Single board computer for coding classes (Python / EduBlocks)

[pawlinski]

I taught coding at a private school for several years (first LegoWedo, then Scratch). I taught children from 5 to 12 years old. Children want to develop further in the direction of coding, so I want (after the winter break) to open a class with programming in Python and EduBlocks.
That's why I'm looking for single board computers for my class.

What do you recommend to me? My first choice was Raspberry Pi, but I'm a big fan of Pine64 (I use Pinebook Pro on a daily basis, and Pinephone (Brave Heart) will be coming soon ).

I want to be able to install a simple linux OS (debian, manjaro, ubuntu) with Python and a browser (EduBlocks).
I would also like to be able to connect additional sensors to the boards in the future (temperatures, distances, etc.). Ideally, the board should be compatible with the Grove system.

What do you recommend from the Pine64 family?

[Luke]

Hi there, sorry for getting back to you so late. If cost is a factor (and I assume it is, since its an educational application for children) then I'd say you should go with the Rock64. Its a solid board and it is well supported all around. It is also low-power and capable.

In my view, if you decide to use the Rock64 then the best OS to pair it with is Armbian, which has both a Debian and Ubuntu variant.
Let me know what you think

[pawlinski]

Hi there, sorry for getting back to you so late. If cost is a factory (and I assume it is, since its an educational application for children) then I'd say you should go with the Rock64. Its a solid board and it is well supported all around. It is also low-power and capable.

In my view, if you decide to use the Rock64 then the best OS to pair it with is Armbian, which has both a Debian and Ubuntu variant.
Let me know what you think

Thanks for the help  I also think rock64 will be the best choice
I would like to be able to connect all kinds of sensors to it in the future. Is Rock64 compatible with Grove systems? (Theoretically, Rock64 is not on the list of supported platforms, but I read that Rock64 is compatible with Raspberry Pi overlays.)

[martinayotte]

but I read that Rock64 is compatible with Raspberry Pi overlays.

Overlays are never compatible between boards, especially when they are not using the same SoC.
But you can only be inspired by RasberryPi overlay sources to create new one for the Rock64.

[ab1jx]

Sensors, you can get some ads1115 (4 channel 16-bit A/D) boards cheap especially if you pick them up on Aliexpress and wait for them.  Under $5 I think.  Some are designed to fit the RPi 3 GPIO, which is mostly the same on the Rock64.  There are different configurations but plugging in more than one at a time may require an extender.  They can be set to different addresses but they tie up pins.