What is it?
Perhaps the most common form of a microcontroller is the Arduino, a small, open-source computing platform that is controlled by a unique programming language.
Defined by Arduino as 'a tool for making computers that can sense and control more of the physical world than your desktop computer,' a student can attach sensors and other inputs in order to control various physical outputs, such as lights and motors.
Do you see the similarities to litteBits yet?
You wouldn't be blamed for thinking of this as the more powerful 'big brother' of littleBits.
The following video, recorded at TEDGlobal in 2012, provides a bit more information about the development and details of the Arduino system:
Defined by Arduino as 'a tool for making computers that can sense and control more of the physical world than your desktop computer,' a student can attach sensors and other inputs in order to control various physical outputs, such as lights and motors.
Do you see the similarities to litteBits yet?
You wouldn't be blamed for thinking of this as the more powerful 'big brother' of littleBits.
The following video, recorded at TEDGlobal in 2012, provides a bit more information about the development and details of the Arduino system:
Key Understandings About Arduino (and other microcontrollers):
Points to Ponder:
Before moving to the next section, stop and think about the possible uses of Arduino in a classroom. Reflect upon the information provided above and try to imagine including Arduino in your classroom. As always, you are encouraged to record your thoughts in some manner.
Below you will find some guiding questions, if you're in need of inspiration:
- Inexpensive.
- Powerful and flexible.
- Can be used with a variety of sensors and switches.
- Requires knowledge of the Arduino programming language.
- Large and active support community.
- Understanding of Arduino brings knowledge applicable to other microprocessors (such as LilyPad).
- Accessible for both beginners and experts.
Points to Ponder:
Before moving to the next section, stop and think about the possible uses of Arduino in a classroom. Reflect upon the information provided above and try to imagine including Arduino in your classroom. As always, you are encouraged to record your thoughts in some manner.
Below you will find some guiding questions, if you're in need of inspiration:
- What benefits do you think a system like Arduino would bring to your classroom?
- What are some possible roadblocks to the successful use of Arduino?
why would i use it?
As with the other tools listed on this website, there is a time and a place for the use of Arduino. This will likely be determined by your students, depending on the task or challenge being presented to them.
While you could use it to teach programming, circuits and even math (check out this blog post called Arduino In Math), it is really just another tool in your Maker Kit. There's no denying it, however, that this is advanced stuff. It will take dedication and persistence to learn how to effectively and efficiently use microcontrollers in student projects.
Commonly used in robotics, students can use an Arduino anytime the need for an interactive electronics solution is required to demonstrate their knowledge or understanding of a topic.
Here is one brief rationale for choosing Arduino:
While you could use it to teach programming, circuits and even math (check out this blog post called Arduino In Math), it is really just another tool in your Maker Kit. There's no denying it, however, that this is advanced stuff. It will take dedication and persistence to learn how to effectively and efficiently use microcontrollers in student projects.
Commonly used in robotics, students can use an Arduino anytime the need for an interactive electronics solution is required to demonstrate their knowledge or understanding of a topic.
Here is one brief rationale for choosing Arduino:
how do i use it?
Fortunately for the beginner user, there is a strong and active support community to help you learn how to use Arduino.
Before you go searching the internet, however, it is suggested that you start with one of the Arduino Starter Kits recently purchased for TMC. These kits contain all the materials and information needed to work through several different introductory projects designed to teach about both circuit design and programming.
If you choose not to start with the Starter Kit, there are several online tutorials to help guide you through your first steps. Below you will find three YouTube playlists, each created by the Open Source Hardware Group, designed for someone who is new to the Arduino platform.
Before you go searching the internet, however, it is suggested that you start with one of the Arduino Starter Kits recently purchased for TMC. These kits contain all the materials and information needed to work through several different introductory projects designed to teach about both circuit design and programming.
If you choose not to start with the Starter Kit, there are several online tutorials to help guide you through your first steps. Below you will find three YouTube playlists, each created by the Open Source Hardware Group, designed for someone who is new to the Arduino platform.
Section 0: Familiarization: Arduino Course for Absolute Beginners from Open Source Hardware Group on YouTube.
Section 2: Control: Arduino Course for Absolute Beginners from Open Source Hardware Group on YouTube
If you're looking for a break from videos, you may wish to check out the following Arduino tutorials, created by Simon Monk, hosted on the Adafruit website. These tutorials cover much the same material but allow you to follow along at your own pace instead of having to pause the video.
Use the image below to navigate to Simon Monk's tutorials:
Use the image below to navigate to Simon Monk's tutorials:
PROJECT IDEAS
With such an active and dedicated group of users, there are essentially countless amounts of projects that have used the Arduino as their backbone.
Here are three sources of project ideas for you to peruse:
Make Magazine: Arduino
Arduino Playground - Project Ideas
Codeduino - Projects
And just for fun:
GPS Cat Tracker via Make Magazine
Here are three sources of project ideas for you to peruse:
Make Magazine: Arduino
Arduino Playground - Project Ideas
Codeduino - Projects
And just for fun:
GPS Cat Tracker via Make Magazine