2024 PD+ Highlights Thread: Stay Informed on New Developments!

General Discussions
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Hello to all our VEX PD+ PLC Members!

This discussion thread for 2024 focuses on keeping you informed about the freshest developments created within the VEX PD+ platform.

Every two weeks, I’ll refresh this thread with the latest contributions our team has made to VEX PD+.

Should you have any ideas for new content, we’d love to hear from you!

To check out developments from 2023, you can find the PLC thread here.

If you are new here, welcome! Here are some tips to get you started:

  1. Have you booked a 1-on-1 Session? Available to All-Access PD+ members. The ability to have your own questions answered, to brainstorm for your own setting, and to learn how to implement VEX to best meet your unique needs.

  2. Insights are short readings that can be used to gain insight and inspiration. Released every 2 weeks available to our PD+ All-Access Members.

  3. VEX Library is translated and available in 25 languages. This is your Library containing 100’s of articles of information about all things VEX.

  4. Feedback! We love feedback. This is your opportunity to share specific details about your experience, ask any questions, or suggest topics of interest. Remember, your feedback shapes the future of VEX PD+.

  5. VEX Robotics Educators Conference Your PD+ All-Access subscription includes registration to the annual VEX Robotics Educators Conference. To see any of the Keynotes or Presentations from the Educators Conference, check out your PD+ Video Library and search by year. i.e. 2024 in Search bar on right side.

December 16, 2024 Our final update for 2024 – we’re excited for what 2025 has in store! Have suggestions to enhance your PD+ experience? Share your ideas using the Feedback button on your PD+ dashboard. We’d love to hear from you!

Hour of Code VEXcode VR Activities - We have added in UDL (Universal Design for Learning) overview and highlights throughout the Teacher Facilitation Guides for how to make the implementation of your lessons and activities more accessible for your learners.

New Insights Article: Stories from a Local Robotics Competition: Communicating and Collaborating Across Barriers :heart:

December 2, 2024
Hour Of Code HOC.VEX.com - check out the new activities focused on using VEXcode Switch.

New Insights Article to support HOC: Hour of Code 2024: Switch it Up!

New VEX Library Article: VEX GO Code Base 2.0 Features and Improvements

Registration is now open for the 2025 VEX Robotics Educators Conference.
2 ways to register:

  • PD+ All-Access: As a PD+ All-Access member, you can register directly from your PD+ Dashboard. Simply select “Conference” from the left-hand menu or click on the Conference Banner in the center.
  • Standalone Conference Pass:
    • Early Bird Price: $399 (Dec. 1 – Feb. 28, 2025)
    • Standard Price: $499 (March 1 – May 1, 2025) Non-members can purchase a Standalone Conference Pass and activate it through their PD+ account.

November 18, 2024

New VEX Library Article: Troubleshooting the CTE 6-Axis Arm

TEACH AI Page (teachai.vex.com) - Artificial Intelligence Educators Start Here
Be sure to check back often as we continue to develop our AI materials here.

New Insights Article - Supporting Students’ Productive Struggle in Open-Ended Challenges

VR Skills - options now available for both virtual skills in VEXcode VR and virtual driving skills. The ability for teams to practice their driving skills match virtually through a chrome browser by connecting their controller!
Library articles to support:
Practicing Using VIQRC Virtual Driving Skills
Practicing Using V5RC Virtual Driving Skills

You can now copy code snippets in the CS Level 1 Python Course to use in VEXcode VR? Previously, there were images of Python code snippets that students could look at to type into their VEXcode VR projects. The new copyable code snippets streamlines that process, so that students can more easily access the commands from the course - keeping their attention focused on the concepts in the course.

Looking to access VEXcode or need a hand? Check out the VEXcode page for all the resources you need!

November 4, 2024
New VEX Library article and teach page for AI:
Artificial Intelligence Educators Start Here Be sure to check back often as we continue to develop our AI materials here.

Support materials for Using the GPS Sensor:

  1. VEX PD+ Video: Using the GPS Sensor
  2. Library Articles: Configuring the GPS Sensor in VEXcode V5 and Best Practices with the GPS Sensor

New Insights Article: Bringing Computer Science to Life Through Robotics with VEX CTE. VEX CTE STEM Lab Units integrate these components into hands-on activities that challenge students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios. Below are examples of how these concepts come to life in the Units. For more details on CSTA alignment, visit the CTE standards page.

