Students will learn how to program a virtual VEX robot to move through various virtual "playgrounds" using Python programming language.  This class is an excellent choice for those who are ready to move from block-based to text-based programming.

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 as they complete the tasks on the Vex VR website.  Students will be encouraged to download their code and submit it or send a screenshot.  Other students will be encouraged to help with troubleshooting and problem-solving ideas.

My teaching style is structured, but also informal and flexible.  I will encourage students to ask questions or to share their ideas and solutions after viewing each 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 type in a URL to get to the site we will be using and how to click and drag-and-drop on their device.  Basic typing skills are a plus. This programming website works on many platforms:  Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPad or Android tablet.