanne Villis at
http://intertecheducation.edublogs.org/ .These ideas may be
used for non-commercial purposes only.
Contact details:
http://intertecheducation.edublogs.org/
jvillis@inter-tech.com.au
http://www.pinterest.com/joannevillis/