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 and program the Raspberry Pi using Scratch packaged with Raspbian. Raspbian is the Operating System that’s provided by that Raspberry Pi Foundation.

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.

Scratch is a visual programming language and online community targeted primarily at children. Using Scratch, users can create online projects and make them into anything by coding with simple blocks. When they are done or when the desire to, they then share and can discuss their creations with each other. Developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, the service is designed to help children (ages 8 and up) learn to imagine, reason with common sense, and work with computers. Scratch so far has been translated into 70+ languages and is used in homes, schools, and after-school clubs in every country in the world. Scratch is often used in teaching coding, computer science, and computational thinking. Teachers also use it as a tool across many other subjects including math, science, history, geography, and art.

This is an introductory electronics track but 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. Introduction to the Raspberry Pi

Prerequisites –

1. This tutorial makes extensive use of the Raspberry Pi 4B
2. If you haven’t purchased a Raspberry Pi 4B yet you might want to head over and pick one up now.
3. You can pick up both the Raspberry Pi 4B at OzToyLib – https://www.oztoylib.com.au/.

About the Raspberry Pi 4B

The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 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 4 Model B builds upon the features of its predecessors with a new, faster processor 1.5Ghz Quad Core Cortex-A72 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 4 Model B offers 1GB/2GB/4GB LPDDR4 SDRAM, Full-throughput Gigabit Ethernet, Dual-band 802.11ac wireless networking, Bluetooth 5.0, Two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, Dual monitor support with resolutions upto 4K (WOW!!!), VideoCore VI graphics, supporting OpenGL ES 3.x and 4Kp60 hardware decode of HEVC video.