Raspberry Pi has transformed the world of computing by providing an affordable gateway to various fields like IoT, robotics, and DIY electronics. This compact yet powerful device has opened up new possibilities for diy projects, allowing enthusiasts to create retro gaming consoles, web servers, robots, drones, and home automation systems without burning a hole in their pockets.
Before delving into intricate projects, it’s essential to grasp the basic architecture of Raspberry Pi, understand its operating system, and learn how to program it effectively. That’s why I’ve curated this Best Courses Guide (BCG) for Raspberry Pi beginners.
Drawing from my own learning journey, I’ve compiled a list of the top free online courses to help you kickstart your Raspberry Pi journey and enhance your skills in Linux, Python programming, and hardware interfacing. Whether you’re a complete novice or have some programming experience, this guide is designed to set you on the path to mastering Raspberry Pi.
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What is Raspberry Pi?
Raspberry Pi is a compact, pocket-sized computer capable of running a full operating system – Linux. At its core, Raspberry Pi is powered by a chip similar to those found in smartphones (ARM architecture). This platform supports various Linux-based operating systems, providing a platform for coding, internet connectivity, and server setup.
What sets Raspberry Pi apart is its ability to interact with other electronic components through a series of GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins. This feature enables users to control lights, motors, sensors, and even robots.
Raspberry Pi is ideal for:
- Learning programming and electronics
- Developing home automation systems
- Building retro gaming consoles
- Setting up media centers or network-attached storage
- Powering robotics projects
- Serving as an affordable, always-on computer for various tasks
While Raspberry Pi is incredibly versatile, it’s not designed to replace your primary computer, unless you’re looking to engage in light coding and web browsing. It can also run some old games (fun fact: portable mini arcades have been built using Raspberry Pi), but its capabilities are limited to a certain extent.
Arduino vs Raspberry Pi
Both Arduino and Raspberry Pi offer exciting opportunities for makers and hobbyists, each with unique characteristics suited to different types of projects.
Arduino is a microcontroller board designed for simple, repetitive tasks and direct interaction with sensors and actuators. It’s perfect for projects involving the control of physical objects such as robots, smart home devices, or interactive art installations. Arduino boards are low-power, lack an operating system, and execute a single program continuously. They are beginner-friendly and robust – you can’t “break” an Arduino easily.
On the other hand, Raspberry Pi is a single board computer (SBC) that runs a complete operating system, typically a Linux variant. It offers more processing power than Arduino and can handle complex tasks like web serving, multimedia playback, and basic desktop computing. Raspberry Pi shines in projects that require higher processing power, internet connectivity, or a graphical interface. However, it’s more intricate to set up and operate, necessitating safe shutdown procedures to prevent data corruption.
In simple terms, when selecting between Arduino and Raspberry Pi for your projects, consider:
- If you need to directly control hardware without requiring significant processing power, opt for Arduino
- If your project calls for a more powerful computing platform, especially with multitasking or internet connectivity needs, Raspberry Pi is the preferred choice
Many enthusiasts leverage the strengths of both platforms by using them in tandem for various projects.
Courses Overview
- All courses are free or offer free auditing
- The Raspberry Pi subject has attracted 4.1K learners on Class Central
- Courses featured in this guide have amassed over 803K enrollments and views
- Coursera is the most prominent provider, offering 2 courses
This comprehensive series, taught by Paul McWhorter from toptechboy.com, will walk you through the usage of Raspberry Pi from the very beginning in a step-by-step manner. Paul is a knowledgeable and engaging instructor who produces free learning resources for makers, engineers, and enthusiasts.
Even with no prior experience, you can easily follow along. However, it’s essential to have a Raspberry Pi 4 or higher (version 3 may suffice for most projects), along with a SunFounder Ultimate Raspberry Pi kit containing all the necessary components or a comparable starter kit.
In this course series, you’ll learn:
- Setting up and configuring a Raspberry Pi, covering Linux basics and Python programming
- Understanding and utilizing GPIO pins for various electronic projects
- Working with different sensors and components (e.g., ultrasonic, PIR, DHT-11, LCD displays)
- Developing projects like alarms, temperature monitors, and motion detection systems
- Implementing networking capabilities and remote access to Raspberry Pi
- Utilizing the Raspberry Pi camera with OpenCV for image processing and object tracking
- Creating advanced projects involving face detection and TensorFlow Lite object recognition
- Gaining practical experience with RFID modules and IR proximity sensors
Paul has additional series on his channel that you may want to explore for learning about other platforms:
| Provider | YouTube |
| Channel | Paul McWhorter |
| Instructor | Paul McWhorter |
| Workload | 42 hours |
| Views | 437K |
| Cost | Free |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Challenges |
| Certificate | None |
If you possess basic knowledge but still feel like a beginner, it’s time to level up and embark on custom projects to bridge the gap with this beginner-friendly series.
