Computer Science Level 1 With Vexcode VR Virtual Robotics Programming

Students will learn how to program a virtual VEX robot to move through various virtual "playgrounds" using a programming interface based on Scratch (no previous Scratch knowledge necessary).  

Class Syllabus:
Week 1 & 2 - Introduction & Moving Your Robot:  This week will have a general introduction to the website and the programming tools.  Students will learn how to move the robot forward, backwards, right and left, and how to sequence these commands to meet the goal of knocking all the Castle Crasher pieces off the table.  
Week 3 & 4 - Repeating Behaviors & Navigating a Maze:  Students will learn how to use repeat loops and the pen tool to create a drawing as their robot drives on the playground.  For the next lesson, student will use the robot's sensor input to program the robot to navigate a maze using the Bumper Switch.
Week 5 & 6 - Knowing Your Location & Decisions with Colors:  Learners will program the robots using the front and down distance sensor "eyes" to navigate a virtual playground. Programming will incorporate the Drivetrain, Sensing and Control coding blocks. Students will use the color sensor combined with conditional programming statements ("If/Else", etc.) to navigate a maze.  
Week 7 & 8 - Disk Mover Challenge & Algorithms: Students use the Electromagnet on the robot to find and pickup disks to transport using the loop programming skills they have previously learned.  We will take a look at how to develop algorithms and explore bonus material and address student-directed learning for our final session.

For each class, the teacher will introduce the lesson, and then model it using screen sharing.  Students can work along as the teacher demonstrates and will be encouraged to screen share to ask for help and show their  progress.   Students will be encouraged to help one another problem solve and troubleshoot their code.

My teaching style is structured, but also informal and flexible.  Lectures will be short (less than 5 minutes). I will expect students to listen and watch during the demo part, but will encourage them to ask questions or to share their ideas and solutions as we go over the basic lesson. This is very much a hands-on "watch and try" format. I have extensive experience working with all types of learners and my classes are autism/ADHD/LD-friendly and open to all learners.  There is very minimal reading involved, so this is an ideal class for students with reading challenges.  

Students will need to know how to screen share and resize program windows (I can help!).  They will also need to know how to type in a URL to get to the site we will be using and how to click and drag-and-drop on their device.  This programming website works on many platforms:  Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPad or Android tablet.