2. What is a bee-bot?
 Programmable floor toy
 Can be programmed with sequences of up
to 40 commands (7 buttons – 4 directions;
PAUSE, CLEAR, GO)
 Moves accurately in 15cm steps
 Is supported by a range of accessories
(play mats; sequencing cards; software)

4. Basic Commands:
 FD - forwards
 BK – backwards
 LT – left
 RT - right

5. “Play is an essential learning tool for
young children” Dr. John Irvine, Australian Child Psychologist
 Young children learn when they play with hands-
on, concrete materials that encourage:
 exploration, discovery, manipulation, and active engagement
 Teachers support children’s learning in play by
becoming co-players
 enriching & extending
 guiding and supporting

6. :criteria for educational “toys”
used in directed play Dr. John Irvine, Australian
Child Psychologist
Skill building
Problem solving
Imagination and creativity
Communication
Ego-building and self confidence
These same benefits can be observed in children who use Bee-Bots.

7. Skill Building
 Mathematical skills: counting, estimating distance
and time, and working mathematically to solve problems.
 Spatial Visualisation skills: the ability to mentally
orientate, manipulate, track and rotate the bee-bot
 Language Skills: especially recalling, interpreting or
articulating command sequences
 Design & Technology skills: interpreting a design
challenge, generating solutions, making a plan, testing and evaluating

8. Problem Solving
 Planning
 Logical thinking
 Solving challenges
 using manipulative materials/equipment
 drawing a diagram
 making a plan
 guess and check
 acting out a problem
 keeping track

9. Imagination & Creativity
 Multi-sensory appeal to children:
colorful, flashing eyes, sounds, movement
 Engaging character: giving the bee-bot a name and
personality attributes
 Can be linked to favorite
stories, toys, scenarios as play mats, etc.

10. Communication Skills
 Learning is a social experience
 discussing
 taking turns
 collaborative work
 Context for Oral language learning
 Can support written language development

11. Ego-building & Self Confidence
 questioning and posing problems
 taking responsible risks
 striving for accuracy
 task persistence
 sense of achievement when solving problems
 supports motivation

12. What is available from the IT Lab?
 7 Bee-bots
 Transparent mats (4 x 4 and 9 x 3)
 Activity mats
 Ready to use image squares for transparent mats
 Also, you will find many resources in Moodle as
well as the squares templates to create your own
material.

14. Click on
CAISL

15. Log in:

17. Useful Websites:
 TTS
 http://mybeebot.wordpress.com/
 Bee-Bots downunder