Developing support for the Pi to teach computer control

Wilkinson, Mike (2014) Developing support for the Pi to teach computer control. Switched On: Computing at School Newsletter (Autumn). p. 16. Full text not available from this repository.

(Contact the author)
Official URL: http://www.computingatschool.org.uk/data/uploads/n...

Abstract

A visit to a Manchester CAS event made Mike Wilkinson, faculty technical manager at the University of Cumbria, think about how the Raspberry Pi can be effectively demonstrated in schools with real world applications. After seeing an inspiring demonstration of a Lego crocodile using Scratch at a Manchester CAS event my technical team began to look at the practical aspects of using the Pi to control everyday items such as lights, motors and sensors. We purchased a Piface which connects to the Pi allowing easy addition of external devices. Scratch was an obvious choice of programming tool. Using the two together on a Pi we quickly identified two main problems. First, the Piface/Scratch combination slowed things down so much it became unusable. We contacted the team behind the Piface, Dr Andrew Robinson and colleagues at the University of Manchester (www.piface.org.uk/about/). After some much appreciated work on the interface they solved the speed problem.

Item Type: Article
Journal / Publication Title: Switched On: Computing at School Newsletter
Publisher: Computing At School, part of BCS
Departments: Academic Departments > Institute of Education (IOE)
Depositing User: Insight Administrator
Date Deposited: 18 Nov 2015 16:17
Last Modified: 12 Jan 2024 12:02
URI: https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/1734
Edit Item