Discussion Post - ETEC-568
Introduction
The following artifact is one of our first discussion board posts in our Makerspaces course. We were asked to discuss what we thought and knew about the Arduino circuit kits for our Makerspaces course. All I did know was that it involved computer programming, which I knew nothing about, and that intimidated me something fierce. Although I was nervous about doing the Arduino circuit kits throughout the course, including programming, I also knew that I was an overcomer by nature and circumstances. Still, I also knew that this course was a "hurdle" that I must scale to move forward through the ten courses "hurdles" needed to complete my master's degree program, which I was going to make happen!
1.4 Week 1 Discussion Board
As I mentioned in my introduction to my classmates, when we were asked to purchase this kit for the course, I became very nervous because I knew enough about computers and technology in my daily life and career. This kit involves getting to know programs and understanding the computer language. Coding and computer programming are about learning a language, just as students are asked to learn Spanish, French, or German. When the kit came in before the beginning of the course, I did not touch it. This first week of the class started, and we all were expected to dive right in, but I was apprehensive and eager to begin simultaneously. The first few days I opened the Arduino kit, I started by learning the parts and what they meant and were used for. I also knew that this kit involved constructing the circuit board and breadboard and then writing and creating computer programming coding to, for example, make the LED light blink repeatedly, make the LED light turn off, make the LED light turn on, and many others that we have not explored yet.
Makerspaces - ETEC-568
I learned this week that the LED light was an emitting diode. It is a component that is used to convert electrical energy into light energy as opposed to traditional/original light bulbs that transfer heat into light somehow. I learned that the longer end of the LED light was the anode or positive end. This is the part that will connect to the power. The short end of the LED light is the cathode, which is the negative end connected to the circuit board’s ground. Together, assembling the circuit/breadboards and writing the correct and very detailed computer programming will cause the LED to blink or many others, as stated previously.
The resistor is taking more time for me to fully wrap my head around in understanding what precisely it does or does not do. I know it is used to resist the flow of energy and will use up some energy of the components like the LED receiving energy to produce the light. I am guessing that it is used to preserve the energy between the components (LED light in this first case) so that they will not burn out or die (if you will) too soon. I also learned that the colors (different values for each color) surrounding the resistor all mean something in making up the specific resistor for use on the circuit/breadboards.
This week, the jumper wires were used in our project to connect the items connected to the breadboard by connecting the Arduino circuit board. This is the only function of these jumper wires. These jumper wires come in various lengths and colors, which probably means something, but I have yet to figure that out.
Finally, one of the most critical components is the USB cable that connects the Arduino circuit board to the computer. Thus, Arduino software that a user like me writes/types of the specific computer programming code necessary to carry out the assigned activities on the Arduino is the LED repeatedly blinking off and on for various seconds for this week’s challenge. The Arduino program coding is also essential as it is the communication language that connects, communicates, and carries out the instructed activity that has been programmed, like the LED blinking light this week. It was fantastic to say that I finally completed the challenge!
Arduino Circuit/Bread Boards for the blinking LED
Week 1 Retrospective
Week one was intimidating and had a huge learning curve because I had never had an opportunity or intention of learning electronics or coding, but I was eager to begin. The coding part for me went pretty well for me, as I consider myself to be tech-savvy. The electronics and circuit boards, and terminology were very challenging for me. Once I began through the readings, tutorials, and videos on YouTube, I began feeling better about this learning content. When I started the electronic part putting the circuit board, pieces, and breadboard together, though, I didn't configure the parts correctly. I think this is partly because I am lefthanded, and when I put things together, I often put them together backward. After multiple attempts and some frustration, I stepped away for a while, and then when I collected myself, I was ready to try again. Then after a few more tries, and intent focus on the correct placement of the parts, I successfully put the part together correctly, which I celebrated!Reflection
Reflecting on the Arduino purchase, unboxing, and completing my first activity, this was initially challenging and complex with tiny components that work with the Arduino kit. Initially, I broke some pins as I was too firm with the parts. But I continued as I watched videos on YouTube to learn the components and the coding involved in working on the unit. I also read the helpful tips Dr. Bigenho shared with us at the beginning of our activity. These helpful guides were a massive aid in completing the first activity. As I completed the first activity and the LED light blinked, I was so excited! This kit was intimidating but wasn't overwhelming to work with, which was a relief. Moving forward through the class, it was reassuring to know that activity one was a success, and through the next series of weeks, I would do my best to complete each of these assignments. It is essential to have these learning experiences to prepare for teaching the students we teach moving forward.