The credit-card sized computer designed to help teach children to program code has gone on sale today.
Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, simple computer created by a small group of people from the education world and the UK tech industry.
It is sold uncased without a keyboard or monitor, the Pi has gained much interest from educators and computer geeks.
Its supporters insist that the machines will help reverse a lack of programming skills for young people in the UK.
The Department for Education is in the process of making changes to the teaching of ICT in schools with the outcome likely to be a greater emphasis on programming skills.
Michael Gove mentioned specifically the Raspberry Pi in his speech to launch the BETT 2012 Exhibition in January. ”Initiatives like the Raspberry Pi scheme will give children the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of programming,” he said. ”This is a great example of the cutting edge of education technology happening right here in the UK.”
Initially the model ‘B’ of the Pi will be offered for sale at about £25. A cheaper £16 version ‘A’ will go on sale later in the year.
Education Reach have, along with many educationalists, managed to place orders for the first batch. We’ll let you know what we think when we get our hands on the first products …
