Welcome to the Robotics Course!
Before you begin course work, you'll need to take care of a few setup items. Communicate with the teacher as needed while you work through this list. Schedule at least one FORMAL check-in with the teacher to confirm that you have completed these initial setup steps.
1) Are you actually registered for the course? Is it in your schedule as part of an ELO or as a face-to-face class? Check with the teacher.
2) Communications --
You will use the course website to navigate the course, so find the site and BOOKMARK it.
Join the Google Classroom.
Email the teacher (NOT as a reply). Use email for scheduling conversations with the teacher, questions about your grades, and other individual communication that should not be in the forum or in your engineering journal.
Create a google folder for your robotics materials. Add the "Robotics - Resources" folder to it. The resources folder is also accessible through the "Resources" page of this site.
Inside your robotics google folder, create a google folder called "Robotics - your name" and share it with edit access to your teacher. This is where you can digitally turn in your engineering journal(s) and where the teacher can give you digital feedback/files specific to your projects.
3) Course Expectations -- are you and the teacher clear about how you are communicating, what the expectations are, and how you will be assessed/earn credit? What format will you use for your engineering journal? (see options at the bottom of the page) Be sure that you can add screenshots, photos, and sketches to whatever format you plan to use. Be sure the teacher agrees that the journal format will work and that the teacher can access your journal.
4) Self-Check -- There are lots of potential programming environments for the Lego bricks. To help determine which environment is right for you, complete this self-check - go to code.org/learn and complete one of the "hour of code" modules. Is programming a new experience for you? Was the hour of code review, or new learning? How difficult was it for you? Talk with your teacher to decide what kind of programming environment will best suit you for this course.
5) Hardware -- confirm with the teacher that you have the hardware that you need. (Sign out any equipment you don't already have.) At minimum, you'll need the following:
A robot "brain" -- EV3 LEGO brick, Raspberry Pi, Vex Robotics...
TWO motors
sensors (touch, light, sound, infrared, temperature....)
connecting cables (for brick, power, and sensors)
wheels/gears/bricks/beams for construction
6) Software -- confirm with the teacher that you have the appropriate software installed and functioning on a computer you can access. Be sure that your software communicates with your robotics brick. **It can be a bit complicated to get your computer, your programming environment, and your brick to work together...
The Rasperry Pi will use a modified version of Raspian - it has the Brick Pi code library / module in it
The EV3 programming environment is free and works with both EV3 and NXT bricks
Robolab is only available within the school building. It's older but works with RCX and NXT bricks
RobotC is no longer supported but works with the RCX bricks
Bricx also works with RCX
7) FORMATIVE SELF-CHECK: Check that your journal communication format, your basic hardware, and your software are all working.
Create a "robot" that just turns on a motor or makes a specific sound when you start the program.
Create a "journal" document called "Initial Setup."
Type in a title and date in your "journal."
Add a photo of your "robot."
Add a "handwritten" sketch or note on your "robot."
8) PROGRESS CHECK: Formally check-in with the teacher once you believe you have completed all of these setup tasks.
Format options for your Engineering Journals:
Google Doc (using lots of inserted sketches, photos, and screenshots) - in your "Robotics - your name" folder
Notability (with programming screenshots) - regularly uploaded as NOTE file with the date and your name in the title to your "Robotics - your name" folder
Paper notebook (ONLY if you are in the face-to-face class) - must bring it to class daily
Other ideas? Confirm with the teacher.
Be sure to check the resources folder for notes on the required sections in your engineering journals.