Online mathematics assessment (OMA) could help improve the mathematics performance of deaf and hard-of-hearing learners in South Africa.

This is one of the key findings of a new study at Stellenbosch University (SU).

“OMAs can help deaf and hard-of-hearing learners to understand difficult mathematical concepts and provide them with equal opportunities to do well in formal mathematics assessments,” says Dr Nolan Damon who is a mathematics teacher and ‎blended-learning designer and trainer from Worcester. He recently obtained his doctorate in Curriculum Studies at Stellenbosch University.

Damon investigated the use of OMAs as an alternative form of assessment to current pencil and paper-based mathematics assessments which do not provide deaf and hard-of-hearing learners with a fair chance to showcase what they have learnt.

“Deaf and hard-of-hearing learners perform poorly in mathematics pencil and paper assessments because they struggle to read and understand written texts and to interpret mathematics questions posed in Afrikaans or English since neither Afrikaans nor English is their home language,” says Damon.

He adds that since these learners communicate through Sign Language, they struggle partly because of the difference between the structure and grammar of Afrikaans/English and Sign Language, the absence of a mathematics vocabulary in Sign Language, and their limited language skills.

Learners’ understanding of mathematical functions

As part of his research, Damon designed OMAs for Grade 8 learners at a school for the deaf and hard of hearing in the Western Cape. Apart from Damon and the learners, an interpreter was also involved in this study.

Damon used a quiz module in Moodle, which is a free and widely used open-source software package, as well as two mathematic software plugins (components that adds a specific feature to an existing computer programme) to test the learners’ understanding of mathematical functions which are crucial in our everyday lives. Moodle quizzes can be used for, among others, exams preparation, continuous assessments, and to measure learners’ understanding of content knowledge.

Damon says his experience as a teacher of mathematics to deaf and hard-of-hearing learners has shown that they struggle to understand mathematics concepts, in this case the function concept.

“Testing their understanding of mathematical functions is important because deaf students, for example, don’t hear or understand that fruit, meat or vegetables are sold per kilogram. They know the sign for it, but they find it difficult to grasp that if I pay R4, 00 for 2kg apples, the functional relationship can be applied to more bags of apples, etc.” 

The Moodle quiz tested, among others, the ability of learners to determine rules for patterns and functional relationships using flow diagrams, tables, formulae and equations in line with the current National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement for Grade 7-9.

Damon observed the learners while they were completing the quizzes as part of the OMA to record their interactions with it. Apart from documenting their experience with the OMA, the learners were also interviewed by an interpreter about the possible advantages and disadvantages of the OMA. Damon then used this information to make adjustments to the OMA based on the learners’ feedback.

“Not only did the learners find it easier to do online quizzes as opposed to pencil and paper-based assessment, but the inclusion of a Glossary within these quizzes made it possible to have immediate access to difficult words and phrases.”

Damon points out that although the learners initially experienced difficulties with the OMA, their scores improved after a few adjustments were made to it.

“All the learners passed the test with marks above 60% and three learners obtained a score of 100%.  Since an improvement in test scores are directly linked to an increase in the learners’ understanding, it can be argued that due to modifications to the OMA, their knowledge based on the function concept improved.”

Multimedia can enhance the learning process

Damon says each question within the OMA included an icon which the learners could click on for a video example to experience the mathematics concept that needed to be conveyed and to be guided through questioning. He adds that these 'help' features were extremely useful especially with the limited Sign Language concept vocabulary at hand.

“The study highlighted the value of incorporating multimedia such as videos, images, simulations, interactive content and other graphics within the OMA because deaf and hard-of-hearing learners are dependent on visual imagery for learning. These multimedia can reduce the cognitive load of interpreting texts and also enhance the learning process for these learners.”

“This is important because signs for concepts in mathematics are non-existent which makes it tough to translate these ideas via Sign Language without losing the essence of the math concepts.”Damon says the OMA allows learners to use smart phones, tablets and laptops to take the assessment.  

“Sign Language can be incorporated within the OMA with ease which means these learners will be provided with assessments in their Home Language.”

“This OMA can assist these learners in their understanding of difficult concepts and can make their studies so much better if they have access to subject content in their own language, i.e. Sign Language.”“It also allows the teacher to create online assessments, and the computer captures the learners’ answers, scores it and provides immediate feedback to students.”

Damon adds that the OMA might also provide mathematics teachers with insights into the cognitive processes of deaf and hard-of-hearing learners while doing mathematics.

For the OMA to have the desired outcome teachers and deaf learners have to receive training in how to use Moodle, and software plugins such as GeoGebra, WIRIS, says Damon.

He adds that the OMA principles can also be used for Languages, Science and any other subject and universities can also benefit from his research.

