Difference between revisions of "Workshops/Arduino for beginners/Planning"

Latest revision as of 18:08, 8 May 2013

We will be using eventwax to take tickets, the page will be at http://londonhackspace.eventwax.com/beginners-arduino-workshop

What next ?

A pretty successful weekend, I think - the pupils all seemed fairly happy, even though nobody completed their projects as far as I saw !

We could do with some notes on how it went though : Workshops/Arduino_for_beginners/Debriefing

When?

A 2 day workshop over the 28th and 29th of August

Who?

Solexious - Both days
b3cft - Both days
nneil - Both days

artag - 28th

Harry
Mark

Jobs for Volunteers

A description of tasks that need to be done, and who will do them.

Task	Volunteer
Lead workshop	b3cft
Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Windows	artag b3cft nneil
Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Mac	b3cft nneil
Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Linux	artag Solexious nneil
Assisting users with non-working projects	artag Solexious b3cft nneil
Drawing up equipment purchase list	Solexious b3cft
Planning Workshop tasks
Preparing kits / boards etc. (no longer required since using earthshine kit ?)	artag
Publicity	chrisf?
Catering	Clare

Who for ?

Who would attend these workshops, and therefore who are they aimed at ?

nontechnical people who think it's a general computer course
computer people with a desire to make hardware do something
makers/artists who want to add electronics to their interactive exhibit
musicians who want to make custom input devices for MAX/MSP etc.
..

(these are suggestions of groups with differing requirements, I don't know what the correct answer is.)

Thoughts on a Lesson Overview

Day 1

Start with a general overview of hacking with respect to art, home automation, circuit bending, etc, presented as a short lecture to introduce the arduino and similar
- I did something similar for SkillsMatter/YDN a while ago: http://www.slideshare.net/b3cft/hardware-hacking
- culminated in this at the end of the talk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/b3cft/4798503275/
Go into a setup for people with helpers wandering around making sure the software is installed correctly (java and all that)
Pull up some more slides with setup for the basic programs; maybe go with the simple blinking light example
coffee break
Move into a more complicated example using output only
lunch
Lecture on basic electronic theory such as V=IR and similar. introduce buttons and other inputs
Go through an input example - e.g press a button to turn on or off a set of LEDS
Modify this example with perhaps a buzzer instead.
Mention briefly, processing and how to use a POT to create a nice interactive graph (this was the demo Tinker used)
Indication of how to extend arduino - optional shields, connecting relays, rs232 etc.
Once that demo is complete, depending on time, finish with a short lecture on where to get equipment, suppliers, advanced topics and cool things that have been made with Arduino.

Day 2

Develop / complete Day 1 exercises
Provide suggestions for small projects
Develop attendees' own ideas, assisting design and suggesting solutions to problems

How many?

10 places

How much?

£100 - Including: Arduino + kit, refreshments, lunch both days and the training

£20 discount for members

Kit to go with workshop

http://www.earthshineelectronics.com/10-arduino-duemilanove-compatible-starter-kit.html inc Arduino

Equipment needs for workshop

We will need to ensure we have facilities ready for the workshop to take place

10 or more clear table places, ideally no more than 2 persons per desk
10 or more acceptable chairs
Arduino installer on USB stick in case of network connection problems
Spare computers (though I'm assuming attendees will be asked to bring a laptop)
Mains power for laptops
Power for Arduinos, possibly via USB ... PSU included in kit
Components to help attendees build their own ideas ?? Should we ask what they intend, to try to make sure we have useful stuff ?
Food
Tea / coffee / soft drinks
Projector up & working
solid-core wire for breadboarding

Publicity

Channel	Announced
Posters and Flyers
Upcoming
LHS Mailing List
LHS Wiki
LHS Website
IRC Topic
Facebook Event
Facebook Annoucement
Twitter
OSHG Mailing list