This specialization, “Powering your Home Projects with Raspberry Pi,” from Johns Hopkins University will guide you through the process of building custom projects using Raspberry Pi. Over four courses, you’ll progress from basic setup to advanced hardware design. While the initial course focuses on Raspberry Pi fundamentals, the subsequent courses delve into critical aspects of home project development.
Throughout the specialization, you’ll learn to:
- Configure a Raspberry Pi and control it over a network
- Work with sensors and motors
- Understand high-speed signal communications
- Design custom printed circuit boards
- Utilize open-source software like QUCS, KiCAD, and FreeCAD for circuit simulation, PCB design, and 3D modeling
This specialization caters to individuals interested in embedded systems, IoT, and home automation. By the end of the courses, you’ll be equipped to develop sophisticated, custom Raspberry Pi projects from conceptualization to physical implementation.
The specialization includes four courses that are free to audit:
- Beginning Custom Projects with Raspberry Pi
- Communications and High-Speed Signals with Raspberry Pi
- Using Sensors With Your Raspberry Pi
- Designing Hardware for Raspberry Pi Projects
“A great course. Covers all that was promised in a practical way, yet without omitting the necessary theoretical background.” – Georg P, Coursera learner
| Provider | Coursera |
| Institution | Johns Hopkins University |
| Instructor | Drew Wilson |
| Workload | 44 hours |
| Enrollment | 2.8K |
| Rating | 4.9 (43) |
| Cost | Free to audit |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Quizzes |
| Certificate | Paid |
If you have a Raspberry Pi 4 or higher, a TV, and a USB game controller lying around, you’re all set to create your very own gaming machine.
RetroPie, a gaming software, runs on top of your operating system and emulates a wide variety of classic games from multiple retro consoles. It includes modern features like achievements, save states, and online multiplayer.
In this tutorial, Chuck and Alex will lead you through the installation process of RetroPie on a Raspberry Pi. You’ll discover how to set up RetroPie step-by-step, starting from preparing the microSD card to configuring controllers and customizing game libraries. The video also showcases advanced functionalities such as cheats and retro achievements, culminating in a demonstration of online play between two Raspberry Pi devices.
Chuck has also provided this guide detailing additional settings for installing RetroPie on Raspberry 5 and the SSH commands for adding ROMs (digital copies of games) to your board.
NetworkChuck offers a wide array of projects using Raspberry Pi, including creating a 3CX PBX phone system at home, setting up dynamic DNS using Cloudflare API, building a supercomputer with a Kubernetes cluster, exploring crypto mining, and setting up a VPN travel router.
| Provider | YouTube |
| Channel | NetworkChuck |
| Instructor | Chuck and Alex |
| Workload | 32 minutes |
| Views | 245K |
| Likes | 7.3K |
| Cost | Free |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | None |
| Certificate | None |
This course from the University of California, Irvine introduces you to the Raspberry Pi platform and Python programming for IoT devices. It’s worth noting that the course primarily focuses on the Raspberry Pi B+ board, which may limit its relevance to the latest hardware iterations. Nevertheless, the foundational concepts remain valuable for beginners.
Designed for individuals new to IoT development and embedded systems, the course imparts practical skills in using integrated development environments (IDEs) and creating graphical user interfaces for Raspberry Pi projects.
Key takeaways from the course include:
- Understanding the functionality of the Raspberry Pi B+ board
- Setting up and configuring the Raspberry Pi
- Exploring the Linux file system and managing processes
- Learning Python basics for Raspberry Pi control
- Utilizing the RPi.GPIO library for pin control
- Creating graphical interfaces with the Tkinter library
“One of the best videos so far in this specialization. More focus on circuit design and GPIO theory would be beneficial. A review of the final project would be helpful as well. It seems that multiple projects reviewed are based on the same video.” – Dennis M, Coursera learner
Random Nerd Tutorials provides an extensive collection of over 30 detailed written tutorials, guides, and projects for Raspberry Pi enthusiasts. Unlike traditional courses, this flexible resource allows you to select projects based on your interests and proficiency level. The tutorials span a broad spectrum of topics, from basic setup to advanced projects, offering in-depth instructions and technical insights for each component. This adaptable approach enables you to learn at your own pace and acquire components as needed for each project.
The resource is completely free, allowing learners to pick projects aligning with their interests and budget for components:
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