Microbit setup

The blocks-based online coding and simulation environment is the best place to start for younger pupils.

https://makecode.microbit.org/

There are a series of tutorials covering a wide range of basic 'getting started projects'.

Pupils can test all of these in the online simulator as shown in our first video. Creativity and challenge is key so although the flashing heart project is a good starting point, pupils will prefer the thought of creating their own 'dance light show' sequence.

Tips:

• Pupils should (almost) always work in pairs for physical computing
• Don't give out any physical kit initially: downloading and running it on a real microbit is a reward in itself once sufficient progress has been made
• If pupils are making progress at different rates you can then circulate to advise those who have reached the download stage on the pragmatics.
• ...in turn, in a busy classroom, it can be helpful to use 2 or 4 of the most confident students to act as helpers to others once they have completed their task
• Pupils will often find the physical connection & downloading to be the hardest part. To help with this:
  • leave the short usb cables permanently connected to the microbit (don't disassemble these)
  • plug in the usb cable for them when you hand out a microbit
  • if possible change the 'download' settings on chrome before you start so that it either prompts the pupil where to save the file or even downloads it directly to the microbit path location. See the video tip below. This saves students having to open explorer and drag the file onto the microbit storage drive.
• Start with a class demo: invite students up to the board to add/change some of the blocks
• Go ready to showcase great work: do you have a visualiser or an equivalent app on your phone to allow you to demonstrate pupil's solutions to each other