raspberry pi's in Classrooms

[RobD]

Hi All,

 

We recently bought 20 Pi's and we struggling to work out how best to wire them into the classroom. We have a suite of computers with DVI monitors which we could use but none of us are keen on letting the students un-cable and re-cable the monitors and PC's every time they class need to use the Pi's. I had thought about installing Raspbian then enabling remote desktop, then allowing the students to RDP to the Pi's but this would mean the kids cant have the Pi on their desk which wouldnt be great if they playing with LED's etc.

 

Any one have any advice or suggestions?

 

Thanks

[Simcfc73]

I am in the same boat, we have had them since September and they haven't been used yet.

 

Our monitors aren't HDMI either so I have bought hdmi to VGA convertors.

 

I also bought a cheap manual vga switcher so they only need to plug into the vga switch. Not ideal but cheaper than new monitors.

 

In theory it should work.

[caffrey]

you can use these to switch USB too (for keyboards and mice) Gembird USB 2.0 Switching Hub Sharing 4 USB Devices Among 2 Users - UHS242 - kenable for HDMI Optical TOS Network Ethernet RJ45 Scart Audio Phono Jack USB Firewire 800 ADSL Cable Leads

 

problem is the wiring gets really messy!

[dhicks]

I had thought about installing Raspbian then enabling remote desktop, then allowing the students to RDP to the Pi's but this would mean the kids cant have the Pi on their desk which wouldnt be great if they playing with LED's etc.

 

If each Raspberry Pi was clearly labled / numbered, could you not just have a specific workstation remote to a specific Raspberry Pi, so the pupil simply remotes the the Raspberry Pi next to them on the desk?

[RobD]

If each Raspberry Pi was clearly labled / numbered, could you not just have a specific workstation remote to a specific Raspberry Pi, so the pupil simply remotes the the Raspberry Pi next to them on the desk?

 

That was my original plan but the Pi's would have to be on a separate desk meaning they wouldn't be as accessible for quick changes. Basically the teacher thought there would be two much "back and forth", I think we'll need KVMs and HDMI to VGA may be the winner. Or I suppose we could use laptops and direct Ethernet to the pi's (wireless to share internet etc).

[vickit]

The Fuze could be your answer, comes with or without the Raspberry Pi so good if you have already invested in these. Easy plug in and go set up , straight into the monitor. Enhances the Pi, makes it a good solution for the classroom. Comes with additional programming language , Fuze BASIC, plus electronics kit , project cards etc. New version also includes analogue in/out. Worth a look at the website. The FUZE | Powered by Raspberry Pi, combines programming and electronics in a fun, motivational and engaging package.

[ReverentCreature]

We are in the same boat and the Raspberry P'is haven't been used yet. So far we have taken children out in groups to work in the corridor with a monitor, power leads and spare keyboards and mice. But our computer suite monitors are DVI so they could be used if they wanted to use them all in one go in the classroom.

[Bev]

We currently VNC into the Raspberry pi. I have each Pi set to a static IP address, and they have to plug in an ethernet cable into the PI, and then they run TightVNC viewer, enter the Static IP (Written on the PI), and they can view the Pi.

 

They have them on their desks, but the wiring isn't ideal. It means we have loose Ethernet cables on the floor when they aren't in use.

 

I've actually come to this thread looking for a cable that will enable us to use our VGA monitors and connect them to both the PCs and the Pi. An added complication being that our monitors are fixed into desks so you can't easily access the back to change cables. It has to be something permanently attached.

[Bev]

Just realised this thread is frorm July 2014, not July 2015! Hopefully, a solution has been found in the intervening year!

[Tesla]

I'd be quite worried if it was from July 2015, because time travel.

[Bev]

Yeah. been a long term.....