Source code.
With computer programming now, finally, making its way onto
the national curriculum, teachers and educators may find themselves stuck for
what tech to best give their budding young coders. The Raspberry Pi, that fine
British-made micro-computer, is at the heart of the UK's coding push, but
getting it into a usable mode for kids and adults alike to master can be difficult.
But not anymore, thanks to the Fuze.
The Fuze is essentially an enclosure for the Raspberry Pi which not only adds a built-in keyboard and extra USB ports, but also protects both the delicate motherboard from damage and the user from live exposed wires. But, aside from giving the user a base from which to start on a coding career, it also incorporates a very impressive (and crucially safe) simple electronics station. Basically, if you or your child have just a passing interest in how computers work, they need this right now.
Styled after the old BBC computers from the 70s and 80s
(which was our Editor's first experience of the digital age) the Fuze is
extremely robust being built from sheet aluminium. The keyboard section, although
plastic, is also very firm and well put together, resulting in a product that
seems far more resilient and tougher than most actual laptops. As well as the
functionality of the keyboard, you also get a wireless mouse included (or
rather you do in the pack we were sent to test), and thanks to the HDMI port,
all you need to get cracking is a monitor or TV.
There's a wealth of goodies in the Fuze's box, the most prominent
of which is the electronics pack. LEDs, wires, connectors, and a digital number
readout are all included for adventurous minds to start experimenting with. All
this, along with the actual coding possibilities, can be understood and
interpreted by the included source book. The book teaches the coding language
Fuze Basic, an extremely simple yet effective programming language that seems straightforward
enough to be mastered by children - which is the primary audience considering
the Fuze is designed for use in schools. You'll find a copy of Fuze Basic on an
included SD card, ready to run.
On the top of the Fuze casing sits the GPIO board - the
nerve centre for the electronics side of the unit. This essentially draws out
all the Raspberry Pi's pins and clearly labels them, which in turn can be
connected to a wealth of things - from the included LED lights, to other more
complex things you can add yourself such as joysticks and, in one Fuze pack
which is also available, a robotic arm! The breadboard, from where all the
small electronic pieces can be added, is great as it requires no soldering at
all - you just plug in all the components and you're done.
This really is a one-stop-shop for anyone wanting to get
started in computer programming, and it'll be no surprise if we see the Fuze in
countless classrooms across the land very soon.
Units available with and without a Raspberry Pi, but for a
fully kitted out version expect to pay around £260.
Visit www.fuze.co.uk