Tektronix range of digital storage oscilloscopes shows 50% more signal for applications in design, test, and debugging 

Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 August, 2017 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, has introduced the Tektronix TBS2000 series of digital storage oscilloscopes. The TBS2000 captures and displays significantly more signal than competitive units, as it offers 10 vertical and 15 horizontal divisions rather than the eight vertical and 10 horizontal divisions typically provided by most oscilloscopes.  

The series also offers dedicated controls that provide quick access to important settings enabling better and faster evaluation of designs. The range targets engineers, technicians and scientists in industrial, academic, and research and development environments. Applications include circuit debugging and testing in the manufacturing and radio broadcast equipment areas. The series is designed for easy operation and quick hands-on learning and comes with a 9-inch WVGA colour display that offers more room for measurement results and menu information.

The sophisticated product also enables enhanced signal analysis with new on-waveform cursor readouts and 32 automated measurements, each with informative tips to help choose the right option quickly, as well as an FFT function for thorough waveform analysis. The TBS2000 also features a 20 million point record length on all channels and a sampling rate of up to 1GS/s.  The instrument's TekVPI probe interface supports active, differential and current probes with automatic scaling and units, and works with traditional BNC connections, but also enables wide application coverage with the latest active voltage probes and current probes.

Other features of the TBS2000 series include: USB2.0 ports on the front and rear panels for quick and easy data storage and connection to a PC; a Wi-Fi interface for wireless communications; and an LXI-compliant 10/100Base-T Ethernet port for remote control via a LAN. The TBS2072 unit in the series is supplied with a 100MHz 10x passive probe (one per analogue channel), documentation CD with programmer manual, installation and safety manual, power cord, calibration certificate documenting traceability to National Metrology Institute(s) and ISO9001 quality system registration.

Replacement probes are also available, as well as other compatible probes including high-voltage passive, differential voltage, high-voltage differential, active voltage and current probes. Other accessories include the TekVPI to TekProbe BNC adapter, soft transit case, and GPIB-to-USB adapter. The Tektronix TBS2000 series is now available from RS Components. 

-Ends-  

About RS Components 

RS Components is the market leader in the high service level distribution of electrical, electronic, mechanical, tools and industrial products. Operating in 26 countries whilst serving a further 100 through third-party distributors, RS serves every sector of industry in the procurement of their products relating to maintenance, repair, operations, low volume production, research and development.   

With over 500 000 products across 2500 leading brands, the company is committed to ensuring that their 1,5 million customers have fast access to a broad, as well as deep range, of products and technologies, all under one roof. RS’s customers, whether ordering single or multiple items, experience a quick, easy, secure, painless and cost effective process. 

The RS catalogue, available at za.rs-online.com, offers full colour pictures with extensive clear product specifications.  Free access to thousands of datasheets ensures the correct product choice.  Order placement is easily facilitated through za.rs-online.com, the call centre, e-mail, fax and trade counter. 

Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products held internationally, within four to six working days.    

It is proven that departments traditionally spend 80% of their time sourcing products that account for only 20% of their total procurement spend. RS is focussed on reducing the customers “total cost of product ownership” by reducing the need to make multiple calls to various companies to source products, reducing supplier related administration and allowing for the amalgamation as well as consolidation of supplier bases. 

Through this process, procurement efficiency is improved and time is freed up to concentrate on the more important business decisions. 

For more information, please visit the website at za.rs-online.com  

Press Office
Le-andra Olivier
PR and Communications Specialist
RS Components South Africa
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+27 11 691 9345 

Further information is available via these links

• Twitter: @rsonline_SA; @DesignSparkRS
• Facebook: facebook.com/rssouthafrica/RS Components on
• LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/rscoms 

Relevant Links
RSProRS Components South Africa
www.electrocomponents.com
DesignSpark Magazine - http://www.designspark.com

CAPE TOWN21 E – First Floor, Bellville Mall, Corner Voortrekker & Bill Bezuidenhout Street Bellville, Cape Town,South Africa www.cadcollege.co.za Phone: 021 848 0742Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Why the acquisition of a multi-disciplined Draughting qualification and certification is a giant leap in the pursuit of careers in CAD design industries?

The globalization of competitive markets, designs and technological capabilities, is now a master trend. As the effects of a sloppy global economy persistently filters into the property markets, the architectural draughtsman and technologists is struggling to find a firm footing, but the doors of industries are continually swinging wide open for multi-disciplined draughting qualifications.

