LEGO Education WebDo 2.0 Toolbox User manual

LEGO®Education WeDo 2.0
Toolbox
WeDo 2.0

Table ofContents
Build with WeDo 2.0
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Program with WeDo 2.0
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Programming is an important part of twenty-first
century learning, and it is an essential part of all
WeDo2.0 projects.
It gives life to the models students have created
and teaches them computational thinking.
Program with
WeDo 2.0

©2017 The LEGO Group. 4
Program with WeDo 2.0
The WeDo 2.0 projects will take you and your students on a journey of using
programming concepts to activate models and to create innovative solutions.
These programming concepts have been organised by function in the Design Library.
These instructions are provided to inspire your students as they look for solutions.
All of these functions can be used as described, or modified to suit a more
specific need.
Designing solutions with LEGO® programming blocks

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Program with WeDo 2.0
When students want to bring their models to life, they will drag and drop blocks
onto the Programming Canvas. As they do this, your students will be creating
program strings. They can create multiple program strings on the canvas, but each
of the strings will need to begin with a Start Block.
Here are some important terms to know:
1. Start Block
A Start Block is required in order to start a program string in WeDo 2.0.
“Execute” means to start a series of actions until they are completed.
2. Programming Block
Programming blocks are used in WeDo 2.0 software to build a program string.
These blocks with symbols are used instead of text-based code.
3. Program String
A program string is a sequence of programming blocks.
The last block of the program string marks the end of the program.
Introduction to a WeDo 2.0 program string

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Program with WeDo 2.0
When students explore programming for the first time, they will probably line up as
many blocks as possible on the Programming Canvas. To carry out an idea they
have in mind, they will either arrange their blocks in a flow so that they are
executed one after the other, or executed simultaneously.
Here are two important terms to know:
1. Linear Sequence
A linear sequence is when blocks are placed one after the other in a linear
fashion. The LEGO®Education WeDo 2.0 software will then execute one action
after the other in the order in which the blocks have been placed.
2. Parallel Sequence
A parallel sequence should be used when students want to perform two or
more actions simultaneously. In this case, the actions should be placed on
different program strings and executed at the same time, using the various
techniques available in WeDo 2.0.
Suggestion
Tell your students to plan their programs in advance. This will help them when they
are deciding the order in which the program actions should take place. They could
use the Documentation tool to write the actions they wish to program, step-by-
step. They could also use a mind map of their own to decide whether they should
use a linear sequence or a parallel sequence.
Different types of program strings

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Program with WeDo 2.0
6. Conditions
Conditions are used by students in order to program actions that are to be
executed only under certain circumstances. Creating conditions within a
program means that some part of the program will never be executed if the
condition is never met. For example, if the Tilt Sensor is tilted left, the motor will
start, and if the sensor is tilted right, the motor will stop; if the Tilt Sensor never
tilts left, the motor will never start and if it never tilts right, then the motor will
never stop.
In developing program strings as part of their solutions, students will organize a
series of actions and structures that will make their models come to life.
Here are some of the simplest programming principles your students can use:
1. Output
Output is something that is controlled by the program the students are writing.
Examples of outputs for WeDo 2.0 are sounds, lights, display, and turning motors
on and off.
2. Input
Input is information that a computer or device receives. It can be inputted
through the use of sensors in the form of a numeric or text value. For example,
a sensor that detects or measures something (such as distance) converts that
value into a digital input signal so it can be used in a program.
3. Events (Wait for)
Students can tell their program to wait for something to happen before
continuing to execute the sequence of actions. Programs can wait for a specific
amount of time, or wait for something to be detected by a sensor.
4. Loop
Students can program actions to be repeated either forever or for a specific
length of time.
5. Functions
Functions are a group of actions that are to be used together in specific
situations.
For example, the group of blocks that could be used to make a light blink would
together be called, “the blink function”.
Programming principles

©2017 The LEGO Group. 8
Program with WeDo 2.0
Program strings are designed for computers to understand, and pseudocode is
a way to explain a program so that people can understand it. Good pseudocode
respects program structures, but uses common words.
In WeDo 2.0, pseudocode can also be used to describe each step of a sequence.
There are no specific rules to follow when writing pseudocode, but you will see
that using a consistent structure will help you and your students while using it.
Example One
1. Start program
2. Start motor at power 1
3. Wait for 1 second
4. Stop motor
Example Two
1. Start program when “A” is pressed
2. Wait for Tilt Sensor to detect Shake
3. Start motor this way
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 forever
Example Three
1. Start program when “A” is pressed
2. Wait for Tilt Sensor to detect No Tilt
3. Stop motor
4. Turn LED on colour 9 (red)
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 forever
What is Pseudocode?

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Program with WeDo 2.0
Description of flow blocks
Start Block
When used, always placed at the beginning
of a program string. Press on it to start the
program string you have written.
Pseudocode: Start program
Start on Message Block
Always placed at the beginning of a program
string. It will wait for the correct message and
then start the program string you have written.
Pseudocode: Start program when receiving
message “abc”
Send Message
Sends a message to the Programming
Canvas. Every Start On Message Block
with the same message will be activated.
The message can be in the form of text
ornumbers.
Pseudocode: Send message “abc”
Wait For
Use this block to tell the program to wait for
something to happen. It can wait for a set
amount of time or for input from a sensor.
This block always requires input in order to
work properly.
Pseudocode: Wait for 1 second

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Program with WeDo 2.0
Repeat Block
Use this block to repeat actions. Blocks
placed inside the Repeat Block will be
looped. This can also be called the “loop
block.” The loop can be repeated forever,
for a certain amount of time, or until
something happens.
Pseudocode: Repeat step ... forever
Start on Key Press Block
When used, always placed at the
beginning of a program string. Press on it,
or on the correct letter on the keyboard
to start the program string you have
written. All of the program strings with
the same letter will start at the same
time. To change the letter of activation,
long press on the block to get access to
thekeyboard.
Pseudocode: Start program on tap “A”