Conception of a Lego Mindstorms EV3 simulation for teaching C in computer science courses

Abstract

Based on the didactical concept that was developed to integrate a robot-platform into teaching and learning of Computer Science in engineering courses at the university of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg the Lego Mindsorms EV3 [1] robots were integrated into the practical lessons. In these Computer Science lessons the students (Bachelor of Engineering) learn the programming-language ANSI C. To program the robots in this language a dedicated toolchain [2] was developed. A major problem that was mentioned many times in a regular semester evaluation, after integrating the EV3, is the fact that the students cannot use the robots outside of the laboratory. So they are not able to learn and program the EV3 independently from the laboratory opening hours and practical lessons. To solve this problem and improve the success with this platform, it will now be analysed if a simulation could advance the process of deepening the learned skills in practical and theoretical computer science lessons. Also a concept for the realisation of such a simulation will be shown. This will be done based on the developed didactical concept for integrating a robot-platform in teaching and learning of Computer Science in engineering courses [3].