Robotics & the meaning of life: a practical guide to things that think
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| 1 Computer-marked assignment (CMA) | |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This ten-week online course will introduce you to robotics and the design of intelligent machines. You will investigate the relationship between robots and humans, and question what it means for a machine to be intelligent in the context of what it means to be human. Even if you are a complete beginner, you will be able to build simulations of autonomous robots according to easy-to-follow instructions. These will be programmed using special software appropriate for complete novices. You can also choose alternative practical activities that make use of the LEGO MindStorms™ Robotics Invention kit (not provided).
Course content
This course, which is part of the Maths, Computing and Technology Faculty’s Relevant Knowledge programme, is presented online. At its core is a website to which only registered students have access and through which all the specially prepared teaching, assessment and other course materials are presented. The book I, Robot by Isaac Asimov and a DVD James May’s Big Ideas: Man-machine are also included. The course has a CD-based interactive teaching laboratory created specially for T184. This includes OU-RobotLab, a specially written software package to enable complete beginners to program real and simulated robots. The online forum allows you to exchange ideas with other students, and to seek help and advice from the course moderators. Approximately 10 hours study per week is required over ten weeks, including time for exercises and assessment. The course is quite an intensive study experience. If you miss a week, especially near the beginning, you may find it hard to catch up.
Entry
The course will appeal to a wide variety of people, for example: those wanting to understand the role that robots increasingly play in our lives; those wanting to gain practical experience in building and programming robots; parents and grandparents wanting to share ideas about robots with their children and grandchildren; and teachers wanting to use robotics in the classroom.
You need to be a fairly confident computer user, able to install software, use ‘Office’ software, and browse the internet. If you don't feel comfortable with this, you might want to take an introductory computing course first.
You do not need any prior experience of programming or robot construction.
Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to courses at Level 2. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
Although you need not have had much experience with a computer, you will need to install software and get an account with an internet service provider (ISP) before the course begins. If you don’t feel comfortable about doing that on your own, you might want to take a basic introductory course at a local college before you start the course.
Qualifications
This course can count towards most of our degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change. It is up to you to ensure that you are properly informed about the circumstances in which the course can count towards these qualifications. You should think carefully about fitting 10 points into a degree that consists mostly of 30-point and 60-point courses.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
If you use special hardware or software you must, well before the course begins, find out whether it will work with the course software. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer, make sure that you have our booklet Meeting your Needs. You can obtain a copy by contacting our Student Registration & Enquiry Service. We provide a range of support services for individual needs but some of these may take several months to arrange. Please contact us for advice if you have concerns about taking this course, or about the support that could be provided. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you choose the MindStormsTM kit activities (see below) you need a level of manual dexterity reasonable for assembling small robots from LEGO components, and good enough eyesight to observe experiments, otherwise you may need someone to help you build the robot or conduct the experiments. Please ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for advice.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Access to the course website; CD-ROM with special software developed for the course; Isaac Asimov’s book I, Robot; James May’s Big ideas: Man-machine DVD and access to the OU Library.
You will need
You should be prepared to spend significant amounts of time online (at least four hours a week). This may mean extra charges to your telephone bill unless you have a package which provides unlimited use of the internet.
If you want to learn the practical skills of building and programming physical robots, the course has alternative activities using the LEGO® MindStorms™ Robotics Invention System (RCX version 1 and 2), programmed using the OU-RobotLab environment. If you choose these activities, you must provide this kit (a factsheet containing further information is available from the T184 course team). However, we do not recommend that this kit is bought especially for the course. You can follow the course satisfactorily without such a kit. All students are sent the same course materials which include both simulator and kit-based practical activities; you can choose which to carry out as you study. The course assessment covers both alternatives.
Note that OU-RobotLab does not work with LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots, nor can you build the T184 robot using the LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit. Also, note that LEGO MindStorms Robotics Invention System does not work with all versions of Windows. Depending on your version of MindStorms, you will need either a free USB or a free serial port. It is your responsibility to ensure that MindStorms works with your computer.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Study support
The course is taught entirely online. You will not have an individual tutor, but you can use the online forum to ask for help and advice about any aspect of the course. The forum will be overseen by experienced academic moderators. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the forum, because it is an excellent source of support and information.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eCMA system to submit your mid-course computer-marked assignment and the online eTMA system to submit your end-of-course assessment (ECA).
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in May and October 2010. We expect it to be available at the same time twice a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT and Engineering and Technology.
Study explained
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- Study explained
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Student Reviews
T184 is a fascinating course that will open your eyes as to what is happening in the world of robotic ...
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A good solid course and very thought provoking. If you are open minded and like to embrace new concepts and ...
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