Using remote control cars outdoors
Areas of learning
Knowledge & Understanding of the World
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Mathematical Development
What do we want the children to learn?
To
To
To
To
be able to instruct a programmable toy
use a programmable toy to support learning
use everyday words to describe position
be able to work as part of a group, taking turns and sharing fairly
What will the children do?
With adult support the children will use the open space outdoors to instruct a remote
control car to go forwards, backwards, left and right. They will observe the results of their
actions and take turns
The children will make a block structure and direct the car through the pathways
Resources
A remote Control Car
ICT Levels of Differentiation
Recognises connection between remote control and making car move
Recognises different buttons steer different directions
Moves car purposefully
Recognises which buttons steer which way
Gains increasing control over manipulating a joy stick or buttons
Children’s individual targets, that this activity could meet
To
To
To
To
begin to differentiate direction and position e.g. forwards, backwards
be able to listen to and follow instructions
be confident to try out a new activity, explore and experiment
be able to work alongside others, taking turns
Adult input (including language to be introduced)
Demonstrate how to make the remote control car move
Demonstrate the different actions of the buttons
Introduce correct vocabulary
Support children in taking turns
Forwards, backwards, left, right, stop, turn around, back, other way
Areas & resources inside & out for spontaneous learning
Using a programmable toy independently inside e.g. programming Pixie to move around
a small world environment
Taking apart a defunct remote control device
Using TV remote controls in role play
Using a range of simple ICT toys that have a one button press for an action e.g. Scanner
till, kettle, toaster, microwave, phone etc
Questions for assessment opportunities
What happened when you pressed that button?
How did you make it work?
How did you make the car move?
Could you tell it to move over there? How do you do that?
Observation
Are the children stimulated and interested in this activity?
Do they take turns, sharing the remote control with others in the group?
Do they listen to and observe how to use the remote control?
Do they handle the control experimentally or attempt to make the car move in a
particular direction?
Do they try both buttons?
Do they use directional language?
Remote control vehicles (including ‘Bugs’) can be bought from TTS Active ICT
web:
www.tts-group.co.uk
Duplo Remote control vehicles
www.commotiongroup.co.uk