This qualification imparts learners with skills in advanced CAD on up-to-date 2D, 3D and BIM draughting software enabling competency to the qualified learner thus creating more opportunities for employment that is in high demand .and making the qualified learner in demand and highly employable.The qualification embraces all the diverse disciplines of draughting such as Architecture, Mechanical, Structural, Surveying, Automotive Engineering Design, HVAC Design, Piping and Plant design, as well as Future Designs, to name a few.

Multi-Disciplined draughting is the most advantageous qualification, and certificate holders are highly sought after in the CAD design and technical drawings industry.

CAD4ALL Career & Design College offers a 2-year accredited qualification in Multi-disciplinary Draughting, which is CAD1 and CAD 2 on our product offering. This qualification together with the international certification exams offered can be completed at CAD4ALL which will allow the learner to be employable globally. Designs are practical inputs of everyday decision-making. Professionally, design refers to the process of interacting and shaping the contents of an environment. A designer invents and explores, deploying the understanding of the relations between diverse forms of designing.

These entail considerations that border on aesthetics, utility, political and socioeconomic issues. A golden thread that runs into all design work originates from the fact that they all share a similar cultural conditioning at all times; all designs are inherently interlocked in one another. This necessitates a seamless curative experience as a designer transition from one sphere to another. Growth in a specific discipline improves upon the general designs nous.

The design process is borne out of research and knowledge, customized by the judgment and idiosyncrasy of the designer. This fact is deeply ingrained in the order of all the disciplines, a cornerstone in the exploration of multifarious fields. A distinctive trait of the typical designer is the tendency toward the application of solid positive and procedural knowledge. Positive knowledge consists of the vital elements and terminologies that the designer must acquaint with in order to solve problems in a discipline. Subject specific methods and skills, as well as the capacity for deciphering appropriate conditions for the application of a procedure, all count as procedural knowledge.

It is essential for designers to be able to competently conceive the integration of the basic elements into a complex web, which synthesizes the principles and models of specific disciplines into a functioning whole. It is a known as conceptual knowledge.The implication of this is a common language which makes for an ease of translation between disciplines.

The Multi-Disciplinary Draughting National Certificate ranks as the best and most widely accepted qualification for draughtsman in over 30 industries. It also lends all the per-requisites for any extended draughtsman study. It gives the learner an exposure to the fundamentals of draughting, and also to the draughting software tools peculiar to various disciplines such as Architecture, Mechanics and many more. The validity of this qualification is recognized both locally and internationally, galvanizing its employ-ability. CAD4ALL Career & Design college is a Bellville, Cape Town based, accredited private college.

Our mission is to offer accredited national and international professional qualifications to students who are empowered to become creative and adaptable contributors in the society. Students are introduced to career pathways in-demand academic qualifications. 

Edtech startup aims to make STEAM lessons more engaging with new functionalities. Available exclusively from RS Components 

Johannesburg, South Africa, 1 August 2017 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, launches the new pi-topPULSE from pi-top, the makers of the world’s most affordable Raspberry Pi based computer. The sleek, HAT compatible, pi-top add-on board functions as a high-end Raspberry Pi Speaker, features a vivid LED matrix and includes an inbuilt microphone that integrates to give you your very own interactive Raspberry Pi assistant. 

The pi-topPULSE is an integrated solution for music, lights and sound that can be used by makers, students and educators alike. Measuring only 60x67mm, it’s easy to transport and deploy in any classroom. It can be used both as an add-on for pi-top or pi-topCEED, and additionally as a HAT for the Raspberry Pi 3. Useful in projects as a LED array, speaker and microphone, the pi-topPULSE can be used for games, to listen to music, sample music recordings and be programmed as a voice controlled Raspberry Pi.  

Jesse Lozano, Co-Founder of pi-top explains, “Although children love technology, there is often a difficulty when it comes to keeping them engaged for long periods of time without an interactive and creative based exercise. Therefore, the inclusion of Art within STEAM is vital. Arts encourage the development of visual-spatial skills, an increased practice in problem solving, and collaboration as kids contribute to creative projects.

Aiding in this pi-topPULSE adds a depth of perseverance, focus and creativity to the classroom.” Suitable for beginners and experts alike, the pi-topPULSE is a fun, educational tool that helps bring the Arts into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) projects with added visual and creative elements. pi-topPULSE offers a plethora of projects across the board, including classic games such as Snake, which can be easily programmed and brought to life. 

