Course Overview

As part of this development track you will work on different electronics tutorials, putting together different circuits using the Raspberry Pi and writing code in MicroPython. We will be using Edublocks to put the code together. EduBlocks is a visual block based programming tool that is designed to help introduce text based programming languages, like Python, to folks who are comfortable with block based programming languages and considering moving to a text based programming language. Through these tutorials your child will explore fundamental coding techniques and strengthen their reasoning, problem solving and analytical skills.

As you progress through these tutorials with your child, they will learn how to interact with Python and Edublocks, they will learn how to work with different electronics components, they will learn to put together different types of electronic circuits and more importantly they will learn how to create smart electronics circuits using the MicroPython programming language (through Edublocks) on the Raspberry Pi. This development track  is aimed to serve as a bridge for those working with block based programming languages and keen to move to lower level text based programming languages.

About Edublocks

EduBlocks is a visual block based programming tool that is designed to help introduce text based programming languages, like Python, to children at an earlier age. With Edublocks, kids can start familiarizing themselves with text based programming language patterns, structure, requirements using a block based approach. Edublocks support development on the following platforms.

1. Python – EduBlocks Pi features a range of Basic Python functions to get you started with how the basics of Python work.
2. GPIOZero – GPIOZero written by Ben Nuttall and Dave Jones is the most common library for controlling the Pi’s GPIO pins. You can use it to spin motors, control LEDs and much more!
3. Minecraft – The Raspberry Pi features Minecraft Pi Edition as standard, EduBlocks includes the Python library that allows you to hack Minecraft!
4. SonicPi – Sonic Pi, written by Sam Aaron, allows you to make music with code. The unoffical Python library for Sonic Pi is included in EduBlocks.
5. PiMoroni Addons – Control the BLINKT! LED stip and the Explorer hat with the official libraries included in EduBlocks.
6. BitIO – BitIO, written by David Whale of the micro:bit foundation, allows you to control the micro:bit via Python 3 using serial commands.

Edublocks is opensource and free to use by everyone. You need to install some software to use it on the Raspberry Pi while developing for the micro:bit does not require installation, but only access to a web browser. You can read more about Edublocks here – https://edublocks.org/

Some of the features of EduBlocks include :

• Block Format: Easy and simple interface that uses a building block format to code.
• Extensive Documentation: Lots of documentation to get you ready to go quickly. New projects added every 2 weeks.
• Range of libraries: EduBlocks has a range of libraies like GPIOzero, Minecraft & Sonic Pi.
• Python View: Once you have coded the blocks, you can easily switch to the Python View to see the real Python code.

Prerequisites

1. This tutorial makes use of the Raspberry Pi 3B.
2. If you haven’t purchased a Raspberry Pi 3B  yet you might want to head over and pick one up now.
3. We would recommend that you pick up the Raspberry Pi 3B and a breadboard.
4. The breadboard makes working with the Raspberry Pi 3B a lot easier. You can pick up these items from OzToyLib.
5. We will be using the Edublock Block editor (https://edublocks.org) to write code for all our tutorials.

About the Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is a series of small single-board computers developed in the United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to promote the teaching of basic computer science in schools and in developing countries. It is a capable little computer which can be used in electronics projects, and for many of the things that your desktop PC does, like spreadsheets, word processing, browsing the internet, and playing games. The original model became far more popular than anticipated, selling outside its target market for uses such as robotics.

The Raspberry Pi does not include peripherals (such as keyboards, mice and cases). However, some accessories have been included in several official and unofficial bundles. According to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, over 5 million Raspberry Pis were sold by February 2015, making it the best-selling British computer. By November 2016 they had sold 11 million units, and 12.5m by March 2017, making it the third best-selling “general purpose computer”. In July 2017, sales reached nearly 15 million.In March 2018, sales reached 19 million. Most Pis are made in a Sony factory in Pencoed, Wales; some are made in China or Japan.

You can read more about the Raspberry Pi here – RaspberryPi.org.