$19

weekly

or $150 for all content

Programming Your Own VEX IQ Robot With Vexcode IQ Blocks - Level 1SP

Completed by 12 learners

Ages 8-13

Self-Paced Course

This course is for robotics students who have a VEX IQ robot at home and want to learn to program it using a Scratch-like interface.

Sally Morris - Tech/SPED

Average rating:

4.8

Number of reviews:

(230 reviews)

Star Educator

8 pre-recorded lessons

8 weeks of teacher support

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1 year of access to the content

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Go at your own pace

Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.

Enroll Now, Start Anytime

Start when you want.

Learn at your own pace

Access course material for a full year.

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About Learning Overview Schedule Teacher Reviews

What's included

8 pre-recorded lessons

8 weeks

of teacher support

1 year access

to the content

Homework

1-2 hours per week. Homework may include building or modifying a robot build, creating code in VEXCode IQ, downloading the code to the robot, and posting the results (code, video and/or description of how the robot performed).

Assessment

Learner assessment is given as informal feedback with suggestions. More formal assessment or grades are available to parents upon request.

Grading

Grades by request.

Class Experience

Beginner Level

This course is for students who have their own (or their school’s) VEX IQ robot at home and want to learn how to program it using VEXcode IQ block-based coding.  You must have a physical VEX robot to participate in this course (VEX Cortex/EDR or VEX V5 are also permissible). 

Every lesson in this self-paced course we will have specific goals to plan and write programs, download them to the robot and test the code.  Students need an area where they can test their robot running the programs.  If they have a way to show their results by filming and posting a video with their computer, phone or tablet, that would be great, but it is not required. 

Each lesson, the teacher will post a video lesson with resources (i.e., build instructions, supplemental information for the concept, etc.) Students will then create the program, download their program to their robot and share their results (either video or a written post about the results and by attaching their finished code).  

Students with learning disabilities, dyslexia, ASD, ADHD or other learning challenges are welcome to participate.  Extensive reading is NOT required in this course as most of the coding is block-based with some text input (Lesson 8 does require some reading).

These lessons may be differentiated for learner interest and ability.

Learning Goals

Students will learn basic block-based coding and will learn how to troubleshoot and solve problems with their code.  They will also learn about the physical parts of the VEX IQ robots, including sensors, and how to transfer the code from the computer to the robot.

Syllabus

8 Lessons

over 8 Weeks

Lesson 1:

Introduction

 We will talk about the different models you can build with the VEX IQ set, download and set up the software, do a parts check, learn how to update the firmware on the robot and its parts, and talk about good practices.

Lesson 2:

First Program

 We will write our first programs and learn how to save, download, and test them on the physical robots. We will concentrate on forward and backward motion and speeds. We will program to compensate for physical differences in the robot (i.e., robot doesn’t drive completely straight, etc.)

Lesson 3:

Obstacle Course

 We will program our robots to navigate an obstacle course autonomously.

Lesson 4:

Bumper Switch

 We will be introduced to sensors and how to program the robot to respond using the bumper switch.

Other Details

Learning Needs

I welcome diverse learners to my classroom and am happy to provide extra help and accommodations.

Parental Guidance

Students will need to download the VEXCode software for IQ from this site: https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexcode/install/iq. No account creation is necessary. Educational content from VexRobotics.com (ie., videos or PDFS) maybe be included.

Pre-Requisites

Students should have basic computer skills. Students will need a physical VEX IQ robot, either 1st or 2nd generation, for this course.

Supply List

Students should have a VEX IQ robot.  Either 1st generation or 2nd generation is acceptable (alternatively I will accept VEX EDR/Cortex or VEX V5).  VEXCode software is required.  This software runs on a variety of devices.  Please check system requirements.  Students will need the USB cable that comes with the kit to download programs from computer to robot.  If you only have a tablet and wireless connectivity, I will attempt to support that, but you must have the Bluetooth radio option in the robot.  Download free software from:  https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexcode/install/iq

Also helpful:  a tape measure or ruler, timer, black electrical tape to use for the line follower program, small blocks or toys to use as obstacles and cargo for the robot.

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Vex Robotics

Sources

Educational content from vexrobotics.com.

Meet the teacher

Sally Morris - Tech/SPED

Joined April, 2019

4.8

230reviews

Star Educator

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

2 Teaching Certificates

Indiana Teaching Certificate

Texas Teaching Certificate in Special Education

2 Degrees

Master's Degree in Education from Wilkes University

Bachelor's Degree from Ball State University

I am a Certified Robotics Instructor (VEX Robotics). I have taught VEX robotics programming since 2013 to students in public and private school settings and online since 2018.  

I have 5 public school teaching certifications/licenses:  
Technology Education. Grades 6-12.  (Texas)
Technology Applications. Grades EC-12.  (Texas)
Special Education. Grades EC-12.  (Texas)
Computer Education. REPA 3, Grades 5-12. 
(Indiana)
Technology Education. REPA 3, Grades 5-12. 
(Indiana)