4000+ Words Draft Dissertation
Download 404.8 Kb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Current method of teaching computing in schools
- Evaluation
- Design
- References
Review:
BBC Micro Bit“The Micro PC market is flourishing, with pocket-sized computing units available at bargain basement prices. What started with the Raspberry Pi is now becoming an all-out computing revolution.” [Chr15] What is a Micro PC? Micro Pcs are miniature computers, nothing like the normal PCs that we are familiar with. We can now have normal big PCs but shrunk down to as small the size of a credit card and this is all thanks to the miniaturization of modern processing and storage technology. Hardware Discussion: Review: BBC news article - A computing revolution in schools [Ror14] “This is the week when a revolution begins to sweep through schools in England. It involves a whole new way of teaching children about computing - but I suspect many parents, and even some teachers, know very little about this important moment in education.” This article discusses the new national curriculum for computing in England. It states how children from the age of five and upwards are going to start being taught how to program/code. The concern started with the teaching of ICT in schools, most schools ICT lessons involved an office course e.g. Microsoft Office skills, which realistically is not helpful when applying to university computing degrees or computing jobs. This statement is extremely true, as even the producers of the Raspberry Pi agree stating a major factor for their creation of the Raspberry Pi was due to most people applying for university computing courses not having enough computing experience, “typical applicants might only have done a little web design” [Ras157]. Though the new curriculum has major benefits, some aspects of it have been criticized. For example in the article it states that some requirements for Key Stage 1 pupils (five to seven year olds) are as follow:
They should be able to understand what algorithms are and how they are implemented as programs on digital devices Create and debug simple programs Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs This is extremely challenging. The new curriculum is hard enough for children in secondary schools to grasp, so how are 5-7 year olds who can just about read and write expected to be able to understand algorithms and create and debug programs? This is aiming to high, it is very difficult to teach children of such a young age such complex topics. Children should be eased into computing in a fun manor slowly as their key stage increases so does the complexity of the way in which they are taught computing – coding/programming. The introduction of new programs and teaching resources across the CBBC and CBeebies website etc. to get children interested in computing is a great idea. It familiarizes them with computing in a fun environment making them keen to voluntarily want to learn more. As stated in the articles this is not only aimed at children, but also at engaging adults with computer programming with various technologies too. These new initiatives are a great way to familiarize and intrigue people into the subject. Overall, this article has its perks and weaknesses. As the article itself states there are bound to be troubles as schools get to grips with the new curriculum, however in the long run these changes are going to change computing in England drastically for the better. The aim of these changes are not to make everyone become a “Mark Zuckerbergs”, because everyone knows that is not going to happen, not everyone is going to have a passion for the subject but to understand how the technology/computers they are using function. To conclude this article - “If we can show a new generation how to be the masters not the servants of the machines of the future, then that is a prize worth winning.”
A lot of the teachers that have to teach the subject do not themselves know much about the topic, therefore cannot teach it to the best standard that children should be being taught it. This is not the teaching staffs fault by no means, they simply have to meet the curriculum, they may not have time to teach themselves computing/coding, therefore are most likely not comfortable/confident with teaching the subject, which will reflect on their teaching and impact the engagement students have with the lesson, and overall subject. Overall meaning there is a constant negative loop of teachers not being confident in teaching the subject, which then reflects on the pupils and their attitudes towards the subject. Evaluation:Conclusion: The overall purpose and conclusion for this dissertation is to improve the teaching of computing in schools. The approach in order to try and reach the purpose of study/research is to firstly persuade teachers to try and participate in my implementation research, secondly to make it fun for the children and lastly for both teachers and pupils to find it successful and interesting and implement similar activities in their everyday teaching. This implementation research is aimed at teachers just as much as it is children because children cannot teach themselves the topic in schools; teachers are the people responsible for the teaching of computing in schools. DesignTechnical specificationRaspberry Pi 2 Model B Since the first Raspberry Pi Model B (2012) was launched, major software changes have been made in order to get the best out of the Broadcom processor and the CPU. (Raspberry Pi) This is a second generation Raspberry Pi, replaced the original Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+ in February 2015. The Raspberry Pi 2 has an identical form factors to the previous (Pi 1) Model B+ and has complete compatibility with Raspberry Pi 1.
