The Dash Robot helps elementary educators teach coding basics and, with these helpful hints, you can enjoy a smooth process from start to finish.

  1. The Dash has a run time of up to five hours or 90 continuous minutes of classroom use.
  2. The USB cables that come with these kits provide students with the fastest charging time.
  3. The robot connects via Bluetooth to compatible devices, including iOS, Android, and Kindle.
  4. No Wi-Fi connection is needed to run the Dash Robot—only for initially downloading apps.
  5. Students can connect only one Dash Robot to a given programming device at a time.
 


If you're looking for some Dash Robot instructions, this is the place to be. The Dash Robot is designed for students aged six and up, making it a great option for kids who have never tried robotics or coding before. It helps them see how the blocks they connect bring their robot's actions to life in a tangible way. Whether you're looking for something for students to use after school or for robotics in the classroom, the Dash is a powerful and user-friendly option for elementary-aged kids. Plus, it's easy to update, install, and integrate with classroom devices in various types of learning environments.


Getting Started with the Dash Robot:


With the purchase of Dash Robots, teachers also receive a charging cord, building brick connectors, and a Getting Started guide. The robot has a play time that's up to five hours long and a standby time that is as long as 30 days. It can, however, typically only run for about 90 consecutive minutes but it is rechargeable. The Dash is powered by an internal lithium ion battery and students can charge it using the included cable. If you do lose this cord, you can use any other micro USB cable for charging, although this one will provide the best charging time. While the battery is rechargeable, it's not, however, removable. You shouldn't try to replace the battery and removing it will likely void any active warranties. You'll know it is charging when its charging port lights up and blinks. Once that light is steady, the battery is fully charged.


the wonder workshop coding app



Devices:


The first thing educators might wonder is how to connect to the Dash Robot. As you might already know, the Dash connects via Bluetooth to many compatible devices. In fact, Dash Robot compatibility spans a large list of devices, including many iOS, Android, Kindle, and Chromebook machines. If your robot is not connecting to the Dash Robot apps, first ensure it's compatible with the approved devices below:


Dash Robot iOS Compatibility:

dash robot iOS compatibility



The Dash Robot's Android Compatibility:

dash robot android compatibility chart


Dash Robot Kindle Compatibility:

wonder workshop kindle compatibility


The Dash Robot's Chromebook Compatibility:

Dash Robot Chromebook Compatibility


Below, you can find some noteworthy takeaways from these tables. The Go app (one of the apps most commonly used with the Dash) is not compatible with iPhones and only available in English. Any of the other five Dash coding apps for iOS devices should work perfectly fine.


Conversely, the Nexus 7 (2013) can only connect to one robot at a time. We recommend that all Nexus 7 users consider this when deciding on the number of Dash Robots and devices to purchase. Users with OS Version Marshmallow (Android 6.0) and above can connect to two or more robots at a time, however.


Coding with the Blockly app.


The Blockly app is the only Wonder Workshop coding app currently accessible on Chromebooks. However, students can access the virtual Dash's Neighborhood coding environment on their Chromebooks as well. If you use Chromebooks for coding in your classroom, we recommend doing some extra research on the Wonder Workshop Blockly app to ensure compatibility with student skill sets and your instructional goals.


The Wonder Workshop team also recently released a key update to its Blockly app. It now includes in-app read-aloud support, so it's easy for young students and pre-readers to use when programming the Dash. Students or educators can toggle read-aloud support on within the Classroom Management section of the Make Wonder (previously Class Connect) platform and enable or disable it as they please for each various Blockly puzzle. When it's enabled, a small icon appears on each puzzle page and any text on those pages will automatically narrate. Students can find these text features within the story prompts in their puzzles but it's not currently available within the individual coding blocks.


Tips & Tricks | The Dash Robot Simulator


The Swift app is solely available for iOS devices. This provides students with a more in-depth programming experience when using the Dash Robot. If students are new to coding, however, it's best for them to start out with one of the more simplistic apps, like Path, Blockly, Wonder, or Go.


The Path and Go Android apps are currently only available in English. Also, all Dash coding apps for Kindle devices are currently only available in English.


the dash robot in its box with USB charging cable


If you’re still having issues connecting, we recommend turning off your Bluetooth and then turning off your device. Turning everything back on and then trying to re-connect it all usually seems to work well. Students should also refrain from pairing their robot from within their device’s Bluetooth settings. Generally, if they've done this, it's best to unpair it and connect from within one of the Wonder Workshop apps.