Dr. Kerry Freedman, Head of Art and Design Education at Northern Illinois University says, “Children need to know more about the world than just what they can learn through text and numbers. Art education teaches students how to interpret, criticize, and use visual information, and how to make choices based on it.” The pi-topPULSE’s key features include;  7x7 RGB LED matrix array, speaker and microphone Fully HAT-compatible - can be mounted on top of a standalone Raspberry Pi 3, or used inside the pi-top module rail like a normal add-on board Comes fully assembled and ready to go - includes magnetic stand-offs that can be added to the Raspberry Pi if used as a HAT A suite of python libraries is provided to make usage simple and easy - lots of example programs, demos and pi-top lesson plans (pi-topOS only) available to get you started with the LEDs, speaker and microphone Integration with Amazon Alexa a cloud-based voice control pi-topPULSE is exclusively available from RS Components http://www.rsonline.co.za Rob Maycroft, Global Product Manager at RS Components, says: “The pi-topPULSE is an exciting new addition to the growing family of products that augment the powerful capabilities of the Raspberry Pi.

This new innovative board combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics education with the arts, delivering an all-in-one portable solution for music, light and sound for use in the classroom and elsewhere.”  

 -Ends-  

About pi-top

Created in 2014 by two friends crowdfunded on Indiegogo, pi-top is a rapidly growing company, revolutionising the education sphere with coding, computing and hands on experience with hardware. Using Raspberry Pi Technology and making it easily deployed, the pi-top teaches people how to programme languages such as scratch and Python, and also teaches its users to get hands-on constructing their laptops or desktops from purchase.  pi-top simplifies use of the Raspberry Pi for makers and educators and has grown into a world-leading platform that enhances learning for children across the world. It gives educators a well-rounded tool to teach complex STEAM subjects to students in an effective and engaging way with great hardware and revolutionary software suite, pi-topOS. To learn more about pi-top please visit: https://pi-top.com/  

About RS Components 

RS Components is the market leader in the high service level distribution of electrical, electronic, mechanical, tools and industrial products. Operating in 26 countries whilst serving a further 100 through third-party distributors, RS serves every sector of industry in the procurement of their products relating to maintenance, repair, operations, low volume production, research and development.   

With over 500 000 products across 2500 leading brands, the company is committed to ensuring that their 1,5 million customers have fast access to a broad, as well as deep range, of products and technologies, all under one roof. RS’s customers, whether ordering single or multiple items, experience a quick, easy, secure, painless and cost effective process. 

The RS catalogue, available at za.rs-online.com, offers full colour pictures with extensive clear product specifications.  Free access to thousands of datasheets ensures the correct product choice.  Order placement is easily facilitated through za.rs-online.com, the call centre, e-mail, fax and trade counter.  Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products held internationally, within four to six working days.    

It is proven that departments traditionally spend 80% of their time sourcing products that account for only 20% of their total procurement spend. RS is focussed on reducing the customers “total cost of product ownership” by reducing the need to make multiple calls to various companies to source products, reducing supplier related administration and allowing for the amalgamation as well as consolidation of supplier bases.  Through this process, procurement efficiency is improved and time is freed up to concentrate on the more important business decisions.  For more information, please visit the website at za.rs-online.com  

Press Office
Le-andra Olivier
PR and Communications Specialist
RS Components South Africa
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+27 11 691 9345 

Further information is available via these links

• Twitter: @rsonline_SA; @DesignSparkRS
• Facebook: facebook.com/rssouthafrica/RS Components on
• LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/rscoms 

Relevant Links
RSPro
RS Components South Africa
www.electrocomponents.com
DesignSpark Magazine - http://www.designspark.com

73 early childhood development (ECD) centres in Nelson Mandela Bay’s developing communities that received intervention from Early Inspiration across 2016/17 reflected an average of 15% improvement in terms of centre compliance at post-assessment.

“124 passionate, dedicated practitioners from Nelson Mandela Bay, that work or volunteer in ECD centres and grade R classrooms took part in our level two skills programme," remarks Early Inspiration MD, Dr Lauren Stretch. "Each underwent a stringent selection process and participated in a holistic programme to improve their skills to improve the development of children under their care."

Each

• attended a range of training modules
• received on-site visits
• had extensive evaluations
• mentorship sessions in their ECD centre
• and completed a portfolio of evidence which includes formative and summative assessment tasks, testing knowledge and understanding, as well as implementation of the skills learnt.

Early Inspiration’s intervention across Nelson Mandela Bay provided support and capacitation of ECD Centre principals and practitioners to keep them up to date on trends, strategies, policies and new opportunities for professional development.

Class and child assessments

Work didn't just end with assessing ECD centres. Early Inspiration evaluated children who attend the schools whose teachers participated in the programme to measure the development and direct benefits of the intervention. "We used a control group as a comparison mechanism, so we have a benchmark to compare the ‘norm' vs. Early Inspiration impacted-centres," adds Dr Stretch. "Provincially, the greatest element of growth in child during the course of the year for the children under the care of programme educators, was cognitive development. The results are a great reflection of the improvement in the development of the brain and an accurate reflection of the remarkable impact that quality, intentional intervention can have on young children."  

