Programming a robot with map directions

Janice Jamieson teaches a composite P4/5 class at New Abbey Primary School. In an environmental studies lesson about coordinates, grid references, directions and compass points, she uses ‘Pixie’, a small square robot that can be programmed to move over a flat surface. There is a large map of Britain on the floor and the pupils programme journeys for Pixie from one town to another.

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Teacher profile

Janice Jamieson has been teaching for 16 years in four different schools. She has recently worked as an ICT staff tutor at Dumfries and Galloway Education Authority. She has been at New Abbey Primary for almost seven years and teaches a composite P4/P5 class. 

Janice has attended several ICT courses, including a Masterclass programme in Stirling and several regional in-service training courses. She’s experimented with the technology and developed ICT skills in her own time. 

Janice uses ICT quite regularly in her teaching. She finds it a very helpful tool, which can enhance and support more traditional class-based lessons. 

New Abbey Primary is in the small village of New Abbey in Dumfries and Galloway. It is a modern single-storey building with three main classrooms. 

There are 57 pupils in the school, one of whom has a free school lunch. Three are recorded as having special educational needs. The average length of teacher service is 21 years. 

There are eight computers in the school, one in each classroom and all connected in a local network. ICT support is provided by a regional officer from the local education authority, who can be contacted when problems arise.

ICT training is available for staff through New Opportunities Fund (NOF) programmes and regional courses.