Introduction
This page has some links for more information or things to try out. Of course there is always Google, or DuckDuckGo.com, for finding even more.
Robots
- BOE-bot -- (Board of Education robot) from Parallax. This runs BASIC which is a bit old, but great for learning. The included book teaches basic electronics and experimentation. $75 on eBay
- mBot -- Arduino based. This is programmed using C++. Usually around $200. Has some reliability issues.
- LEGO -- Drag and drop coding. Very easy to use. Around $300.
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Open source turtle robot. Instuctions at https://www.instructables.com/id/OSTR. Parts kit at https://www.tindie.com/products/MakersBox/open-source-turtle-robot-ostr/. Easy to build kit. Some soldering is required. This may be hacked to do other things, but that is left to the user.
- Other robot kits, mostly based on Arduino microcontrollers, are available on Amazon.com, RobotShop.com or similar sites. Google is your friend. Understand what you are buying. There is a lot of variation.
Flashy Boards
- CodeBug -- uses blocky drag and drop coding to program a 5x5 matrix of red LEDs. Allows view of JavaScript and Python, but does not allow programming in those languages. Can access external switches (like Makey-Makey). See codebug.org.uk to try programming before buying.
- Micro:Bit -- uses blocky drag and drop coding and JavaScript. Has 5x5 red LED matrix, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, thermometer, radio (Bluetooth and proprietary). Needs an external battery or USB cable. In general this is a good bang for the buck. See microbit.org to try programming before buying.
- AdaFruit Circuit Playground -- LEDs arranged in a circle. LEDs are RBG which means they can be any color under program control. Uses blocky, JavaScript, and microPython. Has accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, thermometer. Need to add external battery. See makecode.adafruit.com to try programming before buying.
- Raspberry Pi + Sense Hat -- Program in just about any language. Library has been written for Python. 8x8 LED matrix uses RGB LEDs. Has accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, thermometer, humidity sensor. Need to add external power supply. Lots of information at http://raspberrypi.org. Free downloads of issues of MagPi, the official Raspberry Pi magazine at http://raspberrypi.org/magpi.
Coding
The language of your first project isn't important. They all do basically the same thing. Block drag and drop coding is popular with kids just starting out because it eliminates typing and syntax errors. Python is an easy language to use because it is very similar to English, yet it has enough power to do many business and scientific tasks. JavaScript is also an easy, but powerful language and is widely available because it is part of nearly every browser. C++, is C with extensions for object oriented programming, is a more technical language, but is popular among Linux enthusiasts.
- Code.org -- hour of code lessons are a fun quick introduction. Longer courses are available at all grade levels.
- CodeCombat.com -- solve programming problems to advance through adventure game. $
- class42.com/RobotRattle.html -- program robot movements with block drag and drop coding.
- microbit.org for a tutorial and code reference for the BBC micro:bit computer. https://makecode.microbit.org can be used without the micro:bit devices to write code in blocky (drag and drop), JavaScript, or Python.
- bitsbox.com/go -- simple JavaScript programming for standalone apps. This site offers activity cards for things to program. It can be used without paying with your own ideas. $
- Tynker.com -- coding for kids. $
- turtlegraphics.fun for JavaScript-based turtle graphics. Tutorials and examples also on that site.
- w3schools.com Simple courses in various languages. Lots of examples when you forget how to use something.
- TomorrowCorporation.com Human Resource Machine is a game that teaches the basics of assembly language programming that is almost as close as you can get to programming the actual hardware (yes, machine language programming is closer but too hard to get serious about). This is about as nerdy as it gets. The game has various levels. On each level you solve a program in what amounts to be assembly language. It is fun, although meeting the challenges can take extra time. Great for kids or adults. $$
Code Schools
When you are ready for a more serious courses on programming languages. Some of these courses are for pay, but you can find free or low courses. Most pay sites offer certification and have occasional sales.
- w3schools.com Simple courses in various languages.
- https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn Simple courses in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- LearnPython.com Simple course in Python is free, leads to a paywall (DataCamp).
- KhanAcademy.com Courses in just about anything.
- CodeAcademy.com
- SCCodes.orgFree courses in several languages.
- Dash.GeneralAssemb.ly
- Code Avengers
- Data Camp $
- coursera.com Courses in many subjects. $
- edX.com Courses in many subjects. $
- Udacity.com Courses in many subjects. $
- Udemy.com Courses in many subjects. Low cost options.
- MicrosoftVirtualAcademy.com Free courses for software developers.
- Free resources from your local or state library. Richland county offers Lynda.com.
Hardware Suppliers
- AdaFruit -- good source for electronic parts, wiring, circuit cards, drivers, etc.
- newark.com -- source for Raspberry Pi, Micro:bits, and codebugs. (Newark is part of the company the builds the Raspberry Pi and the Micro:bit
- Spark Fun -- similar to AdaFruit, but with a different set of parts.
- tindie.com -- many open source projects with varying building skills. Interesting things are here.
Contact
- Email for comments, suggestions, and questions is kirk.carlson@att.net
- Source code is at https:github.com/kirkcarlson