Raspberry Pi gets an overhaul

The Raspberry Pi has been given an overhaul.

Link to article giving details of the new Raspberry Pi B+:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28263659

Traffic lights - part 3

Using the FUZE and the electronics component to co-ordinate a set of traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing.

FUZE Basic supports robotics

Binary Distribution has announced that the latest version of FUZE Basic has built in support for the OWI-535 robot arm.

More information from the FUZE website: information on the robot arm and FUZE Basic

OWI Robots website here and the product on the Maplin Electronics website here

FUZE now supports sound samples

The latest version of FUZE Basic now supports sound samples.

Depending on your set up for using the FUZE you might need to add some external speakers so that the sounds can be heard. The FUZE box has an audio output next to the HDMI socket.

Monitors with in-built speakers should play the sounds without the need for additional devices.

Update to FUZE Basic

A new version of FUZE Basic is now available from the FUZE website. It is version 2.1.9 and it supports a variety of new commands.

Binary Distribution has updated the User Guide to reflect the new changes. It is available here: link to new FUZE Basic User Guide

A guide as to how to obtain, install and use the latest version of FUZE Basic is here: link to FUZE Basic Download guide

Traffic lights - part 2

Using the FUZE electronics components and breadboard to programme a set of traffic lights.

FUZE Project 3: Red light spells danger

Dunross Publishing's third project lesson for FUZE BASIC is now available on the website.

Download the lesson here:
https://sites.google.com/site/dunrosspublishing/home/project-lessons

Red light spells danger (part 1) uses the electronics components of the FUZE to set up a simple set of traffic lights:

•Writing precise and unambiguous instructions – thinking like a computer
•Planning a sequence of events – the sequence of lights in a set of traffic lights
•Setting up an electronic circuit correctly and safely

Traffic lights

Using the FUZE electronics components and breadboard to programme a set of traffic lights.

Teaching computing

Over the last few weeks I have been taking the first part of the University of East Anglia's online course Teaching Computing.

The course is really aimed at teachers who will have to start teaching the new computing curriculum in the UK from September 2014.

But, although not a teacher myself, it has been very interesting to read the comments and concerns of teachers who will have to run lessons on the new syllabus.

Of course, there are several new phrases linked with the new curriculum. One of the most oft used in the course is "digital literacy", a phrase which is not that easy to say at speed without garbling it into one word "digitaliteracy".

The requirements for new entrants wishing to teach the computing syllabus are detailed and one wonders how many existing teachers who will be teaching computing from the autumn would meet the standard.

http://www.computingatschool.org.uk/data/uploads/CSSubjectKnowledgeRequirements.pdf

Judging by some of the comments left on the course's message board, some teachers are way out of their depth and will have an astonishing amount to learn before September if their pupils are to learn anything useful about computing.

By chance, I came across this article by Toby Young which offers his view on what is required to produce the next Mark Zuckerburg:

Want the next Mark Zuckerburg? Teach Latin! (Spectator, 18 January 2014, p60)

The weakness in his argument could be that there are even fewer teachers qualified to teach Latin well than there are to teach computer science.

FUZE Project 2: Money, money, money

Dunross Publishing's second project lesson for FUZE BASIC is now available on the website.

Download the lesson here:
https://sites.google.com/site/dunrosspublishing/home/project-lessons

Money, money, money creates a simple ATM/cash machine to discuss variables:

• Naming and assigning variables
• Tracking and updating the value of variables
• Using mathematical functions in computer programmes
• Thinking like a computer

Light up my life

I finally got round to trying out the electronics component of the FUZE at the weekend.

Since getting the FUZE I had been curious as to how the Raspberry Pi interacts with the electronics 'breadboard'.

I was able to follow the instructions in the lesson plan successfully but staring at the breadboard for too long does make little squares appear in front of your eyes.

I need to spend a bit more time understanding the code and its components and how they control what happens on the breadboard. But, all in all, a good first electronics session.

The Cambridge Centre for Computing History

I was interested to read that a FUZE has been donated to the Cambridge Centre for Computing History.

Andy Semark, volunteer at the museum, said "We love FUZE. It's a really well designed system with the Raspberry Pi at the heart of it. It allows you to create simple circuits on the built in bread-board and control them from BASIC. It's very reminiscent of the eighties and allows creativity not only in software but hardware too".

Full article here: FUZE - Inspiring the next generation

I hadn't heard about the centre before seeing the article about the FUZE. As well as a great collection of computers from across the decades they also run interesting events, not least a Retro Gaming Night and workshops for learning to use the Raspberry Pi.

There might also be plans to run similar workshops for the FUZE in the future.

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/

FUZE Project 1: Think of a number

As part of my coding education I have designed and written a project for use with FUZE BASIC on the FUZE.

The lesson follows on from the first three project cards supplied with the FUZE: 1-1 Hello world, 1-2 Variables eh? and 1-3 It's string theory - knot!

Think of a number uses a basic number ‘trick’ to explore the following ideas:

• Understanding and developing algorithms
• Writing precise and unambiguous instructions
• Using logic to anticipate errors and expected results
• Creating and comparing variables
• Using mathematical functions in computer programmes

I have found planning the lesson a very useful way of improving my own coding ability. I hope you find it of use too.

Download the lesson here:

 https://sites.google.com/site/dunrosspublishing/home/project-lessons

 

War for talent in Silicon Valley

If money is your motivation for learning about computer coding, here is a story from Business Insider to inspire you to persevere when your enthusiasm dips:

http://www.businessinsider.com/a-google-programmer-blew-off-a-500000-salary-at-startup--because-hes-already-making-3-million-every-year-2014-1

FUZE: Variables, loops and syntax

I have begun the new year by working through the programme cards that are available from the FUZE website.

They provide an introduction to BASIC and the central elements of programming like variables - use, naming convention etc.

Also practised some loop programmes using the REPEAT UNTIL command to calculate how many cakes are left if I eat some.