NI FRC Badges - Frequently Asked Questions

[robo_Jeff]

FAQ: NI FRC Badges

Ready to earn an NI FRC Badge? Click here and try for all 3!

1. What’s an NI FRC badge?

A badge is an official digital credential awarded as an indicator of your accomplishment or knowledge. An NI FRC badge verifies that you have demonstrated solid technical expertise about LabVIEW and roboRIO. For FRC, there are 2 difficulties of LabVIEW badges and 1 badge for roboRIO expertise.

2. Why should I earn a badge?

Similar to karate belts or professional certifications, a badge demonstrates to your peers and others in the community that you are a total boss at a certain set of skills. Add it to your email signature, your Chief Delphi or NI forum signature, your business card, wherever you want to show it off! You can share it on social media too.

3. But literally, what IS it? What do I get?

The badge has 2 components:
1) a PNG image of the badge, and
2) a digital image with other metadata about the badge that is stored in your "My Badges" section of the Badgr website (badgr.io).

4. Who should earn these badges?

The NI FRC Badges are for FIRST Robotics Competition students, mentors, and coaches. The LabVIEW badges are geared toward the team programmers, and the roboRIO Robot Control badge is geared toward the team's electrical engineers, as it covers all the aspects of roboRIO electrical connections and communication. That said, anyone can take the badge assessments.

5. Does it cost money?

Nope! Just like your team's annual LabVIEW license and first roboRIO, it's free! Take it as many times as you'd like!

6. What do I need to know?

NI FRC badging assessments are open-book. In the "real world", you have access to Google, LabVIEW, etc. So while you're taking the assessment, you have access to those resources too. The assessments test your understanding, not memorization. Here's what each badge covers:

• NI LabVIEW for FRC Programming Fundamentals
  You need to understand the foundational functions, features, architecture, and environment of LabVIEW: block diagram, front panel, palettes, loops and structures, data flow, and basic debugging.

• NI LabVIEW for FRC RIO Programming
  You'll need knowledge of the LabVIEW Real-Time architecture for RIO (Reconfigurable Input/Output) hardware, including motor and sensor control, autonomous and teleop modes, dashboard customization, and safety configuration. You should be able to create, modify, deploy, and troubleshoot a Robot Project in LabVIEW for FRC.

• NI roboRIO Robot Control
  You need to be able to power, communicate with, connect sensors and actuators to, image, and troubleshoot the roboRIO. You'll need knowledge of all of the I/O, important specs (or where to find them when needed), and the FRC Driver Station data insights.

7. How do I pass?

To pass, you need to get at least 85% of the questions correct. But don't worry, you can take it more than once. Good luck!

8. What happens if I fail?

Actually, we totally expect you to fail at least the first time you take it, and possibly more than once. Just take note of the topics you weren't certain about, and visit the FRC Resource Hub at ni.com/frc to brush up on those topics with videos, tutorials, and interactive learning modules. Then try again. You'll get it!

9. How long does the assessment take?

Probably about 30 minutes. It's 10-15 multiple choice questions, some of which might require research.

10. How many times can I take it?

You can take it as many times as you'd like. We don't recommend taking it multiple times in a row, though. If you fail, study some more on the FRC Resource Hub at ni.com/frc and then try again.

11. Can I use Google? Can I open LabVIEW? Can I look at the roboRIO?

The assessments are open book. You can use anything, including google, LabVIEW, or your roboRIO to pass these assessments. It’s more important that you understand and know how to find information than that you have it memorized.

12. When do I receive my badge?

When you complete the assessment, it will immediately let you know if you passed or failed. If you passed, you'll receive a confirmation email with your digital credential. Often, this email will come the same day, but it can take up to a week. If you haven't received it within a week of passing the assessment, email FIRST@ni.com and let us know.

13. How do I claim my badge?

Create your Badgr profile at Badgr.io using the same email address you provided when you take the assessment.

14. What do I with my badge after I claim it?

Whatever you like! Add it to your email signature, your Chief Delphi or ni.com forum signature, your business card, wherever you want to show it off! You can share it on social media too, like Facebook or LinkedIn. You could even print it out, fold it up, and wear it as a hat if you want. You earned it!

15. How do I share my badges?

It's easy to share your NI FRC badges. The best way is to Create a Badge Collection in Badgr; this way displays your name when shared. You can also Share Individual Badges to Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

16. What other FRC badges are available?

FRC 33 (Killer Bees), an NI-sponsored team, has been working hard to develop a wide range of great FIRST badges. There are more than a dozen available badges on FIRSTbadges.com.

17. Big picture: What is the meaning of all this, everything, life?

42, obviously.

[etraub]

the assessments page is not working:  who do we contact to get this fixed?  Our team is trying to take these assessments this week and next.

This looked so awesome but then it was "Unable to allow access temporarily.  Please contact the instructor."