Raspberrypi.org put together a wonderful guide for teachers interested in using Raspberry Pi in their classroom
If you are looking to use Raspberry Pis in your classroom, then there are a number of ways you can do this outlined in this guide. Some solutions repurpose existing classroom kit in order to minimise further expense.
It is recommended that you first read this guide to learn how to set up a standalone Raspberry Pi for the first time, if you are new to using the device, before reading on.
One way to use Raspberry Pi in the classsroom is as a standalone device that students can use outside of the school network to create programs and electronic projects, without fear of breaking expensive equipment or taking down an entire school network. It is an environment that allows for the freedom of failure, and it is through failing that students learn. If a file system becomes corrupted then it’s okay, as you can always start again with a fresh SD card image. If you blow an LED, it doesn’t matter.
Another appealing feature of the Raspberry Pi in education is that it looks interesting, and students ask questions about the hardware. How is it a computer? How does it work? What are input and output devices? Where does it store its software? and so on.
Hardware required
A number of Raspberry Pis; one between two can work depending on the work students are doing. Either Model B or Model B+.
Enough SD Cards or microSD Cards (Model B+) for each Pi.
USB keyboards and mice for each Pi.
Micro USB power supply for each Pi.
HDMI cable to connect to a monitor for each Pi (see Monitor Solutions below).
A monitor for each Pi.Cross-curricular opportunities
Using Raspberry Pis in a classroom can also offer different ways of teaching and learning. It opens up the possibility of seeing computing more as a creative and maker-style activity. Computing can be a truly cross-curricular subject in Art, Science and Technology. Raspberry Pi can offer more than you realise in education.
What does a good computing classroom look like? By Clive Beale
Teaching resources
With qualified teachers among our staff we are producing teaching materials, including full schemes of work that are cross-curricular, engaging, and satisfy the curriculum. They are published under a Creative Commons licence so that teachers can use them however they see fit.Teach – Raspberry Pi Teaching Resources
A great place to start is with our Getting Started LessonHere at the Raspberry Pi Foundation we offer FREE CPD for teachers as the Raspberry Pi Academy or Picademy for short. To find out more click on the links below:
Picademy Page
Picademy 3. A report of some note by Clive Beale
Each Friday is PiDay here at Adafruit! Be sure to check out our posts, tutorials and new Raspberry Pi related products. Adafruit has the largest and best selection of Raspberry Pi accessories and all the code & tutorials to get you up and running in no time!
