Foreword
Last updated
Last updated
The Raspberry Pi is a tiny and cheap computer designed by Eben Upton and colleagues in 2006 at the University of Cambridge's Computer Laboratory. The concept and design was a direct response to a steady decline in computer science skill levels of students. (Raspberry Pi site , More history)
We are both programmers and teach in Australia. We have also noticed a steady decline in IT skill levels of our students. Most of our students from the 1990s could program and were skilled manipulators of text based operating systems such as DOS, Acorn MOS, AmigaOS and UNIX. In response, the Australian F-10 Curriculum for Digital Technologies introduces programming concepts in years 4 and 5. In year 10 students are expected to understand concepts such as algorithms, database-driven websites and robotics (Australian Curriculum).
Most of our students are highly skilled IT consumers. These skills are often erroneously interpreted by teachers and students as high levels of computer literacy. Using the Raspberry Pi as a tool for students to learn basic programming skills has been very successful. Students like the interactive nature of the Raspberry Pi. Student are also exposed to the Linux OS as an added bonus when using the Raspberry Pi. We have used the Raspberry Pi in our classrooms for the last 5 years for introductory programming courses. Learning outcomes have improved since the introduction of the Pi in our beginners courses.
July 2016 Dirk Koudstaal & Daniel Darcy Hobart Tasmania Australia
