8. Finch Robots (LA Review - Sp15)

[lmock]

Your Name:

Overview of Lab Comments: i.e. Was this lab good or bad? Too fast? Too Slow? Does it need something new?

--- For each specific Issue (Copy this section as many times as necessary) ---
- [ ] Page Link:
      Type of Issue: i.e. (code) bug, grammar, typo, lack of clarity, etc
      Severity: i.e. "prevents students from continuing", "minor inconvenience", etc
      Comments: Description of the problem, what can be done to fix it, etc.
- [ ] Page Link:
      Type of Issue: i.e. (code) bug, grammar, typo, lack of clarity, etc
      Severity: i.e. "prevents students from continuing", "minor inconvenience", etc
      Comments: Description of the problem, what can be done to fix it, etc.

[Justin-Kim72]

Justin Kim

Overview of Lab Comments: I don't think many people do this lab, because they don't have access to the finch robots. Reading through the lab, I felt like that I would still be able to do the lab if I had the finch robot. As this CS10 course is going to high schools, I would question if this lab is necessary. Other than that, all the links worked and there didn't seem to be anything out of hand.

[tcabs17]

Tori Cabot

This lab is very straightforward. As an introduction to the finch, it functions perfectly fine but it doesn't seem particularly challenging. The finch set up instructions are clear and concise. The links all function as well. There should be a piazza post to the class notifying students that they won't be able to complete the lab on their own and get it checked off in office hours, seeing as it requires equipment from the lab. Also, it might be advantageous to include any videos of former students' final projects utilizing the finch.

[ilinabg]

Ilina Bhaya-Grossman

This is a fun lab where the students can be creative and don't have to worry too much about bugs or errors. I think that this lab is a good lab to de-stress students and see that imagination can be put to work in programming. All the links seem to work and the wording on the pages seems relatively clear. I remember doing this lab before and I really enjoyed it, I think that for future years this lab should definitely be kept.

[keehansullivan]

Sean Sullivan

This lab was easy and fun to do. I remember when I did this lab in CS10 and it was nice because there was plenty of time to experiment with the finches. It's a nice post-quest lab. Doing this lab outside of class is not really possible, and if I remember correctly this lab was extra-credit so hopefully it stays that way.

[sayabe]

Your Name: Satoko Ayabe

Overview of Lab Comments: I think this lab is a good break from regular lab. I also like how this lab is after the quest, because if it was before the quest I feel like not many people would show up. However, I was just wondering: we're not having finch robot battles anymore? I thought that was really fun last semester when I took CS10. I also like how in this lab, there are more games (I don't think pong or simon says was included last semester).

[rwason]

Your Name: Rishabh Wason

Overview of Lab Comments: I think that this lab is a good lab to do around the time of the quest. When I myself did this lab prior to the quest last semester, it was very relaxing and more "fun" and less tedious than an actual lab. Also, it allows the students to manipulate physical, concrete devices with actual code that allows them to directly visualize how their code works in the real world. This seems more like an application lab which allows the students to be more creative than the constructs of a regular lab so that they can experiment with code and see how a device such as the finch reacts and responds to such code.

[megancarey]

Megan Carey

Overview of Lab Comments: I personally think that the finch lab is one of the most fun labs of the semester. It is a bit difficult to proofread the code since we don't have the finch or finch software, but I remember enjoying the lab and finding it to be pretty easy to figure out. The quick corrections that they have to make are all pretty obvious, and I think it's great that there is room for them to figure stuff out. The tutorial is also very comprehensive in case trial and error is not a preferred learning style.

[juliaalcaraz]

Julia Alcaraz

Overview of Lab comments: I really like this lab, it is very fun, and the perfect lab to do after the Quest. It is very straightforward, and clear, but at the same time it introduces the aspect of hardware to the students, which is new and exciting, since it allows the students to observe how relevant their computer science knowledge is in the world.

[mfujimoto]

Your Name: Mason Fujimoto

Overview of Lab Comments: Everything looks good. I think this should be a shorter lab which is nice after students take the quest. This provides students with an opportunity to catch up on labs if they are behind and discuss with the TAs and LAs about how they are doing in the class.

