Instruction Guide: EV3 - Loops
In this lesson students explore the use of the Loops (Repeat Behaviors) in EV3-G, including infinite loops, counter controlled loops and sensor controlled loops. Students may have already used infinite loops for earlier challenges (e.g. Flashlight Follower) and perhaps even some controlled loops. The video lessons and accompanying tasks will, however, walk through these concepts in a logical progression and fill in some gaps in understanding that students may have.
In this Lesson we have 2 Primary Instruction Resources::
- The 1st resource is a EV3 Trainer lesson on Loops.
- The 2nd resource is STEMcentric Loops
Resource 1:
The EV3 Trainer Curriculum has a lesson describing Loops:
Behaviors > Decisions
- Loops 1: Container Handling Robot - Video showing a real-world robot that does repetitive tasks.
- Loops 2: Robot Config - Contains build and setup instructions for a robot that will handle the challenges of this lesson.
- Loops 3: Looped Movements - Video showing the students how to get their robot to do a repetitive action. There is a Mini Challenge for the students to complete after the video called Square Lap 1.
- Loops 4: Loop with Count Control - Video showing the students how to get their robot to do a repetitive action a set number of times. There is a Mini Challenge (Square Lap 2) for the students to complete after the video.
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Loops 5: Loop with Sensor Control - Video showing the students how to get their robot to do a repetitive action based on the results of a sensor.
- NOTE: When this unit was put together, the EV3 Trainer Teacher's Guide title for this section was in error. The title repeats the Loops 4 title. Another Mini Challenge (Square Lap 3)!
- Loops 6: Review - reviews solutions to mini-challenges.
- Loops C: Container Handling Challenge - Here's the PDF!
The EV3 Trainer Teacher's Guide references on pages 63-69.
Students should be able to answer all the review questions at the end of each step and end up with a solid command of each parameter in the Loop block configuration panel.
The "Try It" sections below the review questions in Steps 4 & 5 dig deeper into the Loop Block parameters.
The EV3 Trainer Teacher’s Guide has additional reproducibles for those who have purchased the product.The reproducibles for Loops can be found on pages 105-106.
As students progress through, have them document their milestones in the Loops Task Assignment Sheet.
Here's what to look for in the Container Handling Challenge.
Sensor Controlled Loop
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Key points to check for:
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Ensure the student's tribot does indeed stop for the object.
- Have students explain this behavior through their program
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Demonstrate that the tribot will stop for objects independent of how far apart they are.
- Ensure the students understand that the loop control is only checked at the time the end of the loop is reached
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Ensure the student's tribot does indeed stop for the object.
Resource 2:
The Differentiated Instructional Material: Alternative, STEMcentric Loops video covers these same concepts. This video is followed by an exercise.
