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We are using robots marketed by the U.S. Board of Education to help students learn to program in their first programming course. There is no programming or technical prerequisite for the course, so this is the first exposure to programming for many students. The robots, called BOE-bots, come with a version of Basic that is very much like the QBasic already used in class.

The robots provide an opportunity to incorporate most problem-solving techniques required for an introductory programming course. Students can use subprograms to control the BOE-bot's wheels and to respond to infrared signals and relative light or darkness. Loops are used to cycle the robot through a prescribed path. Decision-making is necessary to control robot activity and to respond to external stimuli. Arrays can be used to direct a series of actions (travel in a circle, change direction, go straight, etc.). Program logic must also handle interruptions, as when an obstacle is encountered. Input must be processed and the results output, although the means are different from traditional programming environments

The BOE-bots provide an opportunity to generate a little excitement in a course, without requiring extensive or sophisticated programming. As specifications become more complicated, the programming skills will need to be more sophisticated, as well.

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