Migration Guide

Migration

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 investing money purchasing RCX hardware and the time neededto learn to build and program, 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: faster download times, sturdier robots, and easier programming. All these factors contribute to allowing more time for teaching and learning and needing less time for technical troubleshooting. LEGO Education has worked in three major areas to help schools transition easily and smoothly:

RCX until 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 NXT system and choose your own plan for migration.
LEGOengineering.com - This new web site, developed in partnership with the Tufts Center for Engineering Educational Outreach (CEEO), 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 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.

Migration Resources

Path 1: Go for It	Path 2:Try It	Path 3: Wait & See
Outfit your classroom with all new NXT hardware and software	Buy a few NXT kits to start integrating into your classroom	Keep using the RCX and see how the NXT community & curricula develop
Who should take Path 1?	Who should take Path 2?	Who should take Path 3?
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 limitations, get started with the NXT!	Curious ROBOLAB Users - Upgrade to ROBOLAB 2.9 and you can use the RCX & NXT in your classroom to learn how each system works. Decide what would be best for your classroom using hands-on experience!	*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.
Where to go on LEGOengineering.com	Where to go on LEGOengineering.com	Where to go on LEGOengineering.com
Teaching Resources - The Curriculum and Learning Sequences sections feature 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.	News - In the coming months, we will feature stories on how educators are integrating the NXT a little at a time into their classrooms. *Teaching Resources* - The Curriculum section includes some hybrid activities that use the NXT and RCX for the same activity.	Teaching Resources - There are tons of great activities for the RCX that have been classroom tested, with more on the 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.