Course Overview

As part of this development track we will explore the basics of working with the Raspberry Pi. We will learn about the different capabilities of the Raspberry Pi, we will learn how to setup the Raspberry Pi board, connect up some basic peripherals to the Raspberry Pi board, install an operating system on the board and configure the Raspberry Pi Operating System for basic tasks.

The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python. It’s capable of doing everything you’d expect a desktop computer to do, from browsing the internet and playing high-definition video, to making spreadsheets, word-processing, and playing games.

The Raspberry Pi is designed and manufactured (plus sold through a retailer network worldwide) by the Raspberry Pi foundation. The Raspberry Pi Foundation is a registered educational charity based in the UK. The foundation’s goal is to advance the education of adults and children, particularly in the field of computers, computer science and related subjects. Visit the foundation’s stories page for more information about the foundation’s charitable work. You can read more about the history of Raspberry Pi and the people who have helped to make it the success it is today at the foundations about page.

This is an advanced electronics track and we would highly recommend that you complete some of the other coding, electronics and development tracks before you consider taking up this one.

1. Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch I
2. Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch II
3. Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit I
4. Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit II
5. Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit III
6. Design Interactive Games Using the BBC micro:bit
7. Introduction To Electronics Using The BBC micro:bit – I

Prerequisites –

1. This tutorial makes extensive 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. You can pick up both the Raspberry Pi 3B+ at OzToyLib – https://www.oztoylib.com.au/.

About the Raspberry Pi 3B+

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Plus) is the latest version of the Raspberry Pi. Just add a keyboard, mouse, display, power supply, micro SD card with installed Linux Distribution and you’ll have a fully fledged computer that can run applications from word processors and spreadsheets to games. The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ builds upon the features of its predecessors with a new, faster processor on board to increase its speed. It also features on-board WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy capabilities to enhance the functionality and the ability to power more powerful devices over the USB ports.  The latest Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ has a faster 64-bit 1.4GHz quad core processor, 1GB of RAM, faster dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.2, and significantly faster 300Mbit/s ethernet.