Follow the task
Define the world
Draw a 3 × 3 grid and state the coordinate directions. Place a paper token at a named cell and orientation. Define F as one cell forward and L/R as a quarter-turn in place. Moving beyond the grid is an error.
Predict each state
Give a short instruction sequence and ask the learner to record cell and direction after every command. The observer follows the defined commands literally rather than silently correcting an ambiguous instruction.
Trace and debug
Move the token and compare every state with the prediction. Stop at the first difference. Change one instruction and replay from the same starting state, recording why the revision addresses that difference.
Keep the key and boundary case
Write the full expected trace and one sequence that crosses the boundary. Completion means a correct trace and an explained revision. It is not proof of a general learning gain or the capability of a commercial robot.
Read the diagram as text
The paper trace F, F, L, F starts east at (0,0) and ends north at (2,1).
- World/commands
- F moves; L/R turn in place
- Initial state
- (0,0), east
- Complete trace
- F,F,L,F → (2,1), north
- Boundary and revision
- A forward step beyond row 2 fails
A worked example
Let x increase east and y north. Start at (0,0) facing east. F gives (1,0,E); F gives (2,0,E); L gives (2,0,N); F gives (2,1,N). An extra F reaches (2,2,N); one more F would leave the grid. This complete trace supplies both a worked answer and a failing boundary case.
Illustrative example, not a reported purchase, client project or product test.
The completed record
- World/commands
- F moves; L/R turn in place
- Initial state
- (0,0), east
- Complete trace
- F,F,L,F → (2,1), north
- Boundary and revision
- A forward step beyond row 2 fails
Download blank record (.csv) ↗Download worked example (.csv) ↗
Your own record
- □ World/commands: ____________________
- □ Initial state: ____________________
- □ Complete trace: ____________________
- □ Boundary and revision: ____________________
Keep the distinction clear
CS Unplugged’s Kidbots provides primary educational context for sequences and debugging. This page has its own coordinate example and answer key. The old NAO article’s autism and therapy claims are not supported by this activity and are not reproduced. The paper exercise is not described as a recovered NAO application or tested clinical intervention.
Where this guide stops
Education only, with no medical or special-education efficacy claim. No hardware, personal information or software installation is needed.
Continue with a related task
- Plan a shared classroom tablet session around the learning task ↗
- Plan a tutoring trial around one learning question ↗
Sources and original context
The earlier topic was published 2022-02-10 under the Maria Baldwin byline. The present procedure and illustrative record are by MichaelT editorial.