Free Raspberry Pi microcomputers to encourage students to study computer science

Google and the RasPberry Pi Foundation are donating 15,000 free microcomputers to schools around the United Kingdom, to encourage more students to endeavour a career in computer science.

The initiative is being taken due to the current concern that teaching of information and communications technology is not preparing students in the most adequate way for the future.

In fact, the Raspberry PI cofounder, Eben Upton said that the initiative could help stopping the declining number of students who are applying to read computer science at university. In the last years, the number of people applying for computer science at undergraduate level decreased by 23% while those at graduate level decreased by 34%.

Google and Raspberry Pi have joined other six educational partners, who are assisting them in the implementation of this initiative.

Google’s Chairman, Eric Schmidt was quoted saying that as it happened in the past, when British innovators changed the world by inventing the telephone, the television and computers, it is now again time that a new wave of innovators is encouraged to do the same.

However, this initiative was questioned by competitors and critics alike, who were not sure if Google should assume such a role, being that it is a large corporation. The National Union of Teachers said that schools are being used for marketing by large companies who undermine the educators’ efforts to educate students about the dangers of manipulation and commercial exploitation.

Google’s competitor, Microsoft also called for a change in the way computer science is taught in the United Kingdom, suggesting that it should be introduced at primary school level to increase the chance of having a larger number of students who take the subject at degree level and build a career with it. As part of the Welsh Government’s digital strategy for healthcare, patients will have the possibility to consult with their doctors through their mobile devices, while monitoring their health conditions through mobile apps.

The five-year strategy aims at putting digital technology at the centre of the National Healthcare System. It will enable users to access their medical records on the internet, while permitting them to book appointments online. At the same time, the medical staff will be using their mobile devices to access their patients’ data and to get back to them in a timely manner.

The strategy wants to deliver four specific facilities, which are namely online connectivity; access to medical records; smart digital technologies which can enable patients to manage their own health and notifications which remind patients about medications or exercises that they need to remember about.

To encourage the use of such services, all the hospitals in Wales will be offering free Wi-Fi services for both patients and staff.

The strategy has been described as exciting but challenging at the same time, because it will involve a lot of different organisation who will have to work together.