The Arduino Fundamentals Certification & Labs
What is the Arduino Fundamentals Certification?
To be successful as a Computer & Technology Support Professional, it is very helpful to have a basic understanding of the principles of technology that are the foundation of modern computer and information technology (IT). The Arduino Fundamentals Certification is an online exam that provides official certification of your knowledge of basic electronics, programming and physical computing. To prepare for the Arduino Fundamentals Certification you will have the option to do hands-on laboratory activities with the Arduino Kit, in which you will gain a basic understanding of the fundamental computer and electronics technology Principles, including Electricity and Electronics, Electronic components, Schematics, Signals and Waves, Computer Principles, Programming basics using the C language, and Embedded Computer Systems. Students will be able to earn the Arduino Fundamentals Certification by passing the online certification exam. You will also earn extra credit for completing the labs. When you pass The Arduino Fundamentals Certification will also be able to earn 1 unit of college credit as part of the level 2 certificate, beginning by 2024, pending final approval.
How can you prepare for the Arduino Fundamentals Certification exam?
The knowledge level and concepts tested in the exam closely match the content of the Arduino lab kit which is called the Arduino Starter Kit. You can prepare for the Arduino Fundamentals Certification exam by completing the the Arduino Fundamentals Lab projects.
What are the Arduin Fundamentals Labs?
The Arduin Fundamentals Labs are set of 16 hands-on lab activities that will help you learn the skill and knowledge to pass the Arduino Fundamentals Certification. You can complete the lab activities at home or any other location. All you need, in addition to the Arduino Starter Kit, is a computer such as a laptop or desktop computer running the Apple, Linux, or Windows operating system. The 16 labs are described in the Arduino Projects Book. You can download the book for free (click on download).
What are the Arduino Computer Fundamentals Learning Lab Projects:
The 4 (core) courses (including this couse) of the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate, offer the option to learn more about the principle of electronics, computer, Information Technology (IT) and coding (software programming) using a computer electronics learning kit called the Arduino Starter Kit. The Arduino projects will help you earn a the Arduino Fundamentals Certification. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete 4 projects in each of the 4 (core) courses (including this couse) of the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate, for a total of 16 Arduino Fundamentals Lab projects. These projects will help you increase your knowledge of computer and Information Technology (IT) fundamentals and principles. You will be asked to record a short (3 minutes or less) video of your project to show at the weekly Zoom meeting or to place in your notebook (OneNote). Please see the syllabus for this courses for more details.
What is the Arduino Starter Kit?
To help you learn the principles of computer technology, and to help you gain the knowledge to pass the Arduino Fundamentals Certification exam, this course uses an optional hands-on computer electronics kit that employs a small simplified computer called the Arduino. The Arduino Fundamentals Certification is earned by passing an online exam. See this link for more information, or to buy the voucher ($30) and/or take the exam:
https://www.arduino.cc/education/certification
The official Arduino Starter Kit (K000007) can be purchased from the Arduino Store ($99).
https://www.amazon.com/Arduino-Starter-Kit-English-Official/dp/B009UKZV0A
I recommend the Arduino Starter Kit because it is designed for the lab projects, and it includes a printed book that guides you through the labs. However, you can download the book in PDF file format from the course on Canvas.
You may find other vendors for the Arduino Starter Kit, or to save money, you might substitute a similar Arduino kit from other manufacturers. See the parts list on the next page to compare the included electronics parts. It should include an Arduino Uno. You will find many Arduino kits on Amazon, Ebay, and Walmart that will be usable for most of the labs or with some modifications. Here are some links (URLs) to consider:
https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Project-Tutorial-Controller-Projects/dp/B01D8KOZF4/
https://www.ebay.com/itm/302057861688
