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By William Van Zyl
Published
WHAT IS THE MICRO:BIT BBC?
I ordered the Micro Bit and the inventor’s kit a few days ago (New Zealand). It is amazing! It is perfect for teaching computer coding to beginners—Python. As a high school teacher, I think Micro Bit is probably the best choice for any digital or technology teacher who wants to introduce computer coding to teenagers. It is so cool that even adults will have fun learning! See the video for an overview below. Read the excerpt from the BBC website.
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized codeable computer with motion detection, a built-in compass, and Bluetooth technology. In 2016, it was given free to every child in year 7 or equivalent across the UK.
The BBC micro:bit is a collaboration between 29 partners and the BBC’s most ambitious education initiative in 30 years. It aims to inspire digital creativity and develop a new generation of tech pioneers.
The UK currently faces a critical skills shortage in the technology sector, and the BBC and its partners aim to help change that.
In the 1980s, BBC Micro introduced many children to computing for the first time, and the BBC Micro:bit, part of the BBC’s Make it Digital initiative, will build on that project’s legacy for the digital age.
It aims to inspire young people to get creative with digital and develop core skills in science, technology and engineering.
Coding in seconds
“We happily give children paint brushes when they’re young, with no experience – it should be exactly the same with technology,” said Sinead Rocks, Head of BBC Learning.
“The BBC micro:bit is all about young people learning to express themselves digitally, and it’s their device to own.
“It’s our most ambitious education initiative for 30 years. And as the micro:bit can connect to everything from mobile phones to plant pots and Raspberry Pis, this could be for the internet-of-things what the BBC Micro was to the British gaming industry.”
It measures 4cm by 5cm, is available in various colours, and is designed to be fun and easy to use. It can be coded with something simple in seconds—like lighting up its LEDs or displaying a pattern—without prior knowledge of computing.
It also connects to other devices, sensors, kits and objects and is a companion to Arduino, Galileo, Kano, littleBits and Raspberry Pi, acting as a springboard to more complex learning.
Each element is completely programmable via easy-to-use software on a dedicated website microbit.org, that can be accessed from a PC, tablet or mobile.
A personal area on the website allows users to save and test creations in a simulator before they are transferred to the micro:bit, and the available tools scale is as complex as ideas, imagination, and skills required.
Credit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4hVG2Br1W1LKCmw8nSm9WnQ/the-bbc-micro-bit
OVERVIEW:
You can read a great additional article here (Micro:bit BBC): Using sensors to improve sustainability for caves in New Zealand.
RELATED ARTICLE:
ABOUT THE ARTICLE: This article discusses Waitomo Caves in New Zealand and how digital sensors can be used to manage the cave systems’ sustainability and other aspects. It is a great article for high school and tertiary teachers and students. I touch on the application of microprocessors (including the coding) for a sustainable cave system.
