We would like to use the Lego NXT to teach at KS3 ICT control. The robots will allow us to follow the government’s national strategy whilst offering a fun and dynamic lesson.
Our after-school classes are tackling both the RCX and NXT at the same time. Our experienced "engineers and programmers" are transitioning with ease. Young kids are so resilient and the challenges are always exciting. They have little or no frustrations and in fact, the beginners learned the NXT with greater ease than the RCX. The building/engineering does not appear as flexible.... but it is too early to tell. I wonder if the lack of need to learn and use gears will make it "too easy" for them...... then again, the best part of robotics in my opinion is the problems solving and collaboration skills essential to success. Asking questions, observing problems, designing options..... WOW! Great! AND, the amount of support from LEGO is superb.
I really like the NXT. It is easier to operate than the RCX. My students like the programs but I a few groups that are having a few difficulties. I think it is mostly from students that just want to goof off though.
The NTX programming is superior to RCX. I also like the fact that the introductory lessons don't involve a lot of construction. (This is a similar method to what I developed for use with the RCX brick.) My time with students is limited. I want the learning curve of operating the system "code" to be quick. That way students can learn the logic... which is a main focus for us.
To this point I find that this system has cut off 2 class periods of just learning "code" allowing more time for critical process.
HOW exactly do the sensors work?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!??!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!!?!!?!?!?!!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!PLEASE TELL ME