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While everyone is excited about the new NXT hardware and software, if you have a classroom (or school) full of RCXs
you may not be so excited. After having invested money acquiring RCX hardware and time learning to build and
programs, the idea of reinvesting in a new technology may be daunting. However, the new NXT hardware and software
have much to offer the classroom environment ? from faster download times to sturdier robots to easier programming.
All factors that mean more time for teaching and learning and less time for technical troubleshooting. LEGO
Education has worked in three major areas to help schools transition easily and smoothly:
- RCX till 2009 - Users will be able to buys
RCX kits as well as replacement parts through 2009. You can keep using
your RCXs for several more years as you figure out the best plan for
migration.
- ROBOLAB 2.9 ? The latest version of ROBOLAB offers
upgraded RCX features as well as the ability to program the NXT at
all levels (Pilot, Inventor, Investigator). You can keep working in
a software environment that you are familiar with while you try out
the new system and choose your own plan for migration.
- LEGOengineering.com ? This new web site, developed
in partnership with Tufts Center for Engineering Educational
Outreach, will provide educators with resources to aid in migration including news,
activities, and a knowledgebase.
Until the NXT hardware and software make their
way into classrooms, it's impossible to know all the possible migration
plans. Innovative educators around the world will come up with unqiue
and excellent ideas on how to migrate from the RCX to the NXT platform.
Check out 3 possible paths for migration below to start.
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Path 1: Go for It
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Path 2:Try It
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Path 3: Wait & See
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Outfit your classroom with all new NXT hardware and software
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Buy a few NXT kits to start integrating into your classroom
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Keep using the RCX and see how the NXT community & curricula develop
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Who should take Path 1?
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Who should take Path 2?
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Who should take Path 3?
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New Users - If you are starting out
with LEGO Robotics - jump right in with the NXT hardware and
software
High End Users - If you and your
students have exhausted the RCX and are frustrated by its limitation
-- get started with the NXT!
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Curious ROBOLAB Users - Upgrade to ROBOLAB 2.9 and you can use the RCX & NXT in
your classroom to learn how it works.
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Existing ROBOLAB Users - If you just
started using ROBOLAB and the RCX in your classroom
Educators of young children - If
you have been using the RCX with children under the age of 10,
you may want to continue using the RCX. The new Technic Building
system can be harder for small fingers.
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Where to go on LEGOengineering.com
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Where to go on LEGOengineering.com
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Where to go on LEGOengineering.com
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Learning Lab - The Learning Lab
features new activities that use the NXT hardware and software
Resources & Downloads - The
Library features lots of programs for the NXT Software to
get you started.
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News - In the coming months, we will feature
stories on how educators are integrating the NXT a little at
a time into their classrooms.
Learning Lab - We
are working on some hybrid activities that use the NXT and RCX
the same classroom.
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Learning Lab - There
are tons of great activities for the RCX that have been classroom
tested and more on their way.
News - Stay tuned
as new articles come online and read up on how others are
using the NXT to see if it will work in your setting.
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