[yifatamir]

Yifat Amir

Overview of Lab Comments: I thought this lab was really fun, and for many students it was exciting to play with code that connects to hardware. The lab is short (doesn't require 2 hours), but I don't think it needs anything more really. Maybe it could require in the lab check-off that they show the LA/TA the modification they made to the game on the last page, since otherwise I am not sure that they'd have motivation to actually do so... In addition, I didn't see any bugs so I don't have further feedback. Good lab/snap development!

[carolinekim]

Your Name: Caroline Kim

Overview of Lab Comments: The lab is short and sweet, which is going to give the students a break after the quest. All of the instructions in the lab are very clear and easy to understand. It is helpful how the lab also introduces different games (like Simon Says, and Pong) to the students, which will come in handy to those who want to incorporate such ideas into their projects. I remember having Finch Robot battles last semester, which was fun, but it seems like the Finch battle was taken out of the lab this semester... However, overall, the lab is easy to understand and work with, and I think the students will appreciate the break!

[eurieoh]

Eurie Oh

Overview of Lab Comments: I didn't find any wrong with this lab. It provides a clear example of how programs that these students make can be implemented in real life. Also it provides a nice break from the computer and a fun experience, especially if its still for extra credit.

[Omarb62]

Your Name: Omar Buenrostro

Overview of Lab Comments: While this lab doesn't involve students making their own code, it still introduces students to a cool application of computer science that is both fun and a good break from the Quest Stress. I don't remember if this lab was extra credit or not, but either way, it's overall a short and simple lab.

[migugalde]

Your Name: Miguel Ugalde

Overview of Lab Comments: I thought this lab was pretty straight forward. Although I couldn't actually do the lab on my own without the finch robot, I do remember it being manageable last when I took the class. I think the only thing that would be nice is if we show examples of other ways the students could use the robots and if they are incorporated once more in the class, because they kind of disappear after this lab. I do like that this lab comes right after the Quest.

[morganewing]

Your Name: Morgan Ewing

Overview of Lab Comments: I think this is a nice lab to have after a quest because it is laid back and fun but still engaging. I wouldn't suggest adding anything else because I think it is a pretty full lab and if a student goes through and truly understands all of the code, it can be time consuming. The only thing I would suggest changing is trying to combine some of the starter files because there are quite a few throughout the lab. I also think the variety of activities in this lab can lead to many ideas for projects.

[Hungukaroo]

Elizabeth Steger

Overview: I really love this lab, seriously who doesn't? Although the lab isn't very challenging, it provides a great opportunity to see the power of Snap! and programming in general. I think the acceleration is a great exercise and the different starter files give the students plenty of places to go in terms of customization and optimization. Also the Zoolander reference always makes me happy to see. Awesome lab that's extremely engaging, albeit very difficult to make up.

[thomaslee4]

Your Name: Thomas Lee

Overview of Lab Comments: Walking through this lab, I was unable to find any problems that required fixing. I think that the lab is relatively straightforward, especially since it will most likely be completed with a partner. This was one of my favorite labs in CS10, and I think it is important to give students a taste of the hardware and machine side of computer science. I think that students will have a positive response to this lab!

[Meghna15]

Your Name: Meghna Dasgupta

Overview of Lab Comments: I really liked this lab because it is a relaxed lab (and much needed after the Quest!) and it introduces the concept of hardware to the students. The lab is well-paced and quite straightforward but it is fun at the same time. We could have Finch competitions at the end of lab (like we did last semester) to make it interesting!

[mikomwang]

Your Name: Michael Wang

Overview of Lab Comments: Though I don't actually have a finch robot to test this lab on, the directions seem pretty transparent and the students get hands-on experience with machine interaction. I'm personally very fond of this lab, as it was my first basic introduction to the relationship of software and hardware. I especially remember the finch competition at the end of the lab, which really motivated everyone to participate for that extra point.

[knmcgauley]

Katherine McGauley

Overview of Lab Comments: I think the Finch lab is a great post-Quest lab that's both fun and interesting. It's a really well-placed opportunity to play with some robots and explore a new part of the course. (To be honest, I was sold the second they brought out the robots.) My only suggestion would be potentially to add a bit more TA instruction/possibly a bit of a demo of what Finches can do. In general, I think it's a really fun, low-stress lab.

