[Joe Ross]

Another thing to remember is that almost all embedded processors still use serial for downloading the programs. So, even if IFI integrates a usb converter into the RC, your students will still have to face that harch reality once they work with other embedded processors.

None of the processors that I have worked with (one with serial and ethernet, and another with serial, usb, and ethernet) have been able to download programs via anything other then serial. It is becoming a little more common, now, but still lags far behind the speed with which computer manufacturers are getting rid of the serial port.