• A 900MHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU (~6x performance) • 1GB LPDDR2 SDRAM (2x memory) • Complete compatibility with Raspberry Pi 1
As it is an ARMv7 processor, it can run the full range of ARM GNU/Linux distributions, including Snappy Ubuntu Core, as well as Microsoft Windows 10. Raspberry Pi themselves state that they recommended the Raspberry Pi Model B for us in schools as it offers more flexibility for learners than the leaner (Pi) Model A+, which is seen to be more useful for embedded projects and projects which require very low power. (Raspberry Pi)
The Model 1 B+ is the final version of the original Raspberry Pi. Model 1 B+ replaced the model B in July 2014, and was outmoded by the Model 2 B in February 2015.
According to the Raspberry Pi team the Model B+ is suitable for use in schools, it offers more flexibility for learners than the learner Model A or A+ which are more useful for embedded projects and projects which requires low power and has more USB ports than the Model B. (Raspberry Pi) Raspberry Pi 1 Model A+ The Model A+ is a lost-cost alternative Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi team recommended this model for embedded projects: projects that require very low power or Ethernet and multiple USB ports. (Raspberry Pi) The planned implementation requires: flexibility for learners, therefore needs power, and as the Raspberry Pi will be working alongside another device it requires numerous USB ports, which this model does not offer.
The compute module development kit is a prototyping kit for people who wish to make use of the Pi in a more flexible form factor, intended for industrial application. This module is straightforward to design into a custom system according to the Raspberry Pi team, as they state they have put all of the tricky bits onto the module itself, so users have the freedom to add extra components and are able to add parts exactly where the product needs them to be. (Raspberry Pi Compute Module Development Kit)
This product does comply with the requirements needed for this implementation; it has absolute flexibility, which is a major requirement. This is definitely something that maybe could be used for this implementation. Raspberry Pi Zero The Raspberry Pi Zero is half the size of a Model A+, with twice the effectiveness. A small Pi that is affordable for any project. (Raspberry Pi )
As the website states “this project is affordable enough for any project” this seems like a suitable solution to familiarise students with Raspberry Pi, by conducing start games. Raspberry Pi Touch Display This 7” Touchscreen Monitor gives users the ability to create all in one, integrated projects e.g. tablets and embedded projects. The 800 x 480 display connects via an adapter board, which handles power and single conversion. A range of educational software and programs are available on the Raspberry Pi are enabled, making learning and programming easier on the Raspberry Pi. (Raspberry Pi) This seems like an extremely useful tool, it contains education software which is exactly what is needed for this implementation and it states it makes learning programming easier – which is the overall aim of this whole dissertation (to teach computing in a game format).
The Sense HAT has an 8x8 RGB LED matrix, a five-button joystick and includes the following sensors: Gyroscope Accelerometer Magnetometer Temperature Barometric pressure Humidity
The Raspberry Pi team have also created a Python library providing easy access to everything on the board, the library explains everything: from features to usage and development. This device seems like a really interesting gadget, the temperature and magnetometer features are definitely something that can be used for the implementation, e.g. the weather station implementation idea that has been previously discussed. Raspberry Pi’s have numerous astounding devices that could be used for the implementation. However, each device has projects it is better suited to (that does not mean though that they cannot be used for other projects), e.g. the Raspberry Pi 1 Model A+ is a low cost alternative which is recommended for embedded projects, so projects that require low power and do not require Ethernet or multiple USB ports – so this specific model would not be suitable for the implementation we are planning to make.