Present at the VEX Robotics Educators Conference! Apply :link: here

Code Base 2.0 Robot builds available at builds.vex.com. Based on your feedback, our engineers have worked hard to redesign the Code Base to improve its reliability when driving and turning. This three-wheeled design is quick to build and also allows for easier battery charging!

New Research Article: VEX CTE: Design an Educational Industrial Robotic Arm

October 21, 2024
VEX PD+ Video Library - AprilTags with AI Vision Sensor

VEX Library Article:
Using the GPS Vision Sensor with VEX V5 - this articles breaks down how the sensor works, how you can get started and understanding what data is coming from the sensor.

Insights Article: New VEXcode 4.0 Features Bring Accessibility and Independence to 123 and GO Classrooms
VEX Library Articles to support VEXcode 4.0:
New Features in VEXcode 4.0
New Features in VEXcode 123 4.0
New Features in VEXcode V5 4.0
New Features in VEXcode EXP 4.0
New Features in VEXcode VR 4.0
New Features in VEXcode IQ 4.0

VEX Robotics Educators Conference 2025 dates are now available! Check out the conference page to learn more.

All Insights Articles are translated into 7 languages! These are exclusive to our VEX PD+ All-Access Members. All-Access Members can share with their networks by using the deep linking function. Just copy and paste the web address in the browser and you can share out.

VEXcode Switch Blocks webpage to support, how and why we transition students from block to text.

October 7, 2024
VEX PD+ Video Library - three new videos to support the AI Vision Sensor to watch in this order:

  1. Introducing the AI Vision Sensor
  2. Detecting a Color with the AI Vision Sensor
  3. Adjusting a Color Signature

New Insights Article for VEX PD+ all-access members:
Engaging Students with Virtual Skills in VEXcode VR

All VEX Masterclasses, Video Library and Intro Courses and are now translated into 7 languages. Check it out by using the language switcher in the top right hand corner.

“My Progress” Dashboard now available to track your progress of within VEX PD+. Now you can know what you have completed, what else is available, Daily Streak, Community Posts and Certificates Earned. You can find ‘My Progress’ from your Navigation Menu in your PD+ dashboard.

New Case Study: Saint Phillip’s Episcopal Church and School This case study shares how @rich_schiccatano1 was able to grow professionally and stay current with the latest trends in STEM education within the VEX Community by networking and attending the VEX Robotics Educators Conference.

September 26, 2024
VEX EXP Clean Water Mission STEM Lab. In this Unit, students are faced with open-ended challenges using the AI Vision Sensor to solve problems. Your students will need to have access to the sensor in order to complete this Unit. In addition this unit follows the WCAG 2.1 standards meaning it is accessible for all students.

New Insights Article:
Enhancing Accessibility with VEXcode 4.0

Portuguese speaking? We now have all our Intro Courses translated into Portuguese. All languages can be accessed by the language switcher located at the top right hand side.

September 9, 2024
New VEX Library Articles to support Virtual Skills for VIQRC & V5RC:

August 26, 2024

New Library Articles:

VEXcode IQ 4.0 release

VEXcode EXP 4.0 release

VEXcode V5 4.0 release

August 12, 2024

  • New Insights Article: Starting the Year Off with 1-on-1 Sessions

  • New lesson added to CS Level 1 - VEXcode VR Blocks. A lesson to show teachers all the ins and outs of Switch Mode. This lesson includes how to convert blocks and stacks and how to type python commands into the stacks. In addition there are detailed call out boxes to support the understanding of using the Switch Mode feature.

  • VEX CTE , VEX 123 and VEX Go Intro Courses are now available in 6 languages. To translate the language, just use the language switcher drop down menu on the right hand side.

  • CTE Workcell + Pneumatics + Distance 3d build and pdf build now available You can find builds for the full VEX Continuum at: builds.vex.com

  • Accessibility: VEX education and websites now comply with WCAG 2.1 AA standards to meet state and federal legislative requirements for school accessibility guidelines. We are passionate and committed to providing accessible resources for all users.

July 29, 2024

July 15, 2024

July 01, 2024

June 17, 2024

*VEX CTE Resources

  1. Get started at teachCTE.vex.com page

  2. VEX CTE Educator Certification

  3. VEX CTE STEM Labs

  4. VEX CTE Standards Alignment

  5. VEX CTE Library of Articles (available in 25 languages) → great article: Overview of the CTE Workcell Kit

  6. VEX CTE Builds

  7. Coding online at codeEXP.vex.com or VEXcode Install option

June 03, 2024

May 20, 2024

April 22, 2024

April 08, 2024

March 25, 2024

March 11, 2024

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