[michen-ml]

Michelle Chen

Overview of Lab Comments: The directions are pretty straight forward, and this lab is pretty easy and a good breather between homework and the quests. Heard Finch competition was taken out this semester, which is kind of disappointing since it was a good way for students to see their code being applied in a practical setting. Otherwise, the lab is pretty clear and self-explanatory. Not much editing needed.

[william0cheung]

William Cheung

Overview: I LOVE FINCHES! This is a great lab that doesn't require that much coding while still incorporating important ideas. Students get to see their code in live action. This is one of the easier labs to do and is fun as well. Not much to change, since students have lots of freedom to manipulate what the finch does!

[anushasyed]

Anusha Syed

This is a really fun lab overall and I think all the exercises are also fun and helpful. I like that this lab really allows you to be creative. Overall, I think everything is explained well and straightforward, so I don't really think anything needs to be added!

[amy97]

Amy Vatcha

This lab is a great stress reliever after the Quest and introduces students to the practical application of programming through the concepts of hardware. This lab also helps students to visualize the concepts they learnt in the first half of the semester and implement them.

[janicechui]

Janice Chui

The lab is less intense than most labs, so it is a good change of pace for students. I really enjoyed the Zoolander joke, and the inclusion of games in explanations.

[18epedersen]

Your Name: Emily Pedersen

Overview of Lab Comments: I remember as a CS10 student that this lab was really fun! I enjoyed figured out all the commands the finch could do and the finch robot war! I think this lab is great because it shows that coding can extend beyond your computer- something you code in Snap! can affect what a finch does and I think that is really powerful!

[danielduazo]

Your Name: Daniel Duazo

Overview of Lab Comments: This was a fun lab. It's a nice break for the students after the Quest. It's hard to review without the Finch robot at home. The competition at the end of the lab is a good idea and makes the lab more enjoyable and incentivizes the students' participation.

[JiazhenChen]

Your Name: Jiazhen Chen

Overview of Lab Comments: This is a fun lab. It release the students from the pressure of the class while giving the students a chance to learn about the robot part, to see how programming can effect robots and also normal life. I feel that this is a quite worthy lab. I was not in the lab that day so I'm not sure whether they still did the robot competition. From last semester's experience, I feel that the competition is interesting but it takes a lot of time...

[Rshahatit]

Your Name: Rami Shahatit

Overview of Lab Comments:I think this lab is very interesting and fun and lets the students realize what they are able to do with the knowledge they have. they can make a robot move or do whatever they want. I think this is a powerful motivation for students to continue in CS and is inspiring to see what we can do with our limited one semester knowledge of CS.

[jesslarson]

Your Name: Jessica Larson

Overview of Lab Comments: The students have a great time with this lab, but I do not have a finch at home, so I wasn't able to review this lab.

[siyingwang]

Your name: Siying Wang Overview of Lab Comments: This is an intersting lab, but it has a problem of some Finch Robot was broken or not good at connecting to the computer. I think check the robots before lab is necessary.

[soham14]

Your Name: Soham Kudtarkar

Overview of Lab Comments: This was a nice and relaxing break from topics like algorithmic complexity! This type of interaction between Snap! and the students can only help students in realizing the beauty and joy of computing. I wish that there were more labs like this throughout the semester because such a fun and interactive lab should not just happen once. I found that there was a relaxing pace to this lab and the content was not that complex. Overall, it was a really fun lab.

[benlsmith]

Your Name: Benjamin Smith

Overview of Lab Comments: I remember this as being my favorite lab as one of the students. It helped to take a lot of stress out of the past labs and quest. I also like that it lets students see the real life application of their code, which at least for me helped me enjoy coding a bit more.

[KimiaG]

Kimia Ghodoosian

Overview of Lab Comments: It's a nice change of pace to be working with hardware midway through the semester.

• [ ] Page Link: http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs10/labs/cur/programming/robots/finch-simon-says.html?topic=berkeley_bjc%2Frobots%2Frobots.topic&course=cs10_sp15.html&novideo&noreading&noassignment       Type of Issue: I know that it seems fairly clear based on the descriptions, but a lot of the students were trying to "turn" the finch using keyboard commands and were frustrated that it wasn't working.       Severity: i.e. prevents students from continuing       Comments: I think it has to be explicitly stated that students are being asked to physically pick up the finch and turned it upside down, nose down, etc.