Raspberry Jam

Raspberry Jam Community

Country: United Kingdom
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Innovation: Disruptive
Where it happens: Community | Online
Trends: 21st Century Skills | Personalized Learning | Hands-on Learning

Raspberry Jam promotes independent meetings that began in the United Kingdom and subsequently spread throughout the world. These meetings were organized to discuss and practice the use of Raspberry Pi computers, which are devices that are the size of a credit card, are inexpensive, and can be used to program and develop concepts in the field of computer science.

Country: United Kingdom
Visit Website
Innovation: Disruptive
Where it happens: Community | Online
Trends: 21st Century Skills | Personalized Learning | Hands-on Learning

Raspberry Jam promotes independent meetings that began in the United Kingdom and subsequently spread throughout the world. These meetings were organized to discuss and practice the use of Raspberry Pi computers, which are devices that are the size of a credit card, are inexpensive, and can be used to program and develop concepts in the field of computer science.

Country: United Kingdom
Visit Website

Problem: The introduction of remuneration based on performance for teachers in the United Kingdom and the publication of the results of student exams elevated the emphasis on testing within traditional education centers. Shools began to value results more than the development of more meaningful traits, such as creativity and innovation. This type of learning puts a premium on individual grades, whereas, in the real world, success is reached through teamwork. In addition, traditional academic methods downplay the importance of disciplines that develop creativity, such as computing. Professor Alan O'Donohoe, who became interested in improving the knowledge of his students in the field of computing, organized, in May 2012, an event called Raspberry Jam. The idea was to bring together people that used the Raspberry Pi computer to discuss the academic potential of this device. The computer, which is the size of a credit card and connects to a computer monitor or TV and operates with a standard mouse or keyboard, was launched in February 2012 by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the United Kingdom. The objective was to teach children and adults alike about computer science and programming. There are two versions of the computer. The first version, known as model A, is simpler and costs US$ 25; the other version, model B, costs US$ 35.




Solutions: Raspberry Jam is a global community and is independent from other events that are geared towards Raspberry Pi computer enthusiasts. At those events, the learning process is rather alternative and collaborative, the focus being on the development of STEM skills, an acronym which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Creative problem solving with the Raspberry Pi computer, especially that which can engross and inspire people of all ages and levels of expertise, such as professors and families, is what the event emphasizes. Participants also use these meetings not only to share knowledge, skills and their creations, so that everyone can benefit from the experience, but also to inspire new projects and ideas, whose innovations can be presented at future events. Workshops on computing and electronics are offered, as well as project exhibitions and trade fairs. Anyone can organize or participate in such events.

The project website also offers tips and a question and answer session that help interested parties organize such meetings anywhere in the world. The first occurred in the city of Manchester, in the United Kingdom, on June 9, 2012. After that event, the idea spread to other English cities and other countries, such as the United States, Australia, France, Spain and Germany. The monthly events that occur in Manchester, for example, focus on the collaborative creation of projects that use the Raspberry Pi computer. Approximately 50 groups participate every month. In Cambridge, the CamJam event is held quarterly. These meetings, which usually host 200 participants, are a mixture of practical workshops, technical lectures and trade fairs.




Outcomes: These events became so successful that the Raspberry Pi Foundation, which developed the computer and had nothing whatsoever to do with the creation of Raspberry Jam, decided to host information about these meetings, including their yearly schedule, on its own website. Interested communities can organize their own events independently around the world. Projects that were developed at Raspberry Jam events have made the groups that produced them successful within their fields. Shared ideas and resources began to be added to the curriculum of elementary schooling in the United Kingdom. Participation in the events helped people to change the course of their careers. The project intends to improve the quality of these events and increase their frequency and accessibility, thereby encouraging more people to create their own events.