Students dive into the world of drone programming using the Crazyflie Nano, a tiny, open-source drone that’s perfect for learning.

As the trend towards participatory and experiential learning continues to gain momentum, access to engaging and interactive tools has become increasingly vital? With its comprehensive curriculum catering to diverse skill sets, DroneBlocks has emerged as the go-to choice for educators looking to integrate drones into their classrooms. Is DroneBlocks’ curriculum up to par, and what’s the learning experience really like?

As a seasoned educator with six years of experience in training early elementary students, I possess a deep understanding of their unique needs and abilities. Following my tenure as a school administrator, I spent five years serving as the principal of an elementary faculty. Having reviewed numerous curricula, I was eager to explore what DroneBlocks had to offer. Since I had never previously evaluated a drone curriculum, I rigorously tested this one as if I were a critical principal.

Here’s my assessment of the DroneBlocks curriculum, suggesting which types of classrooms it’s suitable for:

DroneBlocks innovatively bridges the gap between traditional computer coding tools and educational robotics by providing college students with a unique opportunity to learn programming through drone operation. Our platform offers educational resources for teachers, coding tools for students, and a seamless mobile app that facilitates effortless access to coding lessons directly in the classroom.

Using the versatile Crazyflie Nano drone, college students can create complex flight patterns, actions, and commands by writing code in either block-based or text-based programming languages.

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The DroneBlocks curriculum holds significant value in its ability to deliver.

DroneBlocks offers unparalleled access to more than 40 programs covering an array of diverse subjects. The comprehensive curriculum seamlessly transitions students from introductory block coding to advanced programming proficiency in both Python and JavaScript, catering to diverse learning styles and abilities.

The curriculum stands out for its innovative incorporation of a cutting-edge drone simulator, offering students a unique hands-on learning experience. College students can practice coding and flight skills in a simulated digital environment before operating real drones.

After DJI discontinued support for the Tello, DroneBlocks transitioned to harnessing the power of. The Crazyflie Nano is available for purchase on their website, either as an individual unit or in bulk packs of 10 drones. This system nonetheless supports the DJI Tello EDU.

While brief mentions of the DJI Tello drone exist throughout the course materials, these references remain subtle and unobtrusive, avoiding potential confusion for both students and educators. DroneBlocks is actively working on synchronizing these citations with the Crazyflie.

The Crazyflie drone

At just 27 grams, the compact Crazyflie Nano effortlessly slips into the palm of one’s hand, rendering it an exemplary choice for confined spaces like classrooms where its miniature size can be fully leveraged. Its compact size minimizes the risk of damage to the drone and its surroundings, rendering it a safe and controlled option for students learning to code and pilot.

The Crazyflie Nano boasts a relatively short but swift flight time of just 8 minutes, accompanied by its inherent advantages and disadvantages. While this brief window of opportunity may excite college students eager to pilot their drones, it also presents a challenge for educators who must find moments to recharge and manage these devices between classes. The price of the Crazyflie Nano is dropping rapidly.

Despite these challenges, the relatively short flight duration inspires college students to focus on coding and problem-solving. When engaging with simulations, developers should carefully consider the most efficient programming approach to navigate from point A to point B, weighing environmental considerations.

College students seeking access to computer systems alongside drones. While many colleges use laptops specifically designed for students, any laptop computer that meets certain minimum requirements is suitable. To ensure seamless integration and optimal performance, a minimum of equal numbers of laptops and drones should be procured.

DroneBlocks: skilled improvement

Every year, the DroneBlocks curriculum purchase includes a complimentary 2-hour professional development session. All stakeholders involved in implementing the curriculum are encouraged to participate in the session, regardless of their role or expertise, with a particular emphasis on inviting all educators who will directly utilize this educational resource.

Faculty members are able to choose a time slot that accommodates their scheduling needs; however, it is recommended that they plan promptly as slots become available quickly. This two-hour coaching session offers much more than just a superficial introduction. It’s a tailored expertise that can be customized to meet the unique needs, interests, and concerns of individual lecturers.

