Remote Robotics Teacher & Student Setup and Technical Requirements

Overview

To facilitate Distance Learning and Remote Robotics, a teacher and a student will each need the following:

  • Curriculum Access -  All lessons and course materials are available via a web browser, so a device with a web browser is required.
  • Distance Learning Access -- Distance Learning requires a device, preferably with a web camera to access Zoom, Teams or other Distance Learning to setup and join a class.
  • Meeper App Access -- the Meeper App allows a student to code and control the remote robotics and a teacher to setup a Control Room to enable student access to the teacher robotics.  An iOS, Android or Chromebook with the proper bluetooth version is required. 

You will need a device(s) to access the Curriculum, access Distance Learning (e.g. Zoom, Teams, etc) and run the Meeper app.  You can do one or all of these on a single device if it meets all of the device requirements.  For example, if you have a compatible iOS tablet or Chromebook with bluetooth you can run the curriculum in the browser and the Meeper app at the same time on this device.  You can utilize the browser and camera on the device to join the teachers' distance learning class on Zoom or Teams.  Students and teachers would then flip between these three applications as they are working.  

Recommended Device Setup 

A recommended student/teacher setup would be two devices:

  1. PC, Mac or Chromebook (with camera) for Curriculum Access & Distance Learning Access
  2. iOS Tablet/Phone, Android Tablet/Phone, or Chromebook (with bluetooth) for Meeper App Access

To clarify, the requirements for the Teacher and the Student are the same.  Two devices is the recommended setup for the Teacher and the recommended setup for the Student.  Each would have their own 2 devices with them in their location.  As noted though a student (or teacher) could use their one compatible device for everything.

Technical Requirements

Curriculum Access & Distance Learning

PC, Mac or Chromebook (with camera) with the following: 

  • PC or Chromebook - The course can be run with any personal computer, tablet or Chromebook device with a browser. We recommend the latest Chrome browser. 
  • Webcam or Camera - To run the course remotely with students via Distance Learning, each student should have a device that contains a webcam or camera. The instructor should also have a webcam or camera on their device.
    • Alternatively the student would not have to have a camera and the teacher could describe to the student the actions the BOTS and circuits are taking providing student coaching and feedback.
  • Internet Access — Internet is required to run the course. 
  • Google Apps — Access to Google Apps like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides is required (though, Microsoft Office alternatives are available) to utilize and edit student and teacher resources.
  • YouTube — Lessons and activities utilize videos hosted on the YouTube platform. YouTube must be a whitelisted website to run the course.
  • Access to GSuite Tools or Microsoft Office

Meeper App Access 

iOS Tablet/Phone, Android Tablet/Phone, or Chromebook (with bluetooth 4.0+) for Meeper App Access

Tablet vs Phone

Tablets are a better experience than a phone due to the larger screen.  The Control screens for the BOT and circuit are easily done on a phone.  The larger screen on the tablet does make coding easier to allow users to drag and drop the code, see the program and see the generated code all on one screen easily.  However, many students do use their phones for coding as well.

Device Compatibility

The Meeper Controller App is compatible with iOS, Android or Chromebook smart devices that support the 4.0 version Bluetooth (BLE).  For information on compatible devices, you can check here.  You can download the App and if your bluetooth is not the proper version, the App will not install. 

Advance Prep for Remote Robotics Course

Both teachers and students can download the Meeper App in advance of the class.  For information on downloading the Meeper App, check here.

Teachers and Students can learn more about Remote Robotics and setting up and accessing a Meeper Control Room for Remote Robotics in advance of the class as well.  These video tutorials can be shared and accessed in advance here. 

Remote Robotics Class Setup

For Remote Robotics, both the teacher and the student will each have a device running the Meeper App.  Here is a nice set of video tutorials on how to setup Remote Robotics here.  

To setup for Remote Robotics, the teacher will Host a Control Room on the Meeper App.  They will then share the Control Room 4-digit code with students who will Join their Control Room from the student device also running the Meeper App.  

Then the student will be able to control and code the teachers' BOTS and circuit and complete the Robotics lessons. 

 

Note:  Students and Teachers do not have to have the same type of device for the Meeper App -- any combination of iOS, Android or Chromebooks all work interchangeably with the Meeper Remote Robotics for Teachers to Host a Meeper Control Room and for Students to join a Meeper Control Room.