Home visit support programme

Through the child assessments, at-risk children were identified to provide one-on-one interventions which are child-specific and meets the identified need. Home visits adopt a non-centre based approach to intervention where education not only happens in the ECD centre but also that parents are capacitated on understanding their children's brain growth, needs and way of learning. This intervention provides additional support and offers parents training and development which aids their children. “The six-month home visit programme focusses on one-on-one support and stimulation to assist children in becoming developmentally-appropriate and achieve age-related goals," says Dr Stretch. Post-programme, the children who were at risk, made significant improvements with 79% of the children scoring between 81 and 100% at post-assessment.

For in-depth insight and further information, please review the report here.

Targeting embedded systems designers developing industrial applications, the new Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Module offers quad-core processing power 

Johannesburg, South Africa, 15 June, 2017 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, today announced the latest version of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module, based on the Raspberry Pi 3 architecture.

Designed for professional engineers to develop embedded systems, the new Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Module (CM3) fits into a standard DDR2 SODIMM socket and provides the same basic processing capabilities as the Raspberry Pi 3. In common with the Raspberry Pi 3, CM3 incorporates a 64-bit Broadcom BCM2837 application processor, built around an ARM Cortex-A53 quad-core processor running at up to 1.2GHz, and 1GB of LPDDR2 RAM.

It provides 4GB of on-board eMMC Flash storage, and retains an identical pin-out to the original Compute Module (CM1). In addition, RS are stocking the new low-cost Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Module Lite (CM3L). This includes the BCM2837 application processor and 1GB RAM, but has no on-board Flash storage.

Developers can provide an eMMC device or SD card socket on their application-specific base board. Like its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Module is designed for integration into industrial-type applications. One example is the range of next-generation large-format displays from NEC.

These integrate a socket for an optional Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Module, and are designed for use in brightly lit public spaces such as schools, offices, shops and railway stations. The Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Module can also be purchased from RS as part of a development kit, bundled together with the Compute Module IO Board.

This simple, open-source, development board brings out all of the IO connectivity of CM1, CM3 or CM3L to pin headers and flexi connectors, and allows the developer to program on-board eMMC Flash over USB. It serves as a prototyping platform, and as a starting point for the development of application-specific base boards. “Our initiative to extend the deployment possibilities of the Raspberry Pi has already been a huge success, with many innovative applications being developed based on our first Compute Module,” said Eben Upton of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

“We expect that this more powerful second-generation device, in conjunction with existing ecosystem resources including software and accompanying hardware, will enable further penetration into industrial markets.” “The introduction of this new version Compute Module shows strong commitment from the Raspberry Pi Foundation to the industrial arena, moving beyond the platform’s original mission as an educational programming tool,” said Rob Maycroft, Global Product Manager for Raspberry Pi at RS.

“Embedded system designers can draw from the resources of the extensive Raspberry Pi community and build upon the enhanced processing capabilities of the Raspberry Pi 3 to develop exciting new applications.”  The Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Module and associated development kit and companion board is now available from RS Components. For more information on Raspberry Pi products available from RS, visit: http://za.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi   

 -Ends-  

About RS Components

RS Components is the market leader in the high service level distribution of electrical, electronic, mechanical, tools and industrial products. Operating in 26 countries whilst serving a further 100 through third-party distributors, RS serves every sector of industry in the procurement of their products relating to maintenance, repair, operations, low volume production, research and development.   

With over 500 000 products across 2500 leading brands, the company is committed to ensuring that their 1,5 million customers have fast access to a broad, as well as deep range, of products and technologies, all under one roof. RS’s customers, whether ordering single or multiple items, experience a quick, easy, secure, painless and cost effective process.  The RS catalogue, available at za.rs-online.com, offers full colour pictures with extensive clear product specifications. 

Free access to thousands of datasheets ensures the correct product choice.  Order placement is easily facilitated through za.rs-online.com, the call centre, e-mail, fax and trade counter.  Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products held internationally, within four to six working days.    

It is proven that departments traditionally spend 80% of their time sourcing products that account for only 20% of their total procurement spend. RS is focussed on reducing the customers “total cost of product ownership” by reducing the need to make multiple calls to various companies to source products, reducing supplier related administration and allowing for the amalgamation as well as consolidation of supplier bases. 

