Supporting teaching and learning in embedded audio and interaction
Bela grew out of a university research environment, and education remains central to how our tools are used today.
Our platforms are used in teaching and research at universities, design schools, and academic institutions worldwide. They support a wide range of disciplines, including music technology, digital signal processing, interaction design, creative computing, robotics, e-textiles, and product design.
Built-in teaching materials #
We know that diving into the world of embedded computing, sensors, actuators and DSP can be intimidating for students, and that there’s also a learning curve for the educators leading the class. Every Bela system comes with a library of over 200 well-documented examples, with circuit diagrams and resources, to provide as many entry points as possible for students, educators and researchers from a range of disciplines.
Minimal setup, reliable workflows #
Bela systems come with the Bela IDE pre-installed and ready to use. The IDE runs in a web browser and allows students to edit, build, and run projects without installing additional software. This makes Bela well suited to classroom and lab settings, where stability, repeatability, and low maintenance are essential.
A complete platform for learning #
Bela provides a self-contained environment for teaching interactive audio and sensing. Integrated tools allow students to inspect and understand signals in real time, reducing the need for external measurement equipment. The same platform can be used across teaching, research, and performance contexts, helping students move from experimentation to more advanced projects.
Teach in multiple languages #
Bela supports multiple programming environments commonly used in teaching and research:
- C++
- Arduino
- Pure Data
- SuperCollider
- Csound
- P5.js (Processing)
This allows educators to choose tools that align with their curriculum while working within a consistent hardware and software platform.
Educational pricing and support #
We offer discounted pricing for universities and educational institutions purchasing Bela hardware for teaching or research. We also support educators with documentation, examples, and guidance when integrating Bela into courses.