As well as the Pi 2 Model B, the Raspberry Pi Zero seems like a really good starting tool to familiarise students with Raspberry Pi’s and programming/coding. Pi Zero is half the size of Model A+ with twice the effectiveness. The Sense Hat appears to have the most options – from a temperature sensor to a magnetometer sensor. The project ideas are endless, for example creating a sense hat data logger – this consists of busing the Sense Hat hardware to build a data logging device which can capture different information about its immediate environment – things such as putting the data logger in a fridge and observing temperate changes. The Sense Hat Data Logger is a great way of teaching computing using a Raspberry Pi. Pupils will learn to write and append data to a text file from within a Python program and learn to use threads to allow multiple parts of a program to run at once. [Ras16]aHa ReferencesCellan-Jones, R. (2014, September 01). A computing revolution in schools. Retrieved December 01, 2015 from BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29010511 Gov. (2015, 11 11). National Computing Curriculum. Retrieved 2015 from Gov: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239067/SECONDARY_national_curriculum_-_Computing.pdf https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study Kelion, L. (2015, July 07). BBC Micro Bit computer's final design revealed. Retrieved December 01, 2015 from BBC: ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-33409311 Pi, R. (2015, 11 11). HTML Lessons. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/coder-html-css-lessons/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 12). Model A. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/model-a/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 11). Networking Lessons. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/networking-lessons/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 11). Sonic Pi Lessons. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/sonic-pi-lessons/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 13). Test Lessons. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/turing-test-lessons/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 12). What is a raspberry pi. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/help/what-is-a-raspberry-pi/ Python, I. (2015, 11 12). Review of Python. Retrieved 2015 from Interactive Python: http://interactivepython.org/runestone/static/pythonds/Introduction/ReviewofBasicPython.html Quora. (2015, 11 14). Review of Scratch. Retrieved 2015 from Quora: https://www.quora.com/Reviews-of-Scratch-programming-language Raspberry Pi . (n.d.). Raspberry Pi Zero. Retrieved 01 11, 2016 from Raspberry Pi : https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/pi-zero/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). About Us - Raspberry Pi. Retrieved December 02, 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/about/
Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi 2. Retrieved 01 10, 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-2-on-sale/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi 2 Model B. Retrieved 01 10, 2016 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-2-model-b/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi Model A+. Retrieved 01 11, 2016 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/model-a-plus/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi Model B+. Retrieved 01 10, 2016 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/model-b-plus/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi Touch Display. Retrieved 01 11, 2016 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-touch-display/ Smith , C. (2015, November 26). Micro Pcs. Retrieved December 02, 2015 from BT: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/micro-pcs-could-raspberry-pi-bbc-micro-bit-or-the-9-chip-be-your-next-pc-11363982227742 Wikipedia. (n.d.). Arduino. Retrieved December 01, 2015 from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino Wikipedia. (n.d.). BBC Micro. Retrieved December 02, 2015 from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Micro Cellan-Jones, R. (2014, September 01). A computing revolution in schools. Retrieved December 01, 2015 from BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29010511 Gov. (2015, 11 11). National Computing Curriculum. Retrieved 2015 from Gov: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239067/SECONDARY_national_curriculum_-_Computing.pdf https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-computing-programmes-of-study Kelion, L. (2015, July 07). BBC Micro Bit computer's final design revealed. Retrieved December 01, 2015 from BBC: ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-33409311 Pi, R. (2015, 11 11). HTML Lessons. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/coder-html-css-lessons/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 12). Model A. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/model-a/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 11). Networking Lessons. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/networking-lessons/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 11). Sonic Pi Lessons. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/sonic-pi-lessons/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 13). Test Lessons. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/turing-test-lessons/ Pi, R. (2015, 11 12). What is a raspberry pi. Retrieved 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/help/what-is-a-raspberry-pi/ Python, I. (2015, 11 12). Review of Python. Retrieved 2015 from Interactive Python: http://interactivepython.org/runestone/static/pythonds/Introduction/ReviewofBasicPython.html Quora. (2015, 11 14). Review of Scratch. Retrieved 2015 from Quora: https://www.quora.com/Reviews-of-Scratch-programming-language Raspberry Pi . (n.d.). Raspberry Pi Zero. Retrieved 01 11, 2016 from Raspberry Pi : https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/pi-zero/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). About Us - Raspberry Pi. Retrieved December 02, 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/about/ Raspberry Pi Compute Module Development Kit. (n.d.). Retrieved 01 11, 2016 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/compute-module-development-kit/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi 2. Retrieved 01 10, 2015 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-2-on-sale/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi 2 Model B. Retrieved 01 10, 2016 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-2-model-b/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi Model A+. Retrieved 01 11, 2016 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/model-a-plus/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi Model B+. Retrieved 01 10, 2016 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/model-b-plus/ Raspberry Pi. (n.d.). Raspberry Pi Touch Display. Retrieved 01 11, 2016 from Raspberry Pi: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-touch-display/ Smith , C. (2015, November 26). Micro Pcs. Retrieved December 02, 2015 from BT: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/micro-pcs-could-raspberry-pi-bbc-micro-bit-or-the-9-chip-be-your-next-pc-11363982227742 Wikipedia. (n.d.). Arduino. Retrieved December 01, 2015 from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino Wikipedia. (n.d.). BBC Micro. Retrieved December 02, 2015 from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Micro
Wik153: , (Wikipedia, n.d.), Wik152: , (Wikipedia, n.d.), Ras155: , (Pi, What is a raspberry pi, 2015), Chr15: , (Smith , 2015), Ror14: , (Cellan-Jones, 2014), Ras157: , (Raspberry Pi, n.d.), Ras16: , (Raspberry Pi, 2016), Elmira Hajdari Download 404.8 Kb. Share with your friends:
|