[GeeTwo]

I have sent links to this thread to JRWise and Gixxy.

First of all, let me caveat that I have never done what I'm suggesting here, but it seems to me that it should work well. Alas, I happen to live in the woods of Slidell and not the shoulds of theory.

Java is one of those languages that has so much built into it (or more literally has functionality available as pre-written classes) that you may want to approach it as a higher-level library driven languages, and bring in the details as needed. If you just have students plow through Java for Dummies or another bottom-up book or course, they'll get the idea that they need to code everything themselves, or that they'd rather do so for the few percent of CPU efficiencies it will buy. I suggest starting with one of the demo robots available from WPI or screenstepslive, and getting it working first. Teach everyone what's going on where, and why it's important. Make a few changes (implement code for more precise maneuvering, or change the robot driving from front-to-back without any physical modification).

Then, go back and do a generic bottom-up course in java. For each chapter, work one or two of the samples in the text, but make the take-away project a modification to the current code base that uses the content of the chapter. Roughly alternate chapters in the bottom-up book/course with obviously practical things that solve current team problems. Implement video streaming back to the driver station. Include sensor inputs and feedback. Figure out how to do limit switches and encoders. Learn to drive pneumatic systems, servos, and LEDs.