By the year 2020, 1.5 million programming jobs are projected to exist. However, the United States only has slated 400,000 Computer Science graduates at current graduation rates. Professor Chuck Konkol of the CIS Division of Rock Valley College has been looking for ways to introduce coding and has found it in a one cubic inch robot named Ozobot. Ozobot is a fully function robot with processor, memory, wheels and sensors. The sensors follow colored lines and "color codes" that control the robot. In addition, the Ozobot can be controlled by custom applications created at Ozoblockly.com.

The Rock Valley College Computers and Information Systems (CIS) department will host a "Learn Coding with Robots" workshop on Saturday, March 25th, 2017, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Woodward Technology Center (WTC) on RVC’s main campus (3301 North Mulford Rd.).

The first “Learn Coding with Robots” workshop was held on December 10, 2016 and was a success. In addition, another successful workshop was held on January 28, 2017.

​Watch WIFR Video

"Learn Coding with Robots" teaches attendees how to use colored lines and simple drag and drop coding to control a cubic inch sized robot named Ozobot.
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"Learn Coding with Robots" empowers children and adults to create adventures, play games, solve problems, and learn to code anywhere they go.

"This event is for all ages,” says RVC Professor Chuck Konkol, workshop leader and CIS faculty. “I even encourage families to attend. If you or someone you know is interested in coding or robotics then register for this fun, engaging workshop. Oh, and you get to take home a robot to continue the fun!”

All attendees will take home award winning robot, named Ozobot.

Purchase Tickets

• Tickets to participate in the workshop are $75
• Parents and grandparents can purchase tickets for their child or grandchild and sit with them during workshop at no extra cost.

Please email Professor Konkol with any questions at c.konkol@rockvalleycollege.edu. 

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- Rock Valley College is hoping to bring more people to their coding programs, including women.
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The college knows robotics and learning how to code are great to help children and adults prepare for the future. RVC is introducing Ozobot to those taking the "Learn Coding with Robots" class. They say the workshop encourages people to learn that coding's not only the future, but it can also make every day life simpler.
"A lot of automated things are eventually going to replace our type of work, and we need people to fix those things if they ever go wrong," says RVC Student Volunteer Andrew Gurican. "So it's not about actively... it's not gonna be about actively doing things as much as it is fixing what the next generation of technology is gonna be like."

News Source: http://www.wifr.com/content/news/Rock-Valley-College-teaches-about-coding-through-robots-412062603.html

Hour of Code @ RVC Downtown ~ Begins Wednesday February 1st
The "Hour of Code" will be offered at our downtown location for the Spring 2017 semester! The FREE workshops will take place the 1st Wednesday of the month starting Wednesday, February 1st through Wednesday, May 3rd.

The downtown location is located in the RRSTAR building at 99 East State Street.

Seating is limited! RSVP for all 4 events! 

THE NEXT "Learn Coding with Robots" is Saturday March 25th!
BUY TICKETS NOW!
​Prior "LEARN CODING WITH ROBOTS" workshops sold out quickly so buy your tickets early, while they last!

18 local Rockfordians, ranging from ages 7 to 70, came out to Rock Valley College main campus to tear open an Ozobot robot and begin the journey of coding and robotics. Once the unboxing of the Ozobots was finished attendees learned about how the Ozobot robot is designed and how it functions on colored lines and move commands (applications) given through light pulses on website http://ozoblockly.com Attendees created a simple program that moved the Ozobot and changed the LED color on the top of the Ozobot. 

The event ended with 3 race type games where attendees could time each other make it to the finish line with their Ozobot! 

Future Events
Check out the multiple events the CIS Division is hosting this semester! See link

Questions? 
If you have questions, comments, or ideas please email Professor Konkol at c.konkol@rockvalleycollege.edu

The "Hour of Code" will be offered at our downtown location for the Spring 2017 semester! The FREE workshops will take place the 1st Wednesday of the month starting Wednesday, February 1st through Wednesday, May 3rd.

The downtown location is located in the RRSTAR building at 99 East State Street.

RSVP for all 4 events! Seating is limited!

Each attendee receives a robot along with lesson binder. Click here to buy tickets for workshop.

View below slideshow of "Learn Coding with Robots" event held on December 10, 2016