Micro:bits

Use the links on the right to visit the section of the page you wish to learn more about:

Where to code and how to transfer it in your Micro:Bit

Lesson Plans, Challenges and Project Ideas

What are Micro:bits?

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that, when programmed, let it interact with you and your world.

The new micro:bit with sound adds a built-in microphone and speaker, as well as an extra touch input button and a power button. Find out more in the video!

You can also learn more about all the features of the Micro:Bit by watching the videos found in the Getting Started Playlist!

Where to code and how to transfer it in your Micro:Bit

Scroll the embedded website below to find out all you need to know about the basic set-up of your Micro:Bit. Learn how to program a code for your Micro:Bit, how to connect it to your device and how to transfer your program from your device into the Micro:Bit itself.

You can also learn by watching the short videos found in the Transferring Code to Your Micro:Bit Playlist!

Battery Pack and Peripherals

Battery Pack

In addition to USB powering, the BBC Micro:Bit can also be powered using a battery pack containing 2 x zinc or alkaline AAA batteries.

To insert the battery connector, grip the base of the connector between your thumb and forefinger and push the connector into the JST socket on the board. To remove the battery connector you may need to wiggle the connector to release.

You can watch the video on the right for a demonstration.

Information taken from the mocro:bit support site.

Pssssst... Try printing out this template on cardstock paper and have your students create a battery pack holder for your Micro:Bits. Follow these instructions.

Peripherals

The Micro:Bit on its own has plenty of sensors and buttons and actions to keep your students more than busy! You can do plenty with just that and access to the MakeCode site.

However, many companies have created peripherals and project kits to add even more options to the Micro:Bit and open doors to more innovation and creation. These include coloured lights, buzzers, moisture sensors, motors and more!

Check out the sites on the left to see what is out there. Remember to ask your principal to check with the Purchasing Department before buying anything!

Using MakeCode for Micro:Bit

Microsoft MakeCode for Micro:Bit is a free, open source platform for creating projects with the BBC Micro:Bit.

This coding platform uses either Block Coding or JavaScript or Python to give command to the Micro:Bit.

With Block Coding, students connect colour-coded blocks that relate to hardware features to attribute functions to them.

With JavaScript and MakeCode Python views, students can use real-world coding language to program the Micro:Bit.

A device simulator is also available on the MakeCode for Micro:Bit platform that shows students what will happen on the physical device before you download your program. This means that students can code and experiment without a physical Micro:Bit!

General Overview of MakeCode for Micro:Bit

Go through the process of creating a code from scratch and downloading it onto your Micro:Bit.

Watch someone go through 3 of the MakeCode Tutorials to get a sense of how the platform works.

Using the Tutorials in MakeCode for Micro:Bit

There are dozens of tutorials embedded inside the MakeCode for Micro:Bit platform. Most of these fall into three different categories:

Written instructions

These are sometimes written in one webpage or spread out through multiple.

Video demonstrations

These can sometimes be children showing how they follow tutorials or more professional demos.

Embedded Interactive tutorials

When started, these will allow students to follow a step-by-step tutorial directly in the MakeCode for Micro:Bit platform. Students have access to the Immersive Reader tool and can move forward and back between the steps.

Saving Projects in MakeCode for Micro:Bit

MakeCode for Micro:Bit DOES NOT use usernames and passwords. This has its advantages like the fact that even younger students can access the platform easily and openly. The projects are automatically saved in the computers memory cache so they will always show up when you visit the MakeCode for Micro:Bit platform. As long as a device is assigned to only one student this is not an issue.

However, this does mean that if multiple users share the same computer, they will have access to other students' projects. It is therefore important to teach your students how to download and save their projects in order for them to continue working on them in the future.

The video on the right provides 2 ways of saving Micro:Bit projects for your students. Some of the information shown can also be used to show students how they can share their codes with their teacher.

Check out the super short videos in the MakeCode Minute Playlist to find dozens of examples of what can be done in Make:Code for Micro:Bit!

Lesson Plans, Challenges and Project Ideas

The tutorials available on the MakeCode for Micro:Bit site are often enough for your students to learn all the basic skills and blocks needed to code.

However, you may want to teach certain skills more sequentially as you embed them with the QEP's competencies and essential knowledge or if you are using the Micro:Bits in an elective class or lunchtime club.

Check out the different sites below for suggestions.

Code.org has created Micro:Bit extension activities to be used in conjunction to their student Computer Science courses. These activities can be used as STAND-ALONE activities as well.

Each Micro:Bit extension course has a guide which contains everything you need to use the BBC Micro:Bit.

You’ll find:

An introductory exploration lesson to get familiar with the micro:bit’s features and start making links with prior learning.
A guide to teaching the coding lessons.
Three coding lessons to choose from matched to relevant CS topics.

You can also check out Code.org's free resources to teach their CS Fundamentals Courses at the Elementary level, their CS Discoveries Courses in Middle School and their CS Principles in High School.

Micro:Bit have designed and prepared curriculum-linked (to the British Education Program) units of work and design challenges for planning and teaching computing in primary and secondary schools.

These lessons can be filtered by age (from 7 to 16 yrs old) or by topics.

Some units are stand-alone activities while others are made up of several lessons that can be done over a longer period of time.

Most resources are downloadable as a WORD document and often shared with Creative Common licenses that allow you to modify them as long as you attribute the creators. Check at the bottom of each lesson's information page to ensure you honour the appropriate copyright license listed.

LEARN Quebec has made an 8-unit course for students called "Micro:Bit 101".

These units are self-paced and allow students to move forward in correlation to their familiarity with Micro:Bits and their acquisition of new skills.

Teachers should still have a look at all the units before their students start as some of them include worksheets to print and have available.

These units are text-heavy so have your students open the site in the Microsoft Edge browser or copy and paste pieces of the units in a Teams Assignment or Class Notebook and have them use the Immersive Reader tool to have the text read to them .

Micro:Bit proposes these quick projects to suit all ages, searchable by computing topic, level, coding language and micro:bit feature.

Each activity is divided into three sections: Make it, Code it and Improve it! This allows students to see existing codes and then modify them to meet the challenges on each activity.

This is a great place for students to learn about new blocks and how they work.

Kids Code Jeunesse is a bilingual Canadian charity determined to give every Canadian child access to digital skills education, with a focus on girls and underserved communities. They are making sure kids have the confidence and creative tools they need to build a better future.

They propose a few Micro:Bit projects on their site. Check them out here!

LEARN Quebec has created a Padlet with challenges for students. These are divided into Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced challenges. They are available both in English and in French.

These are great for your students who go beyond the tutorials but don't have ideas for a personal coding project yet!

LEARN Quebec has another Resource and Support site for Micro:Bits. Visit it today!

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