The first lesson using Raspberry Pi machines is taught, but will it produce more IT workers?
The world’s first IT lesson featuring the miniature Linux-based computer Raspberry Pi took place at the Swallow Hill Community College in Leeds yesterday.
It was organised by the official distributor of the device, element14 (owned by Premier Farnell), and the social enterprise Leeds Ahead. The lesson, designed for children aged between 11 and 12, included the creation of web pages using Raspberry Pi as a mini server.
Pies for kids
Element14, a collaborative engineering community and electronics store, donated a number of the much-coveted miniature computers to Swallow Hill Community College in Leeds. The lesson was part of a wider initiative, in which element14 and Leeds Ahead are partnering to run a programme called ‘Make the Grade’, aiming to help reignite children’s passion for science and technology.
At the lesson, children worked in groups under the instruction of Mike Powell, technical development manger at element14, to create a number of web pages, using the Raspberry Pi as mini web server. The exercise was designed to demonstrate the availability and use of open source applications, such as Linux. Powell called Raspberry Pi “the ideal teaching aid to inspire a new generation of engineers and computer experts”.
“The master class was a fantastic opportunity for our kids to get an insight into the opportunities available with modern IT. We hope that days like this and the continued use of the Raspberry Pi at Swallow Hill will really inspire the pupils to consider careers in the field and give them a competitive advantage in a world were computer skills are more essential than ever,” commented Bryan Pearce, assistant principal at Swallow Hill.
This follows the recent announcement that Google will be funding Raspberry Pi computers for UK schools, made by chairman Eric Schmidt.
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