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+''We will be using eventwax to take tickets, the page will be at http://londonhackspace.eventwax.com/beginners-arduino-workshop''
+==What next ?==
+A pretty successful weekend, I think - the pupils all seemed fairly happy, even though nobody completed their projects as far as I saw !
+We could do with some notes on how it went though : [[Workshops/Arduino_for_beginners/Debriefing]]
 ==When?==
-th/29th of August
+A 2 day workshop over the 28th and 29th of August
 ==Who?==
 *[[User:Solexious|Solexious]] - Both days
 *[[User:b3cft|b3cft]] - Both days
+*[[User:nneil|nneil]] - Both days
 *[[User:artag|artag]] - 28th
@@ Line 10: / Line 21: @@
 *[[User:Harry|Harry]]
-*[[User:ciaran.mooney|Ciarán]]
+*[[User:ms7821|Mark]]
 ===Jobs for Volunteers===
@@ Line 23: / Line 34: @@
 | Lead workshop || [[User:b3cft|b3cft]]
 |-
-|Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Windows || [[User:artag|artag]]
+|Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Windows || [[User:artag|artag]] [[User:b3cft|b3cft]] [[User:nneil|nneil]]
 |-
-|Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Mac ||
+|Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Mac || [[User:b3cft|b3cft]] [[User:nneil|nneil]]
 |-
-|Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Linux || [[User:artag|artag]] [[User:Solexious|Solexious]]
+|Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Linux || [[User:artag|artag]] [[User:Solexious|Solexious]] [[User:nneil|nneil]]
 |-
-| Assisting users with non-working projects || [[User:artag|artag]] [[User:Solexious|Solexious]]
+| Assisting users with non-working projects || [[User:artag|artag]] [[User:Solexious|Solexious]] [[User:b3cft|b3cft]] [[User:nneil|nneil]]
 |-
-| Drawing up equipment purchase list ||[[User:Solexious|Solexious]]
+| Drawing up equipment purchase list ||[[User:Solexious|Solexious]] [[User:b3cft|b3cft]]
 |-
 | Planning Workshop tasks ||
 |-
-| Preparing kits / boards etc. || [[User:artag|artag]]
+| Preparing kits / boards etc. (no longer required since using earthshine kit ?)|| [[User:artag|artag]]
+|-
+| Publicity || [[User:chrisf|chrisf]]?
 |-
-| Publicity ||
+| Catering || Clare
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 55: / Line 68: @@
 ==Thoughts on a Lesson Overview==
+===Day 1===
 * Start with a general overview of hacking with respect to art, home automation, circuit bending, etc, presented as a short lecture to introduce the arduino and similar
 ** I did something similar for SkillsMatter/YDN a while ago: http://www.slideshare.net/b3cft/hardware-hacking
 ** culminated in this at the end of the talk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/b3cft/4798503275/
-*** Can you lead the workshop?
 * Go into a setup for people with helpers wandering around making sure the software is installed correctly (java and all that)
 * Pull up some more slides with setup for the basic programs; maybe go with the simple blinking light example
@@ Line 70: / Line 83: @@
 * Indication of how to extend arduino - optional shields, connecting relays, rs232 etc.
 * Once that demo is complete, depending on time, finish with a short lecture on where to get equipment, suppliers, advanced topics and cool things that have been made with Arduino.
-* Sell London Hackspace branded kits
+===Day 2===
+* Develop / complete Day 1 exercises
+* Provide suggestions for small projects
+* Develop attendees' own ideas, assisting design and suggesting solutions to problems
 ==How many?==
@@ Line 76: / Line 94: @@
 ==How much?==
+£100 - Including: Arduino + kit, refreshments, lunch both days and the training
-* How much will it cost per attendee for equipment, plus how much profit we would like?
+£20 discount for members
-* How much will it cost for the parts / equipment?
-* thus, how much shall we charge?
-** I suggest £40-50 is a reasonable amount for an all day workshop -- [[User:ciaran.mooney|Ciarán]]
-*** 2 day workshops (first day for learning, second for making your own project with assistance) are around the £110 mark, not saying we should charge this much, but at £40-50 minus costs for parts is a bit low on profit for the spaces funds --[[User:Solexious|Solexious]]
-*** for previous beginner arduino courses in london see: [http://beginnersarduino21.eventbrite.com/] £140 with kit provided, or: [http://www.mztek.org/http:/www.mztek.org/sinful-machines/] £65 with no kit included --[[User:Solexious|Solexious]]
 ==Kit to go with workshop==
+* http://www.earthshineelectronics.com/10-arduino-duemilanove-compatible-starter-kit.html inc Arduino
