**3.6 RVW technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK)**

This section discusses the intersections of pedagogy and technology to offer supporting applications for students to develop their strategies to solve ill-structured problems. Students who complete the challenges provided within the RVW Level Builder software, such as the Turning Challenge, will be ready to create their own virtual environment. As previously demonstrated (**Video 2**, https://drive.google. com/file/d/1Aj0sxMaZGRnMeIIa0Ni-jmis9fp7rQjj/view?usp=sharing) there are two options to enact a program in RVW Level Builder. The first is "Play" and the second is "Build." When the programmer selects "Build", the system presents a blank playfield with one "Start" Block (**Figure 4**).

### *3.6.1 Level builder custom virtual environment*

Students can customize their virtual Level Builder environment by dragging and dropping objects provided by RVW onto the playfield and saving their unique environment for continued development (**Figure 4**). Most exciting is that the student can create 3D objects using free online platforms such as Tinkercad [13] offered by Autodesk [Autodesk], export the resulting ".stl" file to the download folder of their computer, and import this file to Level Builder (**Video 3**, https://drive.google.com/ file/d/1ddxnW7pp3KdELAbh53vAfdSC5spGUEp0/view?usp=sharing). Their custom 3D object becomes an obstacle to navigate around or an object to be "picked up" and carried by the arm and claw of the Clawbot Vex IQ virtual robot.

### **Figure 4.** *Robot virtual worlds level builder – build option.*

*Virtual Robotics in Hybrid Teaching and Learning DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.102038*

### *3.6.2 View custom 3D objects in augmented reality*

Thus far, this chapter discussed the Vex VR and Robot Virtual Worlds virtual reality applications where the user observes a robot navigating a coded environment on a computer screen. Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information into a user's real surroundings. Learners use a mobile phone or tablet running an application such as Merge Object Viewer [36] to facilitate the projection of objects onto a Merge Cube [14] into their current environment. This type of AR application is useful to students who designed a 3D object using Tinkercad and wish to view the object in their current environment before uploading it to Level Builder (**Video 4**, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hTu\_54BD9MkXa8bLj4brcMiG-8vw1p4K/ view?usp=sharing). Additionally, the student can observe the object for size and expectations before upload to their custom Level Builder environment.

### *3.6.3 3D printing services*

If the teacher, coach, or parent wants to print the student's custom 3D object, companies such as MakeXYZ [37] offer services to upload the.stl file, select inexpensive materials, and ship the resulting 3D object to you. The object can be used later with a Vex IQ robot on a physical playfield. Printing services provide several benefits to teachers, coaches, and parents who do not have access to a 3D printer and raw materials. Printing in 3D requires a large block of time, often overnight for one object. The extruder of the printer that melts the raw material filament can be approximately 280° C or 536° F [38], which requires adult supervision. If the roll of filament becomes jammed during printing, it can pull the extruder off the printer and ruin the printed object. Printing services provide access to 3D objects for students in face-toface, synchronous, or asynchronous learning environments.

### **3.7 RVW technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK)**

The RVW package provides *every* learner with an opportunity to code in RobotC, practice navigation in pre-packaged challenges, and create custom virtual worlds. The integration of student-created 3D objects into RVW with the option to observe and jury their creation using AR applications such as Merge prepares each student to become a producer of custom programs that transitions well to physical robotics.

### **4. Transition from virtual to physical robotics**

Teachers, coaches, and parents who shepherd learners through the world of virtual robotics will be well-positioned to take the leap into physical robotics. The RVW package has a compiler target for a virtual or a physical robot. The students can compile and download the same program that they developed to navigate their custom Lebel Builder world to a physical Vex robot via a computer-to-robot USB cord. Obstacles crafted from recycled materials and placed on the floor of a classroom, community center, or home provides a workable test environment. It is helpful to create a "game" to have teams of students develop a scenario to have the robot gain "points" as the it navigates a custom, physical playfield. Example of games that this author's students developed included a home base for astronauts on the Moon and a distribution center for clean water in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Each time the robot accomplished a task using its sensors, the team gained points. It is important to note that teams can share the same physical robots by downloading their program to the robot brain. Sharing the same robots requires teams' agreement on the "build" of the robot to agree upon the location of the sensors.
