quick thoughts on intro to arduino programming

[Sebastian Dziallas]

I just came across this Kickstarter [0], which reminded of something I
wanted to share. In Computing & Craft, the way we introduced people to
the idea of controlling a micro-controller (with PWM and whatever comes
along with it) was initially through Scratch and then Modkit.

I'm assuming that this might be not advanced enough for what we're
looking into here, but I thought that it was fascinating to have
students work with blocks in Scratch, and then introduce them to
controlling parts of the Arduino using similar (albeit different) blocks.

Anyway, I was just reminded of that earlier, so I thought I'd share it.

-s

[0]
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modkit/modkit-micro-the-easiest-way-to-program-microcontr

[Matt Jadud]

Hi Sebastian,

I had pointed Jan at S4A (Scratch 4 Arduino), and we've been thinking
about this more in the context of the robotics course (a
pre-intro/intro to computing). That said, there's overlap, and over
time we're going to find where these things fit.

Modkit definitely looks like the way to go---that is, it's a native
solution, as opposed to something that requires Firmata to be
installed on the Arduino (which is how S4A works).

I'm going to go ahead and pledge $50, and if it goes through, I'll
call it part of my startup at Berea. It definitely looks like
something with serious potential.

Cheers,
Matt