Through this process, procurement efficiency is improved and time is freed up to concentrate on the more important business decisions.  For more information, please visit the website at za.rs-online.com  

Press Office:                                                                       

Le-andra Olivier

PR and Communication Specialist

RS Components South Africa

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

+27 11 691 9345 

Further information is available via these links:

Twitter: @RSNewsSA; @RSElectronics; designsparkRS

Facebook: facebook.com/RSSouthAfricaRS Components on LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/rscoms    

Relevant Links:

RSPro

RS Components South Africawww.electrocomponents.com

DesignSpark Magazine - http://www.designspark.comwww.redrobot.co.za 

CTC 101 Education Kit, available from RS Components, offers hands-on innovative training in electronics, programming and mechatronics 

Johannesburg, South Africa, 15 June, 2017 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, has announced the availability of the Arduino CTC 101 Education Kit, which is a complete e-learning platform enabling young students to learn the fundamentals of electronics, programming and mechatronics.

The CTC 101 kit has been designed for teachers and other instructors working in education and is specially tailored for the 13 to 17 age group at secondary schools. Each kit includes enough electronic components for a class of 24 students and a teacher. Today, Arduino is one of the most popular open-source electronics platforms.

Initiated in 2005, the Arduino project targeted the development of low-cost and easy-to-use hardware and software that could be used by non-engineers or simply anyone new to electronics that was interested in creating digital electronic projects.  Building upon this foundation, the Arduino Education programme was set up to empower educators with the necessary hardware and software tools to create a more hands-on and innovative learning experience.

As a major element of the initiative, the CTC, or Creative Technologies in the Classroom, is Arduino’s one-of-a-kind STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programme for upper secondary education.  

The CTC enables the introduction of students to the fundamentals of programming, electronics and mechatronics through a series of well-documented projects and easy-to-assemble experiments. Training for the programme is available online and through a combination of recorded lectures, support materials and Q&A forums, via Arduino. Specifically, the CTC 101 kit supports programming and mechatronics with five themed modules and offers more than 25 hands-on experiments.

All the parts in the kit are completely reusable, thereby enabling experiments to be reconfigured in endless combinations and further developed for more advanced students and projects. Each CTC 101 kit includes enough electronic components for a class of 24 students and a teacher.

It includes: six Genuino 101 programmable microcontroller boards; six Arduino Education Shields; a set of sensors and actuators; component modules; breadboards; a wide selection of electronic components, connectors and wires; plus other elements such as servo motors, USB cable, wheels and bearings, batteries and power modules. Initially, the CTC 101 is exclusively available from RS at http://za.rs-online.com/web/p/processor-microcontroller-development-kits/1271382/  

-Ends-  

About RS Components 

RS Components is the market leader in the high service level distribution of electrical, electronic, mechanical, tools and industrial products. Operating in 26 countries whilst serving a further 100 through third-party distributors, RS serves every sector of industry in the procurement of their products relating to maintenance, repair, operations, low volume production, research and development.   

With over 500 000 products across 2500 leading brands, the company is committed to ensuring that their 1,5 million customers have fast access to a broad, as well as deep range, of products and technologies, all under one roof. RS’s customers, whether ordering single or multiple items, experience a quick, easy, secure, painless and cost effective process.  The RS catalogue, available at za.rs-online.com, offers full colour pictures with extensive clear product specifications. 

Free access to thousands of datasheets ensures the correct product choice.  Order placement is easily facilitated through za.rs-online.com, the call centre, e-mail, fax and trade counter.  Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products held internationally, within four to six working days.  

 It is proven that departments traditionally spend 80% of their time sourcing products that account for only 20% of their total procurement spend. RS is focussed on reducing the customers “total cost of product ownership” by reducing the need to make multiple calls to various companies to source products, reducing supplier related administration and allowing for the amalgamation as well as consolidation of supplier bases. 

Through this process, procurement efficiency is improved and time is freed up to concentrate on the more important business decisions. 

For more information, please visit the website at za.rs-online.com 

Press Office:                                                                       

Le-andra Olivier

PR and Communication Specialist

RS Components South Africa

LThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

+27 11 691 9345 

Further information is available via these links:

Twitter: @RSNewsSA; @RSElectronics; designspark RS Facebook: facebook.com/RSSouthAfrica RS Components on LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/rscoms 

Relevant Links: 

RSProRS Components South Africawww.electrocomponents.comDesignSpark Magazine - http://www.designspark.comwww.redrobot.co.za 

Laser devices are increasingly being used for prototyping, model making, tool marking and in-house FabLabs.

In FabLabs, Maker Spaces, universities or schools, Trotec laser machines are used for model making, industrial design, prototype construction, in research, and in many other DIY projects. The amazing and inspiring designs that laser technology offers are also ideal for product development.

Drawings and designs can be sent directly from the CAD or graphics program to the laser. 

Why a laser?

The laser cutter is THE tool in digital production. In addition to the variety of materials that are processed in FabLabs, universities or schools, finest geometries can be produced with the highest precision. Laser cutting gives users complete freedom for developing and implementing ideas.

