Basic electronics is how resistor-capacitor-inductor circuits work, along with diodes and the various transistor devices, up to op-amps. Computers have nothing to do with it.
I actually agree that it's a lot _better_ to teach Arduino/coding with some _basic_ electronics concepts involved.
I love tech/electronics so I started from bottom upwards just fine, but I think for many students they'd much prefer "we can connect up these RGB leds to this Arduino and you can learn how to control them, then learn how LEDs and microcontrollers work at a higher level". Then, once they think it's cool and are interested, it's possible to introduce lower and lower level concepts to them.
Starting with resistance/capaticance/inductance/electrons in a wire etc etc is a good starting point but it has the prerequisite of a child already being intensely interested in the subject - all other children are gonna get bored.
But showing them what's it's possible to do "the easy way" first gets them interested, making it a lot easier to hold their interest when explaining how it all works at a lower level.
I think the problem is more that-- assuming a comparable price-- they're probably going to skimp out on the "lower level" stuff in a kit with an Arduino. If you have a perfect timer, you don't need to showcase basic resistor-capacitor timer circuits, or pack a huge bag of related components. If you can define any logic function you want in code, there's no need to discuss wiring 74xx gates to each other.
> I think the problem is more that-- assuming a comparable price-- they're probably going to skimp out on the "lower level" stuff in a kit with an Arduino.
The person I replied to did not mention anything about what was included in the arduino kits, just that they refused to consider them at all.
> If you can define any logic function you want in code, there's no need to discuss wiring 74xx gates to each other.
How is wiring 74xx gates together more or less applicable to basic electronic circuits than an 8bit CPU breakout board?
The focus is on using a computer to interface with sensors, LED displays, etc. Not learning analog circuitry. It doesn't include any capacitors or inductors, for example.
It contains transistors, resistors, LEDs, a bunch of sensors, stepper motors, a couple displays, jumper wires... I don't know why you would want inductors unless you are making a switching power supply or an audio crossover or something. There are capacitor selections you can grab for a few bucks.
Do you think someone would rather learn how to make an LC and then look at it do nothing, or make something that can sense when it is light out and open the curtains? I don't know, dismissing a kit because it interfaces with a computer seems a bit like a 1950s stodgy teacher who will hit a kid with a ruler if they think they are having fun learning.
It's missing capacitors, too. You cannot build RLC circuits without resistors, inductors, and capacitors. Google "RLC circuits" if you don't know what they are. RLC circuits are analogous to mass-spring-damper systems, the math is identical. It's certainly easier to study them with electronics than with building the mechanical equivalent.
> dismissing a kit because it interfaces with a computer
I'm dismissing a kit about interfacing with a computer because the person I want to give it to wants to learn analog electronics, and the analog electronics kits are no longer available.
If you want to learn digital electronics, those computer kits are fine for that. Of course, there is very little math involved with digital electronics, and that appeals to some.
> Google "RLC circuits" if you don't know what they are.
I'm not sure if you are purposefully trying to be insulting, but I want to give the benefit of the doubt so I will chalk it up to poor reading comprehension.
Actually, I remember interacting with you before, and you have consistently spoken to me and others in a similar condescending manner, so I will assume that you know exactly what you are doing.
Well, to teach the principles you just need a pen and some paper and a calculator. Is using a multimeter to measure the output of a circuit 'teaching the product'?
