Enhancing student motivation through a hands-on Raspberry Pi activity in an introductory IST course

This study explores the impact of a hands-on, project-based Raspberry Pi activity on undergraduate student motivation in an introductory Information Sciences and Technology (IST) course. Drawing on the principles of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) and project-based learning (PBL), the intervention required students to build and program a simple electronic circuit using Raspberry Pi 5 kits, integrating hardware and software concepts through collaborative problem-solving. Using a cross-sectional survey based on the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), the study measured self-reported levels of interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, pressure, and choice among 15 participants, with a focus on comparing first-generation and non-first-generation college students. Results indicated that all students reported high interest and enjoyment, with first-generation students demonstrating notably higher perceived autonomy (choice) and positive engagement than their non-first-generation peers. No significant differences were observed in perceived competence or pressure between groups. The findings suggest that hands-on, student-led activities using affordable technology like Raspberry Pi can foster motivation and engagement, particularly among first-generation students, and potentially minimize anxiety associated with technical tasks. Limitations include the small sample, single activity, and single-institution context. Future research should further explore the role of social interactions in such experiential learning environments and examine the broader applicability of these pedagogical approaches across diverse educational settings and larger sample populations.