I, Robot - Introduction

"I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

Lessons by E.S. Belasic

http://www.middleschoolscience.com

Introduction:

Possible discussion questions prior to reading the novel:

What does the word robot mean to you? What do you think a robot is?
What does a robot look like? Do they all have human forms or can they take multiple forms?
If you were to write a definition for the word robot, what would you write?
The exact definitions for the term robot are as follows:

ro•bot (source - http://factmonster.com )

Pronunciation: (rO'but, -bot), —n.
1. a machine that resembles a human and does mechanical, routine tasks on command.
2. a person who acts and responds in a mechanical, routine manner, usually subject to another's will; automaton.
3. any machine or mechanical device that operates automatically with humanlike skill.

robot Robotics. any mechanical device that can be programmed to perform a number of tasks involving manipulation and movement under automatic control. Because of its use in science fiction, the term robot suggests a machine that has a humanlike appearance or that operates with humanlike capacities; in actuality modern industrial robots have very little physical resemblance to humans. (source - http://www.harcourt.com/dictionary/ )
How does your definition of the word robot compare to these definitions?
What are some robots that you encounter on a daily basis?
How does our society use robots today?

BrainPOP:

Watch the short movie about Robots and answer these questions:

Robot Brain Pop (Questions by S. Baker)

1) A robot is different from a machine because:

a) they have brains

b) they do things that are human or animal-like over and over again

c) there isn't a difference

2. A robot's brain is a __________.

3. A robot's joints are operated by a ____________ and can move _________ degrees

4. A ________ is a mechanical devise controlled by a computer.

5. Every task a robot does must be built into its _____________.

6. The ____________ probe was a robot sent to mars.

7. Signals sent from sensors on a robot to its computer are called _____________.

8. _______________________ wrote books about computers.

9. Which is not a robot?

a) Moby

b) space probe

c) remote control cars

Permission granted for educational use in the classroom.