RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

Lesson 3. Arduino IDE (Sketch)

Part 1. Preparation
A. Rationale
The Arduino Integrated Development Environment - or Arduino Software (IDE) is important to
learn and analyze because it contains a text editor for writing code, a message area, a text console, a
toolbar with buttons for common functions and a series of menus. It connects to the Arduino and Genuino
hardware to upload programs and communicate with them.

B. Standards (RoboTek 7 Competencies; NGSS)

NGSS Standards
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
Analyzing and interpreting data
Asking questions and defining problems
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

C. Learning Outcomes
 Identify the parts of the Arduino IDE.
 Name the different icons under the sketch menu.

D. Learning Resources
Materials: Learning Module
Technology: ICT (PowerPoint)

Part 2. Lesson Proper

Draw swords

This quick fire game tests students’ fine motor skills and promotes quick thinking, as well as generating
some healthy competition.

Resources: Dictionary or textbook, plus list of key vocabulary.

Game: Split your class into small groups and choose a student from each group to start. The nominated
student then places the dictionary or textbook under their arm. You then say a word or image, which the
students must then race to find in their book (like drawing a sword from under their arm!). The first
RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

student to find the word/image is the winner. The game continues with different words/images until every
student has had a turn.

Sample words: file, menu bar, upload, sketch

Alternative: If you have enough textbooks or dictionaries for every student then the whole class can
compete against each other.

B. Explore

Base on the given definition below try to guess the parts of Arduino Integrated Development
Environment

Verify: Compiles and checks your code. It will catch errors in syntax (like missing
semi-colons or parenthesis).
Upload: Sends your code to the Arduino board. When you click it, you should see the
lights on your board blink rapidly.
New: This buttons opens up a new code window tab.
Open: This button will let you open up an existing sketch.
Save: This saves the currently active sketch.
Serial Monitor: This will open a window that displays any serial information your
Arduino board is transmitting. It is very useful for debugging.
Sketch Name: This shows the name of the sketch you are currently working on.
Code Area: This is the area where you write the code for your sketch.
Message Area: This is where the IDE tells you if there were any errors in your code.
Text Console: The text console shows complete error messages. When debugging, the
text console is very useful.
Board and Serial Port: Shows you what board and the serial port selections
RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

C. Explain
Arduino Interface Development Environment

Checks your sketch for errors compiling it; it will report memory usage for code
1. Verify/Compile
and variables in the console area.

Compiles and loads the binary le onto the configured board through the
2. Upload
configured Port.

3. Upload Using This will overwrite the bootloader on the board; you will need the Tools > Burn
Programmer Bootloader to restore it and be able to Upload to USB serial port again

4. Export Compiled Binary Saves a .hex le that may be kept as archive or sent to the board using other tools.

5. Show Sketch Folder Opens the current sketch folder.

Adds a library to your sketch by inserting #include statements at the start of your
6. Include Library
code.

7. Add File Adds a source le to the sketch (it will be copied from its current location).

D. Elaborate
Fill in the blanks.

 The check mark appearing in the circular button is used to verify the code. Click this once you
have written your code.
 The arrow key will upload and transfer the required code to the Arduino board.
 The dotted paper is used for creating a new file.
 The upward arrow is reserved for opening an existing Arduino project.
 The downward arrow is used to save the current running code.
RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

 The button appearing on the top right corner is a Serial Monitor – A separate pop-up window
that acts as an independent terminal and plays a vital role for sending and receiving the Serial Data.

E. Evaluate 6/6

PART 1 ANSWERS:
1. Verify
2. Upload
3. New
4. Open
5. Save
6. Serial Monitor

II. Identify what is being described. Write your answer on the space provided.
Export Compiled Binary 1. Saves a .hex file that may be kept as archive or sent to the board using
other tools.
Show Sketch Folder 2. Opens the current sketch folder.
Include Library 3. Adds a library to your sketch by inserting #include statements at the start of
your code.
Add File 4. Adds a source file to the sketch (it will be copied from its current location).
Verify/Compile 5. Checks your sketch for errors while compiling it; it will report memory usage
for code and variables in the console area.
Upload 6. Compiles and loads the binary file onto the configured board through the
configured Port.
Upload Using Programmer 7. This will overwrite the boot loader on the board; you will need to use
Tools > Burn Boot loader to restore it and be able to Upload to USB serial port again.

Part 3. Teachers’ Reflection