rolyjones
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- 3Average Rating
- 135Helpfulness Votes
- 0Featured Reviews
- 1Review Count
- July 29, 2017First Review
- July 29, 2017Last Review
rolyjones's Reviews
Posted:July 29, 2017
rolyjones
Age:
45-54
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Educator
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Overall:
3
/
5
Good entertainment, not great education
" The big failing with the EV3 robotics system is that after building a model it just gives you the program to run it. It does not really teach you how to code the program to run the model, or what different coading options are available or appropriate. Lego Boost does not have this failing. There is a large number of coading exercises and options that are given at various points throughout the build of each of the 5 models provided. However, it does have some significant disadvantages compared with EV3.
Despite what it says on the box, it is not going to help your child to learn to code. There are no variables, conditional looping, and only very limited switching in the scratch-like code. As a result, programming is limited to executing strings of commands. There are some built in functions that allow the robot to react to its environment, but these cannot be coaded using the standard instructions. Your child will learn how to put together stings of instructions, but will not learn any real coading.
The builds are rather complex. As they mostly use the standard lego stud bricks, rather than the lego technic bricks there are a lot of complex, specialized pieces in the set. The build instructions are very systematic and clear, so there should not be problems with the standard builds, but the complexity of the peices will make it difficult for your child to build their own designs.
One other shortcoming is that the software is quite buggy. At many points, I had to shut down the software, and restart it, and restart the robot to get the example programs to work. Lego’s software QA has never been great, but I hope that things will improve as there are newer releases of the software. Also, be aware that the software will only run on specific iOS and android tablets. There is no PC based software, which is very frustrating. I have to steal my wife’s iPad to run the software. Make sure that you have the right hardware before you purchase.
The educational We-Do set suffers from similar building and coading issues. If your child has been using a we-do set in class, this Boost set compliments We-Do well, so is a good option if they want to continue their learning at home. The set is well thought out and very entertaining, but it will not teach them anything significant about coading or robotics. For this you will have to step up to an EV3 set. The Boost Crative Toolbox set is a very entertaining set, but is not great for education.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: San Jose
From:
United States
State:
California
Age:
45-54
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Educator
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Play Experience (Optional):
4
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
4
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
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135of 157found this review helpful.