Updating the Robot's Firmware:


Some issues may arise if the robot’s firmware is not up to date. Before you update it, make sure your robot has a full battery or is charging. To find the firmware version your robots are currently running, open up the app, connect to your robot, open the menu, and locate the firmware version. Once you’re ready to update it, follow the Wonder Workshop team’s instructions below:

  1. Hold all three orange buttons, plus the power button, until the lights turn red, then release them. The lights will slowly blink red and then turn off. If you miss the red lights, just keep holding the buttons and release them when they become red again.

  2. Then, open your app (Wonder, Blockly, etc.) and search for robots to connect to. You should see one called “DFU DASH.”

  3. Tap the picture of your robot to connect to it and follow the prompts to update the firmware.

  4. When the update finishes, your robot should connect, power on, and be ready to go.

Classroom Tips for Teachers.

  • You don't need a Wi-Fi connection to use the Dash since it doesn't connect directly to the Internet. You'll only need Wi-Fi for initially downloading the apps, receiving updates, and for utilizing a few of the robot's features, such as the Wonder Cloud, within the Wonder app.
  • Students can connect only one robot to any given device at a time. So, if they'd like to program two Dash Robots simultaneously, they would need two devices. In addition, remember that progress on programs and challenges is saved on individual devices, not on the robots themselves.
  • If many students are using multiple Dash Robots within the same area, their devices may begin to connect and disconnect from robots other than their own. The best way to alleviate this issue is to give each student's robot a unique name. When their robot is connected to their app, students can change the name of their robot to whatever they'd like. If the problem persists, you may need a more targeted solution.


Integrating the Make Wonder system.

  • To find and run coding activities for students, we'd encourage educators to explore the Make Wonder platform. Within this system, they can find PD materials, create classes, track student progress, assign activities, and more. This is also how you'd share access to the Dash's Neighborhood environment for students to program the virtual Dash Robot.
  • You need a subscription to access Make Wonder, and they're available as part of most Dash Robot bundles for one, two, or three years. There are also bundles without robots that provide access to the Make Wonder platform by itself if you already have Dash robots or just want to try out the virtual Dash's Neighborhood. Progress students make is saved within Make Wonder but may be erased if school Internet systems refresh regularly. If this is the case, check with your IT administrator and see if they can create a rule to never clear the cache for the Blockly website.

  • If you have more than one Dash Robot and need help telling them apart, students can re-name them within any of the apps. They could do this by tapping the orange ‘Settings’ button to edit their names. They can also add stickers or labels to the physical robot so they always know which one they're connecting to.

the dash coding robot sitting next to a tablet running a coding app


Addressing issues with the Dash coding apps.


  • There may be cases of in-app issues when coding with the Dash. For example, if students are building a Blockly program and a red exclamation point appears, preventing them from fully running it, this could just be random. This is a known issue and affects certain iPads from time to time. Typically, closing and reopening the apps or powering down and powering up your device helps solve this problem. The Wonder Workshop team updated the Blockly app in November 2021 and included this fix. To ensure you have the latest version, check which one students are using.
  • Another thing to keep in mind is that Dash coding apps may not update automatically on student or teacher devices. In many schools, there are procedures in place to block automatic updates. No need to worry, however, because you can check if apps need updating any time and update them manually.


Other helpful tips to keep in mind.

  • If your Dash Robots are too loud for the classroom, you can adjust the volume in the ‘Settings’ section in any of the apps (the same section where kids can edit their robot's names). If trying to get the Dash to respond to clapping, be sure that students press the play or start button to begin the program prior to attempting a clap. There's an indicator that moves through the program and, when it reaches the clap block, that's when students should clap. They can also try tapping the robot's surface to simulate a clapping sound if it's too loud in the classroom.

  • If your Dash Robot needs some cleaning, only use a soft, lint-free cloth. Abrasive materials, sprays, and liquids, specifically, will damage the robot and void its warranty.
  • Very flat, smooth surfaces are best for using the Dash Robot. It can drive on carpet but its wheels may encounter difficulty and can possibly create inaccurate speed and distance measurements. If the Dash's wheels seem stuck, you can try rotating them back to the normal position. It may also be helpful to check for any small pieces of debris that have become lodged within the wheel area.

  • Finally, don’t worry—there is no built-in camera anywhere within the Dash Robot.


We hope this helps with any Dash Robot troubleshooting questions that you've had and inspires educators to give these robots a try in computer science classes! To purchase the single Dash Robots or any in-depth classroom packs, visit the Wonder Workshop section of our store. You'll also find a few of the best Dash Robot and curriculum options below. Finally, check out more blogs and make sure you're following us on both Twitter and Instagram for additional Tips & Tricks!


Set up a conversation with us to learn more about the right robotics tools for your classroom.

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