The session comprehensively covers every stage of working with drones, from initial setup to resolving connectivity issues, with a focus on practical applications in a classroom setting. While prioritizing the fundamentals of coaching, DroneBlocks provides additional tools such as Miro boards for streamlined lesson planning and a tailored job wheel program for efficient classroom management. By incorporating thoughtful features, DroneBlocks demonstrates a profound appreciation for the unique obstacles educators encounter, remaining steadfastly committed to empowering them throughout their journey.

While lecturers might find it advantageous to allocate an additional two hours for coaching, this specific training has proven to be both valuable and efficient, making it a worthwhile investment of their time.

With the increased cost associated with drone technology, it’s crucial to prioritize investment in training programs.

What do we learn from a cursory examination of the DroneBlocks curriculum?

The DroneBlocks curriculum primarily focuses on teaching college students how to code effectively. The course is structured into diverse categories, each comprising between 2 and 10 video modules. Most films typically run for around two hours in length.

Despite these benefits, lecturers should not assume that showing movies daily will remain a viable educational tool indefinitely. As with any curriculum, lecturers may wish to dedicate time reviewing materials and crafting a plan tailored to their unique classroom needs.

{Hardware} classes

However, this fundamental training also instils a sense of discipline and rigor in one’s work. The primary course provides an introduction to constructing the versatile and agile Crazyflie Nano drone using simple and accessible techniques. The meeting lasted approximately a quarter of an hour, led by a largely useful video tutorial that proved challenging to follow at times. To ensure a seamless learning experience, instructors are advised to allocate at least 30 minutes for this activity, making it essential to prepare a drone beforehand and establish a clear protocol for identification and storage of the devices.

While challenging, the drone operation course offers a unique opportunity for hands-on learning, teaching students not only how to pilot drones but also their inner mechanics.

While visual aids can facilitate a seamless learning experience, the lack of printed materials for certain programs at DroneBlocks is indeed an oversight that may hinder some users’ progress. Despite initial challenges, the process of building the Crazyflie Nano ultimately benefits from a valuable learning experience. By participating in hands-on problem-solving and troubleshooting exercises during meetings, college students can develop essential skills for navigating the demands of coding and flying.

Software program classes

Innovative courses like “Welcome to Mars” enable college students to leverage programming skills to pilot drones through a simulated Martian environment, seamlessly blending technical aptitude with creative problem-solving expertise. To foster a sense of purpose and motivation among college students, the curriculum develops personalized narratives that outline their reasons for completing missions, thereby enhancing overall engagement.

One exceptional course is Block Coding – Math Version, seamlessly integrating coding exercises with mathematical problems to provide a unique learning experience. This course is specifically designed for educators looking to seamlessly integrate additional STEM content into their curriculum, enabling students to leverage their coding skills in a mathematical framework that fosters deeper understanding and application of key concepts. The fusion of coding and mathematics yields a dynamic learning experience that captivates students and presents a perpetual challenge to their intellectual abilities. This course also includes printable worksheets that parallel its teachings, a feature I desire in any program I consider.

Who’s the DroneBlocks curriculum for?

The DroneBlocks curriculum, coupled with the Crazyflie Nano drone, offers a rich and captivating educational experience. While our curriculum offers a relatively affordable education pathway compared to similar options, careful consideration should be given to the upfront costs associated with implementing it, especially when incorporating advanced technology like Crazyflie drones into the learning experience.

For college administrators considering the implementation of a new curriculum, it is crucial that they ensure the presence of a dedicated educator with a passion for STEM education, exceptional organizational skills, and a commitment to remaining at the institution for an extended period.

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We must ensure that adequate time is allocated in our schedule to accommodate this program, along with the necessary resources and proper storage facilities for the drones in the classroom. While you likely have all the necessary components in place, the integration of drones and coding in STEM programs can be an unlikely but highly effective way to combine the excitement of drone technology with the academic benefits of programming.

Consider starting small if you’re eager to adopt this approach but lack all the necessary elements? You can purchase opportunities for teachers to lead large-group activities, facilitate team-based coding exercises, or oversee an extracurricular program. By expanding your fleet with additional drones, you may be able to enhance this system. .