Instruction Guide: EV3 - "Data Wires" Part 2
Note: This is Part 2 of 2 on Data Wires
In this Lesson we have 1 Primary Instruction Resource:
- EV3 Trainer section on Data Wires is the Primary Instruction Material.
Resource 1:
The EV3 Trainer has a video describing Data Wires:
Bonus > Data Wires > 6-8, C
Bonus > Data Wires
- Data Wires 6: Calculations - Discusses math blocks using, as an example, a program to convert units from rotations to centimeters traveled. Mini Challenge 1: Display Rotations in Centimeters, Mini Challenge 2 : Move for Centimeters My Block
- Data Wires 7: Variables - Discusses how to use variables in your EV3 program. Mini Challenge: Find the Black Line's Distance
-
Data Wires 8: Review - Data Wires Review.
-
Data Wires C: Challenge - Data Wires Challenge - Pipeline Explorer Challenge.
The EV3 Trainer Teacher's Guide references on pages 138 - 141. These pages have a lot of additional information!
Students should be able to answer all the review questions at the end of each step and end up with a solid command of the purpose and functionality of data wires, as well as the function of each data plug on the Math and Variable Blocks.
The "Try It" and "Did you Notice" sections below the review questions in Step 7 dig deeper into variables and data types respectively - make sure students understand these as well.
The "Optional Activity" under Mini Challenge in Step 6 covers how to parameterize a My Block by passing data wires into or out of a My Block.
As students progress through, have them document their milestones in the "Data Wires" Part 2 Task Assignment Sheet.
Pipeline Explorer Challenge
Key learning to check for during sign-off includes:
-
Ensure students understand the nature of data wires and variables:
- Data is generated on a wire when a block's output plug is attached to another block's input plug by a data wire
- Data on a data wire connected to the input plug on a block will over-ride that parameter of the configuration panel settings
- To continuously update a data wire values, the blocks must be inside a loop that repeats frequently.
- Variables are containers that store information for use elasewhere in a program
Additional Resource
The Differentiated Instructional Material: Extended, STEMcentric Video on data operations and variables covers these same concepts in more details and with different examples.
