I, Robot

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Original Robot Design”

In this activity, students will use critical thinking and creativity to design their own robot and draw parallels and comparisons to the robots in the text.

How would you design a robot? Asimov’s I, Robot is full of different robots designed for a range of diverse functions. In this activity, design your own robot, making sure to consider the following questions:

• What function is the robot supposed to serve?
• How will the robot be designed so as to accomplish its function(s) as effectively and efficiently as possible?
• What are some potential dangers that this robot may pose? How can these dangers be minimized?
• How will this robot improve human life?

Your design should include a description that conveys the appearance, components, and size of the robot. In a bulleted list, note details regarding each of these points: function, purpose, efficiency, dangers, minimization of risk, and expected improvements as a result of the robot’s work. For each point, cite a situation or detail in the story collection that informed your design decisions regarding that point. Be able to explain your rationale for each design choice, connecting to the story collection and describing how textual details prompted your choices.

Following peers’ presentations, discuss the bigger role that robots and machines are already starting to play in our lives.

Teaching Suggestion: Before students begin, it may be helpful to spend time reflecting on or journaling about the ethical and practical issues posed by robotics. Brief, guided brainstorming sessions may be beneficial in helping readers in their decision-making process regarding the robot’s purpose, appearance, skills, etc.

Differentiation Suggestion: Visual learners or students who would benefit from the use of artistic abilities might create and display a visual representation of their robot; these students may provide their descriptions aloud when they present their artwork to the class.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The Three Laws of Robotics, programmed into every robot, play an important role throughout the collection.

• Of the Three Laws of Robotics, which is represented as the most important? (topic sentence)
• Citing specific passages and/or examples from the text, supply and discuss support for this choice, highlighting how the other two laws are secondary.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate the importance of the Three Laws of Robotics as a story element in the collection.

2. The stories in the collection feature a few recurring human characters, including Dr. Calvin, Gregory Powell, and Mike Donovan.

• What is the collective role of recurring human characters in the collection? (topic sentence)
• Choose 3 characters and discuss each one’s role in the collection, citing specific examples that highlight their relationship with robots. Use examples and details that support your topic sentence.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate the effectiveness of recurring characters in delivering the stories’ central message.

3. Throughout the collection, the goals of the Society for Humanity become clear.

• To what extent is the Society for Humanity’s suspicion regarding robots justified? (topic sentence)
• Describe the ideology and purpose of the Society for Humanity; analyze and discuss through at least 3 examples whether its concerns are valid and to what extent its actions are justified in support of your topic sentence.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, briefly explain how the actions of the Society for Humanity contribute to the development of at least one of the collection’s themes.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. Though robots face opposition from anti-robot factions throughout the time period covered in the collection, by the final chapter it becomes clear that Machines are the real forces controlling Earth. In a structured essay, discuss the ways in which the Machines are the real leaders of the world. What purpose do humans serve in this new Machine-led world? Does the collection suggest that the dominance of the Machines is a good thing or a bad thing? In what ways?

2. In Chapter 5, “Liar!,” Dr. Calvin describes her experience with the mind-reading robot Herbie. Why does Dr. Calvin describe Herbie as a liar? How do the Three Laws of Robotics cause Herbie to lie? In a structured essay, explain how Dr. Calvin ultimately deals with Herbie; analyze and discuss her reasons for doing so. How do other situations in the stories parallel or support her rationale?

3. In Chapter 8, “Evidence,” Dr. Calvin explains to Francis Quinn the difficulty of proving that Stephen Byerley is human: “You just can’t differentiate between a robot and the very best of humans.” What does Dr. Calvin mean by this? How does this statement reflect Dr. Calvin’s attitude toward robots throughout the collection? In a structured essay, analyze and discuss the message conveyed by this scene and chapter. How is the message represented throughout the collection? Use examples and details from other chapters in your discussion.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Why does Dr. Calvin take issue with those who think of the inventors of robots as “blasphemers and demon-creators” (Introduction)?

A) She does not believe in religion.

B) She believes robots are a boon for humanity.

C) She believes robots are more dangerous than people realize.

D) She is intent on world domination.

2. Why does Grace want to get rid of Robbie?

A) Grace is suspicious of robots.

B) Robbie sometimes harms Gloria.

C) Grace wants to get a newer robot.

D) Robbie talks too much.

3. When were robots banned on Earth?

A) They were banned when voiced robots became available.

B) Robots were never banned on Earth.

C) They were banned after the robots started killing humans.

D) They were banned after the robots started killing animals.

4. Why does Speedy return to normal when he sees Powell in danger?

A) Speedy is in love with Powell.

B) Donovan orders him to help Powell.

C) Speedy is bound by the First Law of Robotics.

D) The threat of danger causes a shut down and reboot.

5. Who is the “Master” worshiped by Cutie and the other robots at the space station?

A) Powell

B) Donovan

C) Allah

D) An energy converter

6. What kind of situation triggers Dave’s malfunction?

A) Boredom

B) Unclear instructions

C) An emergency

D) False data

7. How does Dr. Calvin cause Herbie to lose control?

A) By altering his programming

B) By telling him a lie

C) By beating him

D) By confronting him with a dilemma

8. Why are the modified Nestors so unstable?

A) Because their First Law programming has been modified

B) Because they know too much radiation physics

C) Because they do not have positronic brains

D) Because they are unable to talk

9. What exacerbates the missing Nestor’s superiority complex?

A) His unique knowledge of radiation physics

B) His success in coaching a rebellion

C) His physical attractiveness

D) His attempt to hurt Dr. Calvin

10. What does US Robots believe to be the reason that Consolidated’s central brain broke down?

A) It was given false data.

B) It discovered that humans die during hyperspace travel.

C) It was programmed with too many practical jokes.

D) It did not have enough positrons.

11. Who controls the hyperspace ship built by the Brain?

A) Dr. Calvin

B) The Brain

C) Powell and Donovan

D) Dr. Lanning

12. Why would it be a problem for US Robots if Stephen Byerley were a robot?

A) Because he does not obey the Three Laws

B) Because he does not have a positronic brain

C) Because robots are not permitted on inhabited planets

D) Because they have no record of him

13. Other than dismantling him, what is the only way to prove Byerley is not a robot?

A) If he breaks one of the Three Laws

B) If he eats publicly

C) If he is seen sleeping

D) If he can get wet

14. Why is Byerley concerned about the minor dislocations caused by the Machines running the world economy?

A) Dr. Calvin tells him it is a serious problem.

B) He wants to make the Machines illegal.

C) The Machines should be incapable of causing dislocations.

D) He is a machine too.

15. What literary device does the positronic brain represent?

A) Personification

B) Metaphor

C) Deus ex machina

D) Alliteration

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating textual details to support your response.

1. What is the positronic brain? Why is it so important?

2. Who are Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan? What is their main job for US Robotics?