Changes between Version 8 and Version 9 of ControlSystemsMentoring

Timestamp:

May 4, 2016, 10:29:51 AM (9 years ago)

Author:

benjialbert

Comment:

--

ControlSystemsMentoring

@@ -34 +34 @@
 The !RoboRio/WPILib environment is complex and requires a considerable investment of time to learn.  New mentors should spend some time with the [https://wpilib.screenstepslive.com/s/4485/m/23353 FRCSim simulator] and with the [https://wpilib.screenstepslive.com/s/4485 ScreenStepsLive tutorials] to get comfortable with and understand the environment.  Although the Electrical team installs and connects other system components such as the [http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-2856.htm Power Distribution Panel] and [http://www.vexrobotics.com/217-8080.html Talon SRX] motor controllers, the Control Systems mentors should have a good understanding of these components, their capabilities, and their interfaces.
 
-'''Training'''- Control Systems students have widely varying levels of software development experience ranging from never having written a line of code to remarkably sophisticated (like a strong undergraduate CS student).  During the pre-season, mentors should work with the student leads to divide the team into groups based on their experience levels and map out the pre-season training activities that will best help each group.  For example, new students need to learn Java, learn about sensing/sensors, and learn about the basic robot development environment (RoboRio, WPILib).  Students focusing on sensors should learn to read datasheets, the basics of digital interfacing.  More advanced students should learn PID control and build skills with machine vision, autonomous navigation, targeting, etc.  Training should be '''overwhelmingly''' hands-on with as little power-point/chalkboard as possible; the students have spent all day in classrooms and respond much better to activities (and they are more fun).  Activities:
+'''Training'''- Control Systems students have widely varying levels of software development experience ranging from never having written a line of code to remarkably sophisticated (like a strong undergraduate CS student).  During the pre-season, mentors should work with the student leads to divide the team into groups based on their experience levels and map out the pre-season training activities that will best help each group.  For example, new students need to learn Java, learn about sensing/sensors, and learn about the basic robot development environment (!RoboRio, WPILib).  Students focusing on sensors should learn to read datasheets, the basics of digital interfacing.  More advanced students should learn PID control and build skills with machine vision, autonomous navigation, targeting, etc.  Training should be '''overwhelmingly''' hands-on with as little power-point/chalkboard as possible; the students have spent all day in classrooms and respond much better to activities (and they are more fun).  Activities:
      * Arduino/mini-bots - there is a good deal of [wiki:ArduinoDevelopment existing training material] that uses inexpensive Arduino single-board computers to teach basic programming (in C) and basic electronics/sensor interfacing.  The team owns many Arduinos and training kits as well as several mini-robots that use Arduino controllers and can be programmed to explore autonomous robotics.  The mini-bots are small and safe and the students can use them without supervision.  These exercises were well received by students, but because the competition environment is very different (Java, !RoboRio, WPILib), have limited applicability to competition robot skills.  They are good for learning about sensors and having fun, but there are better training platforms.
      * Competition-bot trainers - there are (or should be) several cut-down robot platforms from prior competitions that are great for training.  These robots include a !RoboRio (the standard linux single board computer required as the robot controller for competition) and the same electronic subsystems and mechanical drive bases used for competition.  Competition bot trainers allow students to train in the same environment used for competition which is ideal, but the competition bots are also large, powerful, and can be dangerous; they should only be used by experienced students and generally require mentor supervision.
@@ -41 +41 @@
 
 Topics students should learn include:
-   * Java (including reviewing [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4hVFxjwylT5anukYMz74jD93yKWsL31r video tutorials]
+   * Java (including [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o8xNfWM8VM&list=PL1CVNaoFuZz3JeCqVX_697L5kCAP4eN3-&index=2 video tutorials] for [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLrybdn3cSM Eclipse] (preferred) or [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4hVFxjwylT5anukYMz74jD93yKWsL31r NetBeans] or )
    * Basic sensors
    * Robot Software Development Environment