LEGO WeDo

WeDo is loads of fun!

I'm a concerned parent wanting to get more proper computing into my kids' primary school. I came across LEGO WeDo. As a LEGO fan since my childhood, this immediately appealed to me! But I didn't even consider using the LEGO software. I have been playing with Scratch, a completely free programming environment for kids from MIT. Scratch is a whole lot of fun for kids and adults alike. It is a superb introduction to programming, used even at some universities for introducing people to computer science! Since MIT helped create the WeDo stuff, Scratch is completely compatible with WeDo already: download Scratch for free, then plug in your WeDo hub. Somehow the drivers are automatically installed, and in a minute you get some new control blocks popping up that let you control the motor! So you don't need LEGO software, and for that matter, you don't need any instructions on how to build robots nor how to program them, other than learning the basics of how to read the sensors/control the motor from Scratch. My own gut feeling (not having tried this in a classroom setting yet) is that if you go into a class where they have already familiar with Scratch and show them the basics, they will come up with their own ideas. I will arrange with one of the teachers to try this, and I'll report back...

Was great but is lacking support, so is becoming obsolete

This was a great new addition to Lego Robotics a few years ago. However, as Lego apparently provide minimal support, both for the Mac and PC versions, the kits are become less and less useful. I am using Kits for the Mac OSX operating system at a school in London. We have about 15 kits, so the school has put a lot of money into this, and we are currently running robotics after school programs several times a year. However, at this point we are no longer able to see the instructions for how to build the robots with the software, but rather have to go to a link at MIT in the US, to find building guides in pdf form. We can also no longer view the programming guides. Fortunately we can still at least have the students program the robots but we have to show them since there is no guide to consult. However, unless Lego updates the software so that it functions with the latest versions of the OSX operating system and Flashplayer, i am not sure for how much longer it will work. In the last year , i have certainly not been able to find any updates. This same problem also exist for the Mindstorms products.

RM Responds: Thank you for your comments regarding LEGO Education products. Software updates are provided by downloads from LEGOeducation.co.uk by clicking on the MINDSTORMS downloads link in the bottom left of the page. This will take you to a search function where you can select Software Update/Patch. Here you will find the latest patches to update your software to ensure all functionality is available. If you require assistance with the updates the LEGO technical support team will be more than happy to help - they can be contacted on 0141 220 5412.

Lego, a sure fire winner!

We recently bought a class set of the Lego WeDo construction sets, using the sets with children from Year 1 to Year 6 I have discovered that their universal appeal lives on. They can be used in lots of curriculum areas and encourage skills in teamwork, following instructions, ICT, DT, computer programming but best of all the children love it... and the adults too!