What's the Appropriate Age to Introduce the NXT?
A review in this week's Time Magazine says that the NXT is suited for high schoolers and adults, and that it's too challenging for pre-teens. Read ithere.
In my opinion, this reviewer needs to work more with the NXT before making such a judgment. (There are a lot of precocious preteens and Lego Leaguers out there who have taken to the NXT).
However, this reviewer indirectly raises an important question: is the NXT generally too challenging for ten-year-olds, the minimum age to which Lego is marketing the product?
What do you think?
In my opinion, this reviewer needs to work more with the NXT before making such a judgment. (There are a lot of precocious preteens and Lego Leaguers out there who have taken to the NXT).
However, this reviewer indirectly raises an important question: is the NXT generally too challenging for ten-year-olds, the minimum age to which Lego is marketing the product?
What do you think?
Comments
Programming would be what I would expect to be the tough part... not building. Programming theory can be a difficult subject the first time around.
If that sounds like weasling around the question, to an extend it is - because both I (who have been playing with the NXT and watching other interact with it) as well as the reviewer simply do *not* have enough information to make an informed judgement on this issue. I strongly suspect LEGO does (that, after all, is their market).
My personal *opinion*, based on several months of experience, is that it is suitable for 10 year olds. But that doesn't mean it's easy; it will push them. Which, afterall, is the idea ;-).
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Brian Davis
His dad is tech-savvy, which will help the kid manage the building and programming. On his own, though, I think the kid will find the programming too challenging.
Good points all. Rock bottom message: You have to know your kid.
My son is 5 years old and yet he cant program, or build any robots on his own.. he enjoys it very much and we do things together. its something that we both enjoy and the bonding we have gotten out of it is priceless... so I would say ANY age is appropriate..
Right on! If you see a childs eyes 'light up' when he sees the box.. GET IT!
Most you loose is some money that you would have Pi..ed away anyway.
And just MAYBE you have a new Programmer or just a child that LOVES science and 'tinkering!
Like any other children's activity, adult supervision is always helpful -- especially if the adult is a techie.
It may well be that Lego is building off of the interest in school robotics and expecting some kids to want to -- and be able to -- do projects at home.
When he's ready to fly solo, he will... until then, we're in it together.
GEEE What is a 10 year old to do?
am really looking forward to offering the CMU curriculum as an advanced course at our school club. I held off on introducing it in the beginner session because I wanted the students to first become acclimated with the software and building instructions offered in the Robot Educator that is included with the NXT-G Educational kit. It is going to be interesting to see how many of the students would want to continue after introducing a more structured curriculum.
posted by David Levy @ 9:19 AM 0 comments
I am NOT knocking this post at all. But I have a 5 year old Grandaughter that does pretty well with the lego program (Yes, I help a bit) But her older sister could care less...
I guess AGE should NEVER be a factor! Children do their 'OWN' thing and pretty good at it (If they want to!)
I guess I'm telling the school teacher to talk to the students before the class is designed.
Many will go outside for a smoke. Some will stay and listen and give opinions. I was the kid that LOVED Science and would have went outside to smoke.. You never know!