Robolink Learn is out in beta! Our new-and-improved STEM lesson portal has everything teachers and students need to succeed with CoDrone EDU.

Part of what sets CoDrone EDU apart as the drone designed for classrooms is that it has always come with something other tools don’t: high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum – developed by real educators and available through our platform formerly known as Basecamp. And our Product team is just as dedicated to keeping our curriculum engaging and aligned with district priorities as they are to fine-tuning our award-winning drones.

So we’ve leveled up Basecamp and are re-launching it as Robolink Learn. This new lesson portal can be accessed for free at learn.robolink.com and reflects the many ways students learn, create, and collaborate today. Below, we’ll explore what’s new — and how Robolink Learn supports students, teachers, and school and district leaders alike.

NOTE: Robolink Learn is currently in beta. We’re still making improvements based on early feedback, moving over some lessons, and updating responsive designs for mobile. For now, accessing the site from your desktop or laptop computer will provide the best experience. 

What's New for Teachers and Schools

For teachers, principals, and even district admin, Robolink Learn puts all your resources in one place and helps make it easier to understand progress toward STEM and CS goals. 

1. Curriculum Guide for Scope, Sequence, & Pacing
The new lesson portal includes a comprehensive Curriculum Guide, complete with scope and sequence and a pacing guide to help you plan by seeing the breakdown of all courses, units, and lessons.

2. Standards Map
We've added another new resource for the launch of Robolink Learn: lessons mapped to standards. With this resource, you can see specific ISTE and CSTA standards covered by lesson, and use it to adapt to your state standards as well. 

3. Full Support for Teachers
Robolink Learn supports Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by providing multiple means of learning, engagement, and checking for understanding. Flexible teaching resources include slides for direct instruction, interactive lessons that students can move through at their own pace, and more student-facing videos. Teachers also have access to optional PD. 

All in all, Robolink Learn now includes even more resources to ensure success for your students and teachers alike. 

What's New for Students

For students, the lesson portal is now more interactive, engaging, and seamless – all while remaining safe and COPPA/FERPA compliant.

1. Code Along
Gone are the days of switching tabs and screens, between lesson content and Blockly or Python coding editors. Now, students can code and create programs right inside lessons. 

2. Interactive Lessons
Robolink Learn lessons are more interactive and engaging than back in Basecamp days, with progress tracking, checks for understanding, and connections to real-world scenarios.

3. Drone Lab
Now, students can access all things drone-related in one place–at codrone.robolink.com. Drone Lab is their home base for (1) using Blockly or Python to program a drone; (2) accessing drone sensor data as well as fun insights about number of takeoffs, landings, and accidents; and (3) drone firmware updates. Also COMING SOON: challenges and activities to dig deeper in STEM and CS learning.

Other Updates in Blockly

We've also released a new version of Blockly to go along with the launch of Robolink Learn. As a reminder, you can now access the Blockly editor (and everything else you'd connect to your drone for) from Drone Lab at codrone.robolink.com.

• Junior and Senior blocks merged: In an effort to make blocks and programs more readable and accessible, the Junior and Senior categories will no longer exist and Blockly will have only one category. Blockly code using the Junior and Senior blocks will no longer be supported after the release, so you'll need to adjust old programs accordingly.
• Fresh, more accessible look and feel: Some block colors have also been updated to improve contrast and make our Blockly editor accessible to more learners. 

Keep an eye on our Blockly Changelog for future updates and improvements.

What's Staying the Same

We've covered everything that's new, but here's what has set our curriculum apart from the early days of CoDrone EDU:

• High-Quality STEM and CS activities – Other drones have to be paired with third party content to be brought into classrooms. Not CoDrone EDU. Our content is rigorous, standards-aligned, and connected to real careers.

• Lessons for Getting Started, Blockly, and Python – There are more interactive ways to learn now, but our core courses still walk students through getting started with CoDrone EDU, programming with Blockly, and programming with Python.
  

• Built by educators, for educators – Robolink lessons and courses are designed in-house by educators and CSTA Fellows with real classroom experience. (Plus, there's optional PD available for training teachers. No drone experience required!)

What's Next

This is just the first phase of Robolink Learn. Just as we release regular updates to CoDrone EDU's firmware to keep the community's experience smooth, we'll keep adding to Robolink Learn, Drone Lab, and more. 

As of today's launch, some Python lessons are still moving into the new portal. For now, you can still access those lessons, and the broader Basecamp experience you're used to, at archive.learn.robolink.com. 

Whether you're teaching your first coding class or refining a full STEM program – from takeoff to landing – Robolink Learn makes every lesson smooth. 

Got drones? Check out Robolink Learn today >

Get help. Check out our Help Center >

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