In recent years, the trend has been that more and more flatbed lasers are being used in in-house training centers. The trainees or apprentices should be trained with as many modern and digital tools as possible. They will subsequently become innovators when it comes to new production methods.

Here, flatbed lasers are hugely important and flexible tools, which are extremely popular among young colleagues. In addition, there are more and more Mini FabLabs, well-equipped creative centers within industrial companies, which are used to give development departments as much freedom as possible to develop and implement new materials, production methods and all other possible ideas.

Contact Trotec South Africa for more information here: www.troteclaser.co.za

New PLCs, programmer and display add to impressive Barth product portfolio 

Johannesburg, South Africa, 24 May, 2017 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, has just updated its mini-PLC range from highly innovative controller manufacturer Barth Elektronik. The new product introductions, for which RS is the exclusive global distributor, include three new mini-PLCs, a new parameter programmer and a touchscreen display. 

The three new mini-PLCs are based on a 32-bit ARM® Cortex® processor, which offers a significant step change in performance. Programming is via the established miCon-L software, as well as allowing open source C-programming with the KEIL® µVision software suite. All PLCs exhibit 10 I/O and a CAN interface that allows communication with external devices. The STG-800 offers three 0 to 30 VDC analogue inputs with a 12-bit ADC, a 25 KHz-input event counter, a 40 µs-input pulse and frequency counter, four solid-state power outputs (up to 1.5 A) and a 16-bit 1 Hz to 25 kHz power PWM output.

The STG-810 model adds an IrDA (Infrared) comms port, for communication with the new PG-65 parameter programmer. Finally, the STG-820 offers the same as the STG-810, but offers analogue output instead of PWM. The mini-PLCs provide hardware-oriented microcontroller programming at the lowest current consumption in a small form factor and are ideal for a range of applications including: industrial and building automation, automotive and maritime technology, technical education/university, and large electrical goods.

All three PLCs come with connectors and are complemented by open source templates, the miCon-L software suite and manuals and sample programs, which can all be downloaded. The new PG-65 parameter programmer can be connected via CANbus or IrDA to the PLCs and can be used to activate or deactivate programs or upload new parameters to easily adjust I/O settings without the need for a computer. Its 2.4 inch 240 x 320 colour touchscreen display, rugged design, aluminium die-cast housing and intuitive graphical menu makes it ideal for field service use.

The DMA-20 offers the same functionality as the PG-65 parameter programmer, but with an IP65 (splash proof) touchscreen display. Many industrial controllers are often over specified, which results in additional expenditure, steeper learning curves and over complication. The mini-PLC range from Barth on the other hand delivers a best-fit solution for a whole range of smaller applications that simply do not require overly powerful PLCs. These new products and others from the Barth range can be found exclusively on the RS website [http://za.rs-online.com/web/b/barth/].  

-Ends-  

About RS Components 

RS Components is the market leader in the high service level distribution of electrical, electronic, mechanical, tools and industrial products. Operating in 26 countries whilst serving a further 100 through third-party distributors, RS serves every sector of industry in the procurement of their products relating to maintenance, repair, operations, low volume production, research and development.   

With over 500 000 products across 2500 leading brands, the company is committed to ensuring that their 1,5 million customers have fast access to a broad, as well as deep range, of products and technologies, all under one roof. RS’s customers, whether ordering single or multiple items, experience a quick, easy, secure, painless and cost effective process.  The RS catalogue, available at za.rs-online.com, offers full colour pictures with extensive clear product specifications. 

Free access to thousands of datasheets ensures the correct product choice.  Order placement is easily facilitated through za.rs-online.com, the call centre, e-mail, fax and trade counter.  Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products held internationally, within four to six working days.    

It is proven that departments traditionally spend 80% of their time sourcing products that account for only 20% of their total procurement spend. RS is focussed on reducing the customers “total cost of product ownership” by reducing the need to make multiple calls to various companies to source products, reducing supplier related administration and allowing for the amalgamation as well as consolidation of supplier bases.  Through this process, procurement efficiency is improved and time is freed up to concentrate on the more important business decisions.  For more information, please visit the website at za.rs-online.com 

Press Office:                                                                       

Le-andra OlivierPR and Communication SpecialistRS Components South This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+27 11 691 9345 

Further information is available via these links:

Twitter: @RSNewsSA; @RSElectronics; designsparkRSFacebook: facebook.com/RSSouthAfrica RS Components on LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/rscoms 

Relevant Links:RSProRS Components South Africawww.electrocomponents.com

DesignSpark Magazine - http://www.designspark.com 

New and affordable 3D printers offer highly accessible learning tool for universities, colleges and schools 

Johannesburg, South Africa, 22 May, 2017 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, has introduced a pair of high-reliability affordable 3D printers from Zortrax that are ideal for educational establishments to teach students about the possibilities offered by 3D printing. Universities, colleges and schools can use these machines as a key tool for teaching and learning about 3D design, enabling students to realise ideas, concepts and designs in highly accurate and quickly produced models. 

