Tutorial for distance on-line learning (by EDUMOTIVA)

3.1. Tinkercad

Tinkercad (https://www.tinkercad.com/) is a free powerful software that can be used, in our case, for electronics, microcontrollers and coding as well. Tinkercad comprises a complete simulator for analog and digital electronics, which are mandatory in university for many degrees. Logic gates, resistors, capacitors, transistors, integrated circuits like the famous “555”, microcontrollers are some of the plethora of components offered by Tinkercad simulator. User can create not only simple but also complicated circuits and through simulation validate the expected outcome.

Tinkercad allows teachers to create classes, where students can join and engage to learning process by interaction with the circuits. Projects which use microcontrollers, like micro-bit and Arduino can be simulated in Tinkercad.

Coding is a new feature, which is available in this simulator. It uses blocks, instead of commands, like Google’s App inventor, and user can create some simple programs by putting the blocks in the right order. Understanding algorithmic is the main goal of Tinkercad’s block section rather creating complicated programs. This virtual electronic lab, comprises a dominant tool for higher education that encourage students to actively involve into learning (face to face or distance).