Basic Electronics for Arduino Makers, updated

My course, “Basic Electronics for Arduino Makers,” is arguably my most important. It’s where all Arduino Makers should start if terms like “voltage ladder” and “pull-up resistor” sound like gibberish. If you don’t understand electronic circuits’ basic components and structures, getting into even the simplest experiments with Arduino will hamper your progress. And you will always feel that you’re missing something important.

I have updated this course with new lectures to teach you how to use an online circuit simulator. With this simulator, you can boost your understanding and learning of electronics. You can conduct many experiments examining multiple circuit scenarios and plot currents, voltages, and power without hardware expense. You will learn to use multiple power sources and built-in and custom component models. You can even conduct experiments that would be too dangerous to do in real life.

I use the CircuitLab online simulator to demonstrate how to set up simple and more complicated experiments from the course. I will also show you how to cross-check your workbench work and calculations and how to run alternative what-if scenarios. Integrating an online circuit simulator into a course offers significant benefits. These simulators provide a hands-on, interactive learning experience without needing physical components, making them accessible to students regardless of location or resources. They allow learners to experiment with different circuit designs, immediately see the effects of changes, and gain a deeper understanding of concepts like Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Law. Furthermore, simulators can replicate complex scenarios that might be difficult or expensive to set up in a traditional lab, enabling students to explore advanced topics safely and at their own pace. This flexibility enhances comprehension and retention, making online circuit simulators a powerful tool in modern electronics education.

In the course, I will show you how to construct a circuit, plot current, voltage, and power values, and interpret them. I also share my circuits so you can use and modify them.

Online circuit simulators are especially valuable for students who don’t have access to a physical workbench, components, or equipment. With just an internet connection, students can use these tools from anywhere—be it at home, a library, or on the go. These simulators eliminate the need for costly and sometimes hard-to-obtain electronic components, allowing students to build and test circuits virtually. This accessibility is crucial for remote learning or environments where setting up a physical lab is impractical. Students can experiment with different components, observe real-time data, and refine their designs without the limitations of physical resources. This flexibility ensures that learning and exploration can continue uninterrupted, regardless of the student’s circumstances.

Here’s one of the new lectures.

If you are enrolled in Basic Electronics for Arduino Makers, you will see the new lectures next time you log in. If not, I invite you to learn more about the course and enroll.

Enjoy!