Why teach coding
Learning to code teaches students to problem-solve and think creatively in ways that few other subjects can match. It's not just a vital skill for today's digital world—it ignites students' imaginations, helps them understand the technology they use daily, and introduces transferable skills that benefit learning in all disciplines.
Coding also prepares students for the future job market. Whether they pursue careers in technology or not, computational thinking and basic programming knowledge are increasingly valuable across all fields.
Most importantly, coding is fun for both teachers and students. Microcomputing makes coding tangible and engaging through real-world projects that students can see, touch, and use.
Benefits of microcomputing
Microcomputers are scaled-down computers containing a microprocessor, memory, and ports for connecting peripherals. Though slower than laptops or desktops, they provide full computer functionality at low cost and low power consumption. Usually no bigger than a credit card, these tiny computers bring massive benefits to education:
Empowering and educational
Coding empowers students—they can make a computer do exactly what they want with just a few lines of code. This foundation sets students up for a lifetime of successful technology use and management. In today's technology-focused world, understanding how computers work is a critical transferable skill.
Problem-solving powerhouses
Using microcomputers for real-world projects teaches students to approach problems from innovative angles. For example, microcomputers can become cameras, media centers, or retro gaming machines. Learning to code helps students follow instructions logically, break down problems into manageable chunks, and think systematically.
Powering creativity
Microcomputers are highly versatile. They can be used in countless ways, helping students solve problems creatively. There's also crossover between coding and other creative disciplines—the logical progression needed to write code mirrors basic storytelling skills, improving written and oral communication.
It's engaging
Microcomputers make learning to code fun. They help engage students in different ways by letting them use their own ideas to build their own projects. Learning doesn't require endless staring at monitors or textbooks—students can learn through games, apps, and hands-on electronics.
Affordable
Microcomputers cost a fraction of the price of PCs or laptops. Most complete kits cost less than $100, making them accessible even for schools with limited budgets.
Why Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi is the most popular microcomputer for education, and for good reason:
Education is at its heart
The Raspberry Pi was originally created as a low-cost device to improve programming skills and computer hardware understanding at the pre-university level. Its creators recognized that while today's students are tech-savvy users, many don't understand the technology running their devices. This educational foundation makes the Raspberry Pi one of the most user-friendly and accessible microcomputers available.
Robust and affordable
Raspberry Pis have no moving parts and can be housed in protective cases, making them difficult to break. Even if something goes wrong, replacements start at just $35—far less than repairing or replacing traditional computers.
Open source and expandable
The Raspberry Pi is an open hardware initiative, meaning projects are well-documented and you can learn from others' work. There are countless gadgets and accessories to transform your Pi into anything from a camera to a robot. Most projects don't require expensive additional hardware.
Excellent teacher resources
Teaching coding might sound daunting, but the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides extensive free resources:
- Detailed project tutorials
- Teacher training programs (Picademy)
- Curriculum guides aligned with educational standards
- Active community forums
- Free programming languages (Scratch and Python)
With a huge community of enthusiasts and educators, you're never alone when teaching with Raspberry Pi.
Classroom examples
Educational institutions worldwide use Raspberry Pi for teaching, learning, and creative projects. Here are inspiring examples:
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
This school used Raspberry Pis to run a coding club for children aged 9-10. Using Scratch and Python (both free with the Pi), students learned coding basics through hands-on projects and challenges.
OCR (UK awarding body)
OCR provides detailed descriptions of using Raspberry Pi to "liven up lessons," including projects like:
- A singing jellybaby demonstrating circuits and sensors
- A flood alarm using water detection sensors
- Classroom challenges that apply computer science concepts to real problems
Richard Pate School
Students created a Door Answering System to help elderly or disabled people answer the door remotely, combining coding with real-world problem-solving and community service.
Student innovation projects
Students have built:
- Motion, light, and temperature detection systems with automatic responses
- Smart homes with Lego that respond to environmental conditions
- Basic electronic control systems integrating multiple sensors
Charlotte Latin School, North Carolina
Tom Dubick, an engineering teacher, was the first US teacher to regularly use Raspberry Pis in lessons. He taught middle-school girls to build electronic systems and code with Scratch and Python. As he told the Raspberry Pi Foundation: "Our students are doing math and science when they learn how a computer works...They are doing engineering when they develop a unique use of the Raspberry Pi to solve a problem. It will be a great opportunity for our students to experience the creativity and beauty found in engineering and design."
Getting started
Step 1: Get a Raspberry Pi
Start by purchasing a Raspberry Pi so you can learn the basics yourself. Consider:
- Complete Starter Kits that include everything you need (Pi, power supply, case, SD card)
- Classroom packs for multiple students
- Specialty kits for specific project types
Step 2: Get training
Sign up for the Raspberry Pi Foundation's Picademy, a free teacher training program. Options include:
- Two-day in-person training courses
- Online self-paced training
- Workshops introducing the Pi and classroom-ready projects
- Certification as a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator
The training gives you hands-on experience, project ideas, and the confidence to teach computing effectively.
Step 3: Explore resources
The Raspberry Pi Foundation's education section offers tons of free resources:
- Teachers' Guide to Raspberry Pi: Basics of introducing Pi to your classroom
- Digital Making Curriculum: Structured learning paths for different age groups and skill levels
- Project library: Hundreds of step-by-step project tutorials
- Forums and community: Get help from other educators worldwide
There's no single right way
Every classroom and every teacher is different. Like the Pi itself, get creative with how you introduce it. Start small with a single project, expand to a coding club, or integrate it across your curriculum—the versatility of the Raspberry Pi supports whatever approach works for you and your students.
Raspberry Pi will completely change how your students view technology and their ability to create with it.