LEGO Robot Programming Exercise Support for Problem Solving Learning with Game Strategy Planning Tools

In an introduction to C programming exercise, it is important for college students to promote their interest and motivation. The goal of programming exercise is to obtain the skill for problem solving by algorithmic thinking and program implementation. A teacher must give them attractive and concrete subjects. Robot contest and group collaboration is one of the suitable styles for the purpose. We propose a game programming exercise using a simple robot kit LEGO Mindstorms. We are developing support environment GoalPost. In this paper, we introduce a framework of group programming exercise as a competition event with game-like problems for LEGO robot. Students learn to design their game strategy and realize it as an effective program. We discuss the four support levels of strategy design based on stepwise refinement. We offer support tools corresponding to visual representation product for each level. The aim of our research is to improve applicative ability and challenging activity of students through group works for the goal.