What is microbit.org?

What is the micro:bit?

The micro:bit (also known as the BBC micro:bit) is a microcontroller that is programmable using both blocks and Python. It is small and low-powered and has built-in sensors, such as an accelerometer and a compass, and has programmable red LEDs. The device is designed to allow for the expansion of computational thinking for learners and gives them the opportunity to work with physical computing. Physical computing is programming devices to interact with the physical world instead of a program running on a computer screen.

The focus of this project is to explore microbit.org, which is the main Website for the Micro:bit Educational Foundation to give educators and learners resources and the opportunity to program the micro:bit in an easy-to-use environment (microbit.org, n.d.). While the micro:bit is a physical microcontroller, the site has a graphical interface allowing students to program the device without actually having one, reducing issues in equity.

Physical Computing and Computational Thinking

The micro:bit is designed for making and creating. Because of it's very nature, the micro:bit supports multiple learning theories and frameworks including constructivism, experiential learning, growth mindset theory, and the seven e-Learning affordances (Cope and Kalantzis, 2017).

Educational Purpose

When students are creating, whether they are doing this through projects or programming, it is important that they have the opportunity to grow beyond what they have learned and create something new. Because the micro:bit is easy to begin using, it is a low-threshold device but students can build and create based on ever-increasing design challenges that expand the learning experience. This would be defined as high-ceiling because the learning is not confined to a defined limit. Students can continue creating and making based on the limits of their own creativity. When creativity wanes, students can use online tutorials and tools to give them new projects to pursue.

Major features of microbit.org

Before microbit.org, Microsoft had created makecode.com. Makecode allows for programming for multiple tools and devices, including the micro:bit and even Minecraft. Microbit.org is a more comprehensive site that allows students to work freely and not necessarily within the confines of a classroom, but on their own. Students may select lessons, projects, or free code and do this within the Makecode environment or by using the microbit.org Classroom environment.

Caroline Keep discusses how the micro:bit can help with students with metacognition and grow in their learning and how the micro:bit works with the Maker movement.

Why the micro:bit versus the Arduino or Raspberry Pi

Cost: In comparison with other devices, the micro:bit is low cost. It sells on Amazon for 39.99. If the ability to purchase devices in not an option, microbit.org allows for coding through the graphical interface that also will show coding for motors, breadboards, and other devices. Arduinos and Raspberry Pis, on the other hand, need multiple additional tools to begin working with them which raises the entry-level cost.

Ease of access: The microbit is easily codeable through the microbit.org Website. If physical micro:bits are available, they simply need to be connected to the computer. This will create a "flash drive" to drop downloaded code onto the micro:bit. If physical devices are not available, the graphical interface allows for in-depth coding and exploration.

Ease of use: In comparison with coding Arduinos and Raspberry Pis, the coding platform begins as an easy-to-use programming tools with block coding. The difficulty in coding can be scaffolded by starting with block coding, then using Javascript, and finally Python. There are options to code Arduino through Scratch for Arduino and mBlock to make coding easier. Otherwise, Arduino C can be a complex learning experience for entry-level students. There is a version of Scratch for Raspberry Pi as well otherwise students will program in Python, which is built into the Python OS.

Block code, Python, or Javascript

Students are not confined to programming with one programming environment. They have the opportunity to program the micro:bit with blocks, in a web-based Python editor, or in Javascript. If students use Javascript or Blocks, they can program the micro:bit and see the outcomes of their programming in the graphical interface. The Python editor requires a physical micro:bit to connect and upload their programs. Programming is scaffolded to the learners preference and experience. As learners because more proficient, they can increase the difficulty by switching to a code-based language such as Javascript and Python.

Using microbit.org Classroom

Micro:bit classroom, still in its Beta format, allows for teachers to create an environment to post assignments and allow students to code their projects and submit them. This allows for teacher-student feedback for a project and gives the opportunity for recursive feedback as a student moves through a project or multiple assignments. Micro:bit classroom is not an LMS, but an area for students to organize their projects and for teachers to see student code in real time.

Social Media Feeds

The feeds below were gathered using Wakelet in order to curate a list of resources based on search results. Wakelet is a free tool that allows for curation of various media platforms including Twitter feeds and youTube searches. Teachers and students are able to curate resources and share learning through their feeds or comment on each others feeds.

Twitter feeds for #edtech #microbit

youTube feeds for #edtech #microbit

References

Cope, B., & Kalantzis, M. (2017). E-learning ecologies: Principles for new learning and assessment. Routledge.

Keep, C. (2018, November 29). Caroline Keep NexusED Podcast, ep II: Maker Education Pedagogy and Microbits Builds. youTube. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRe81NWln7c

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