While you are programming it is possible to have a help screen displayed. The help screen will show you the icon the cursor is on and how it should be wired. It will also display a written description of the function of the icon. To display the help window, either go to help on the command bar at the top of the screen and select "Show Help" or press control H.
Make sure to test the RCX computer communication before the students arrive. This will save time in case something needs to adjusted. Another way to save time is to have screen in which they will be writing their program on the screen when students start programming. Make sure you have extra batteries on hand so that you will not have to look around for them in the middle of the lesson. It is possible to hide the administrator button by pressing F5. This will ensure that students do not change settings.
- Do not start programming right away. Make sure that students understand the basic concepts of building.
- Demonstrate programming to the students. It is especially helpful if you are able to hook up your computer a TV screen.
- Start students in Pilot.
A good activity when starting Inventor is to have students build a car. You can have a program telling the car to drive forward for two seconds on the screen before students start to program. Students can start programming by changing the time the car will drive and then modifying the program after they have successfully changed the time.
- Define what you want the program to do.
- Plan the program
- Develop the logic of the program
- Make a flowchart - Write the program on the computer
Firmware is basically software for the RCX. Before using a new RCX or one that has had the batteries taken out of it, you need to download the firmware. Firmware can be downloaded by going to Administrator and selecting "Download Firmware". If you try to send a program to the RCX and the firmware has not been downloaded, you will be asked if you want to download firmware. If you say yes, the firmware will be downloaded and you will not need to do it through the administrator.
Sometimes RCXs pick up programs being downloaded onto other RCXs by accident. There are a few ways to deal with this problem. Stress turning off the RCX whenever it isn’t downloading or running a program. This will prevent the unintentional downloading of other people’s programs as well as conserve batteries. Placing duck tape over the infrared window when not downloading a program is another solution. To prevent spreading the program when downloading, put the tower and RCX in a shoe box so the tower does not transmit to an RCX other than the desired one.
