Category: lessons

… this is amazing. Here’s a follow up article written by Chat GPT on AND gates… its a good primer.
ChatGPT · Electronics · lessons · logic

… this is amazing. Here’s a follow up article written by Chat GPT on AND gates… its a good primer.

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Welcome back to the Blogger Brothers Computer Lessons series! In our last lesson, we discussed the different types of software that run on a computer, including the operating system and various apps. Today, we’re going to delve into the world of computer hardware and talk about a fundamental component of every CPU: the AND gate.… Continue reading … this is amazing. Here’s a follow up article written by Chat GPT on AND gates… its a good primer.

Computers… from the ground up. A mini series… (part 1)
computers · Electronics · lessons · logic

Computers… from the ground up. A mini series… (part 1)

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Most people don’t understand the low-level fundamentals of computers. Computers are made from transistors… a ton of them. When you start in on your computers science degree, the first thing you learn is programming languages, algorithms, computer architecture and the beginnings of networking. These are all VERY high level abstractions of what is happening inside… Continue reading Computers… from the ground up. A mini series… (part 1)

ESP32 Cameras! Incredible power for teaching.
arduino · Electronics · kids · lessons · magic · programming · Websites

ESP32 Cameras! Incredible power for teaching.

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There is a new and fantastic cluster of ESP32 boards that have hit the market.  This is just one of them.  They are WifiCameras that just work.  I’ve been tinkering with cameras for a long time – using them for dog detection, facial recognition, even Nerf Battle Turrets.  Before now many of those projects were… Continue reading ESP32 Cameras! Incredible power for teaching.

Lessons on PI 6: Playing Audio on a Raspberry PI
kids · lessons · nodejs · programming · raspberry pi

Lessons on PI 6: Playing Audio on a Raspberry PI

mamacker2 Comments

There are lots of ways to get audio out of your little Raspberry PI.  The first, and easiest way to get started playing MP3 Files is this: omxplayer The PI Foundation Way The Raspberry PI foundation wrote up a little article to it here.  I wont repeat their advice, so if you want to just… Continue reading Lessons on PI 6: Playing Audio on a Raspberry PI

Lessons on PI: Lesson 5 Make your PI Speak!
kids · lessons · programming · python · raspberry pi

Lessons on PI: Lesson 5 Make your PI Speak!

mamacker2 Comments

Computers that speak… There is something magical about making a computer speak.  I remember just getting started with them and my friends and I would attempt to convince the computer to say all manner of, ahem, interesting things.  None the less.  Getting early starters in on the fun is a great way to keep them interested.… Continue reading Lessons on PI: Lesson 5 Make your PI Speak!

Lessons on PI – Lesson 3 (cont.): A little programming…
kids · lessons · programming · python

Lessons on PI – Lesson 3 (cont.): A little programming…

mamacker2 Comments

The conditional… or “IF” statement Programs that count really fast or create MADLIBs are a ton of fun, but part of encoding knowledge is the ability to make decisions in code.  To do that we need something that will allow the code to take two different paths… the “if” statement. The if statement checks a value… Continue reading Lessons on PI – Lesson 3 (cont.): A little programming…

Lessons on PI – Lesson 2(cont.) A little programming…
kids · lessons · programming · python · raspberry pi

Lessons on PI – Lesson 2(cont.) A little programming…

mamacker3 Comments

What is programming? Programming is the process of recording knowledge or tasks into code.  Code like Python, or Javascript is a bridge “language” that allows humans to write their intent into formulas that a computer can then use like a recipe for action. Computers don’t get bored… In the previous lesson we used git to get some… Continue reading Lessons on PI – Lesson 2(cont.) A little programming…

Raspberry PI Foundation Curriculum – Great Structure! Achievable Milestones!
kids · lessons · raspberry pi

Raspberry PI Foundation Curriculum – Great Structure! Achievable Milestones!

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The Raspberry PI Foundation just released a neat way of structuring goals for a class.  In addition they’ve provided a way to segment interests among the students which reflects the latest thinking in personality types. Check it out: https://www.raspberrypi.org/curriculum/ For our class – I’ll have the students pick off the first level of each area… Continue reading Raspberry PI Foundation Curriculum – Great Structure! Achievable Milestones!

Lessons on PI – Lesson 4: The Sense Hat (and a little VIM)
Electronics · kids · lessons · python · raspberry pi

Lessons on PI – Lesson 4: The Sense Hat (and a little VIM)

mamacker3 Comments

The Sense Hat What’s a hat? Hats are the term that the Raspberry PI community uses to identify bits of hardware that are made to plug into the Raspberry Pi’s GPIOs (General Purpose IO) – that row of pins along one side of your pi.  There are lots of these out there to make interacting with… Continue reading Lessons on PI – Lesson 4: The Sense Hat (and a little VIM)

Lessons on PI – Lesson 3: Getting around (ls, cd, rm, mkdir, touch, pwd, less…)
lessons · raspberry pi · Websites

Lessons on PI – Lesson 3: Getting around (ls, cd, rm, mkdir, touch, pwd, less…)

mamacker3 Comments

The Linux operating system and specifically the terminal, can feel like a maze when trying to find your way around.  If you haven’t yet, check out Lesson 1, and Lesson 2. The file and directory File There are a couple of concepts you will have to hold in your head as you get started.  The… Continue reading Lessons on PI – Lesson 3: Getting around (ls, cd, rm, mkdir, touch, pwd, less…)