A User s Guide to the Robot Virtual Worlds App RVW APP ROBOTC Graphical Programming Virtual Programming Challenges to Foster Computational Thinking
Table of Contents 2 Table of Contents 3 What is the RVW App? 4 Logging in and Saving Progress 5 RVW App Interface 6 RVW App Settings 7 Programming Interface Part 8 Programming Interface Part 2 9 Programming Interface Part 3 2
What is the RVW App? Robot Virtual Worlds App Overview The Robot Virtual Worlds App allows you to start learning how to program using simulated robots (both VEX IQ and fantasy) with ROBOTC Graphical. Research has shown that learning to program in RVW is more efficient than learning to program using physical robots alone. Ruins of Atlantis Environment We thought Atlantis was a myth. We were wrong. With the emergence of new robotics technologies we are now able to explore areas of the world we ve never seen before. According to legend, Atlantis was a center of trade and commerce in Eurasia thousands of years ago. Your mission is to explore the Ruins of Atlantis, 6,000 meters below the surface of the ocean, collecting data and treasure as you do. VEX IQ Challenge Tables The VEX IQ Challenge Tables are designed to help teach the basics of ROBOTC Graphical Programming. Tables are specially designed to reinforce the use of specific sensors and commands. 3
Logging In and Saving Progress 2 This is the first screen that you see when you open the game. How you log in determines how your progress is saved. Teach your students how to save their progress. Log in Locally A local log in allows you to save your progress on a local machine. You will need to use the same computer every day to take advantage of this feature. 2 Log in as Guest Logging in as a guest allows you to preview and demonstrate the game easily, but once the game is closed no progress will be saved. This option should not be used with students, as all progress will be lost if the application is closed, even accidentally. 4
RVW App Interface 2 5 3 4 6 7 After logging in, you have access to several additional menus. LOG OUT Signs you out and returns you to the login screen allowing another student to log in. 2 CHALLENGE OVERVIEW Includes the title of the programming challenge, a top-down view of the challenge board, and information and tips on completing the objective. 2 SHOW CHALLENGE OVERVIEW Brings the Challenge Overview to the front. 4 SHOW ROBOT DETAILS Brings the Robot Details to the front, where you can see the dimensions and features of the programmable virtual robot. 5 PLAY Loads the challenge and robot, allowing the student to begin to program. 6 SHOW SETTINGS Allows you to adjust the game visuals and effects based on the speed of your computer and personal preferences. See page 6 for additional details. 7 SHOW BADGES Displays any badges the student has earned in this pack. Some examples: 5
RVW App Settings 3 2 The options available within the Settings menu allow you to customize your experience. VISUAL EFFECTS Enables and disables sound effects (enabled by default). If you experience computer performance issues while playing the game, it is recommended that you turn Visual Effects off. 2 SOUND EFFECTS Enables and disables sound effects (enabled by default). 3 GRAPHICS QUALITY LEVEL Allows you to choose the graphics quality setting (Medium by default). Players with older computers can experience better performance by choosing Low; players with more powerful computers can choose High for a more visually crisp experience. 6
Programming Simulation Interface - Part 2 3 8 4 5 6 7 The Programming Interface has several interface elements to learn. PROGRAM TABS Multiple programming areas are available for each challenge, allowing you to experiment with different commands and solutions. 2 COMMAND LIST The Command List gives you access to the ROBOTC Graphical Commands that can be used as part of your programming solution. Click on a command on the left and drag it into the numbered area on the right to add it to your programming solution. 3 PROGRAM AREA Drag commands into this area to add them as part of your programming solution. The robot runs commands in order, from top to bottom. 4 RUN PROGRAM Runs the program on the simulated robot. 5 STOP PROGRAM Stops a currently running program. 6 RESET SIMULATION Resets the location of the robot in the simulation to the starting point. 7 HIDE/SHOW Interface Hides or shows the programming interface, so the student can view the challenge board. 8 SHOW / HIDE HELP Shows or hides help and tips for the challenge. 7
Programming Simulation Interface - Part 2 6 2 3 4 5 The Programming Interface has several interface elements to learn. VIRTUAL ROBOT Every programming challenge allows you to control one virtual robot. 2 CHANGE CAMERA Pressing this allows you to cycle through several different views of the challenge. 2 SHOW SENSOR DATA / DEBUGGER Pressing this displays the data for the sensors on the virtual robot. 4 ADD DISTANCE MARKER Click this button and drag it to a spot on the challenge board to generate a distance marker. The distance marker will show you the distance and angle between it and the robot (or prior marker) to allow for math-based path planning. 5 REMOVE DISTANCE MARKER Removes the most recently placed distance marker from the challenge board. 6 DISTANCE MARKER Shows the distance and angle between it and the robot, or prior marker. 8
Programming Simulation Interface - Part 3 The Help area of the Programming Interface includes helpful information about the commands that can be used to solve the current programming challenge, as well as helpful hints. Pay close attention to this information as you are working on the programming challenges. 9