Employing single-extruder LPD (layer plastic deposition) printing technology, the reasonably priced Zortrax M200 and M300 3D printers are reliable, efficient and offer exceptional quality with high dimensional accuracy and repeatable precision. This enables the high-quality printing of detailed elements that duplicate models without any loss of the original appearance, as well as completing extensive print jobs with almost no maintenance.  

The M200 pack is fully integrated plug-and-play system that allows users to get up-and-running immediately and includes the 3D printer, starter kit, dedicated intuitive software bundle Z-SUITE, and compatible material. Specifications of the M200 include: workspace dimensions of 200 x 200 x 180mm; 90 to 400-micron resolution, wall thickness capability of 400 microns (minimum) to 800 microns (optimum); and single printable point resolution of 400 microns.

Other key specifications include material diameter of 1.75mm and a nozzle diameter of 0.4mm.  Physical dimensions of the printer are 345 x 360 x 430mm without the material spool and 345 x 430 x 430mm with the spool. In addition, there are a number of extra options available including the Hotend V2, perforated plate V2, and side covers, which keep a stable model temperature during the printing and cooling process to reduce the risk of warps and cracks. 

Materials are available in a wide selection of professional grades, qualities and colours to suit different design requirements, and include Z-ABS, Z-ULTRAT, Z-HIPS, and Z-PCABS. The Z-ULTRAT filament comes in pastel shades of yellow, pink, purple, blue and turquoise; Z-ABS in white and pure black; Z-PCABS is a polycarbonate ABS ivory filament; and Z-HIPS comes in black. The range also enables the selection of materials that offer high durability against mechanical stress or high resistance to temperatures or even chemicals.  

The Zortrax M300 3D printer builds upon the capabilities of the M200 and offers a larger workspace with dimensions of 300 x 300 x 300mm and 140 to 300-micron resolution, optimal wall thickness dimension of 800 microns, and single printable point resolution of 400 microns. The M300 is ideal for designs using the Z-HIPS material, and provides a spool preview to allow users to check the material usage and colour. The M300 pack comprises the printer, side covers, starter kit, key to Z-SUITE software, and two spools of material. 

Compatible with stl, obj, dxf and 3mf file types, both machines support Mac OS X/Windows 7 and newer versions, and have access to a helpful model library. Further accessories available for both machines include the Zortrax 40 x 40mm fan cooler and extruder cable with adaptor.  

The Zortrax M200 and M300 3D printers are now available from RS. These new 3D printers strengthen the existing comprehensive range of educational products and solutions stocked by RS: http://za.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=/education  -

About RS Components
RS Components is the market leader in the high service level distribution of electrical, electronic, mechanical, tools and industrial products. Operating in 26 countries whilst serving a further 100 through third-party distributors, RS serves every sector of industry in the procurement of their products relating to maintenance, repair, operations, low volume production, research and development.   With over 500 000 products across 2500 leading brands, the company is committed to ensuring that their 1,5 million customers have fast access to a broad, as well as deep range, of products and technologies, all under one roof. 

RS’s customers, whether ordering single or multiple items, experience a quick, easy, secure, painless and cost effective process. The RS catalogue, available at za.rs-online.com, offers full colour pictures with extensive clear product specifications.Free access to thousands of datasheets ensures the correct product choice. Order placement is easily facilitated through za.rs-online.com, the call centre, e-mail, fax and trade counter. Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products held internationally, within four to six working days.    

It is proven that departments traditionally spend 80% of their time sourcing products that account for only 20% of their total procurement spend. RS is focussed on reducing the customers “total cost of product ownership” by reducing the need to make multiple calls to various companies to source products, reducing supplier related administration and allowing for the amalgamation as well as consolidation of supplier bases. 

Through this process, procurement efficiency is improved and time is freed up to concentrate on the more important business decisions. 

For more information, please visit the website at za.rs-online.com 

Press Office
Le-andra OlivierPR and Communication Specialist RS Components South Africa This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+27 11 691 9345 Further information is available via these links:Twitter: @RSNewsSA; @RSElectronics; designsparkRSFacebook: facebook.com/RSSouthAfricaRS Components on LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/rscoms 

Relevant Links: RSProRS Components South Africawww.electrocomponents.comDesignSpark Magazine - http://www.designspark.com