+==Equipment needs for workshop==
-* I feel a kit that is given to attendees with the workshop would be fab. I tried to beat the cost of EarthshineElectronics starter kit, but have been unable to, this is even at the regular price, rather than contacting for "Special rates for colleges, schools, universities and training centres." Can anyone do better?
+We will need to ensure we have facilities ready for the workshop to take place
-** http://www.earthshineelectronics.com/10-arduino-duemilanove-compatible-starter-kit.html
-** That's a good price, but it's a VERY good kit. We could perhaps spend less and still provide a reasonable selection. Alternatively, bulk-buy from Earthshine. Note that to get a good selection of cheap parts we'll need to buy from ebay/china - so allow a couple of weeks for delivery, which is too long for the suggested date.
-** I would be put off if the kit cost a minimum of £40! A smaller kit would be preferable, do you think that Earthshine Electronics (or an alternative company) would put together a smaller kit? Seems that Earthshine sell just the Arduino for [http://www.earthshineelectronics.com/14-arduino-duemilanove-roboduino.html| £16], If we could get the kit under £30, then charge £40-50 for an all day workshop. I think we could be in with a winner.
-*** When talking to attendees of previous arduino workshops one thing that keeps coming up is that the kit they were given had lots of things to try out at at home, rather than just what they needed for the workshop, so i'm hesitant to lower the part count on the kit --[[User:Solexious|Solexious]]
-*** That will depend on the target market though  - at Dorkbot, the attendees have been art/design students who want to solve a specific problem, and don't necessarily want to just experiment. They'd really prefer some help building a custom interface and a mixed bag is only ever going to be part-used --[[User:Artag|Artag]] 16:10, 26 July 2010 (UTC)
-**** Do you think this would be the target market for this workshop? I could see this being well worth a separate event, rather than a basic course...--[[User:Solexious|Solexious]]
-* There is an arduino clone developed by our Robotics Society which is incredibly cheap and easy to make. More info on our [http://icrobotics.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Dongleduino wiki]. --[[User:Harry|Harry]] 18:26, 26 July 2010 (UTC)
+* 10 or more clear table places, ideally no more than 2 persons per desk
+* 10 or more acceptable chairs
+* Arduino installer on USB stick in case of network connection problems
+* Spare computers (though I'm assuming attendees will be asked to bring a laptop)
+* Mains power for laptops
+* Power for Arduinos, possibly via USB '' ... PSU included in kit''
+* Components to help attendees build their own ideas ?? Should we ask what they intend, to try to make sure we have useful stuff ?
+* Food
+* Tea / coffee / soft drinks
+* Projector up & working
+* solid-core wire for breadboarding
-* Is it worth buying equipment for more than one workshop, and have another similar workshop planned for 3 months time?
+==Publicity==
-** With courses with 20 places selling out I think we could run this monthly with 10 places each time (initially), bulk buying would depend on if we have the cash to do this, and if that would reduce the cost for kits significantly to justify the risk of over stock... --[[User:Solexious|Solexious]] 12:33, 26 July 2010 (UTC)
---[[Special:Contributions/128.40.76.3|128.40.76.3]] 13:32, 26 July 2010 (UTC)
+{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
+|-
+|'''Channel''' || '''Announced'''
+|-
+| Posters and Flyers ||
+|-
+| Upcoming ||
+|-
+| LHS Mailing List ||
+|-
+| LHS Wiki ||
+|-
+| LHS Website ||
+|-
+| IRC Topic ||
+|-
+| Facebook Event ||
+|-
+| Facebook Annoucement ||
+|-
+| Twitter ||
+|-
+| OSHG Mailing list ||
+|-
+|}
-* Rather than offering a bag of bits, how about a shield with some bits already built on ? We could use stuff we've already got (e.g. I can donate some buttons, pots, light sensors, power transistors etc .. anything I've got a dozen of!) and it makes it more attractive to newbies who have no clue what to do with a bag of resistors.
+[[Category:Workshops]]
-**Suggest what should be on such a board and I'll dig in and see what I've got ! --[[User:Artag|Artag]] 16:11, 26 July 2010 (UTC)
-** This would turn me off if I was learning for the first time, would using a shield limit the possible uses for my kit? (or at least give the impression it would?) --[[User:Solexious|Solexious]] 18:05, 26 July 2010 (UTC)