Microbit 9-week Course Outline
Physical Computing With MicroBit: Seven(7) 90-minute sessions, once per week + two(2)-week (30 hour) Action Learning Project Lab+ Exhibition. Middle School and above.
Explore the science and art of computer programming using the BBC MicroBit, a credit-card sized computer with built-in sensors and wireless communication, and the MakeCode visual programming environment from Microsoft. Students will learn about concepts such as loops, variables, sensors, actuators, conditionals, and Bluetooth radio through a series of fun individual and group projects, such as an electric guitar, a simulation of fireflies, a love meter, magic-8 ball and more. For the final Action Learning Lab intensive, students working in small teams create an original project of their own choosing that has personal or community value. While projects will be determined by students, project work will happen within a structured process that includes using Design Thinking to identify project requirements, development of collaboration skills, daily check-ins and online journaling with peer/instructor/mentor feedback, and a final public exhibition which occurs both in-person and online, becoming part of each student's digital portfolio.
Prerequisite: None.
Parts: MicroBit Go Bundle ea $16.50
Worx Zip Snips ea $34.99
Assorted craft materials
Other items
Course Outline:
Week 1: What is the MicroBit? https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/making
Week 2: Algorithms https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/algorithms
Week 3: Variables https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/variables
Week 4: Conditionals https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/conditionals
Week 5: Iteration https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/iteration
Week 6: Sensors: https://makecode.microbit.org/projects/rock-paper-scissors
Work with Accelerometer
Work with Compass & Temperature
Week 7: Radio: https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/radio
MicroBit App https://microbit.org/guide/mobile/
Week 8/Week 9: Project/Exhibition
https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/finalproject/project
https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/finalproject/examples
https://codecreated.com/coding-workshops/bbc-microbit/
Includes other instruction in use of Google Classroom, video,etc.
Project Outline
Explore the science and art of computer programming using the BBC MicroBit, a credit-card sized computer with built-in sensors and wireless communication, and the MakeCode visual programming environment from Microsoft. Students will learn about concepts such as loops, variables, sensors, actuators, conditionals, and Bluetooth radio through a series of fun individual and group projects, such as an electric guitar, a simulation of fireflies, a love meter, magic-8 ball and more. For the final Action Learning Lab intensive, students working in small teams create an original project of their own choosing that has personal or community value. While projects will be determined by students, project work will happen within a structured process that includes using Design Thinking to identify project requirements, development of collaboration skills, daily check-ins and online journaling with peer/instructor/mentor feedback, and a final public exhibition which occurs both in-person and online, becoming part of each student's digital portfolio.
Prerequisite: None.
Parts: MicroBit Go Bundle ea $16.50
Worx Zip Snips ea $34.99
Assorted craft materials
Other items
Course Outline:
Week 1: What is the MicroBit? https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/making
- Intro to the MicroBit hardware and MakeCode programming environment; downloading and running programs; using the display and buttons; design and prototyping with materials
- Virtual Pets We’ll teach your pupils how to make a Tamagotchi-style virtual pet. This a great project for teaching game logic, as they’ll learn how to create systems for making the pet hungry or thirsty, and they’ll learn how to code the buttons to feed and water the pet.
Week 2: Algorithms https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/algorithms
- Understand the four components that make up a computer and their functions.
- Understand that the micro:bit takes input, and after processing the input, produces output.
- Learn the variety of different types of information the micro:bit takes in as input.
- Apply this knowledge by creating a micro:bit program that takes input and produces an output.
Week 3: Variables https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/variables
- Understand what variables are and why and when to use them in a program.
- Learn how to create a variable, set the variable to an initial value, and change the value of the variable within a micro:bit program.
- Learn how to create meaningful and understandable variable names.
- Understand that a variable holds one value at a time.
- Understand that when you update or change the value held by a variable, the new value replaces the previous value.
- Learn how to use the basic mathematical blocks for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing variables.
- Apply the above knowledge and skills to create a unique program that uses variables as an integral part of the program.
Week 4: Conditionals https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/conditionals
- Understand what conditional statements are, and why and when to use them in a program.
- Learn how to use the Logic blocks ‘If…then’ and ‘If…then…else’.
- Practice using the Logic blocks so different conditions yield specified outcomes.
- Demonstrate understanding and apply skill by collaborating with classmates to create a game that uses a micro:bit and a program that correctly and effectively uses conditionals.
Week 5: Iteration https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/iteration
- Understand the value of iteration in programming
- Understand looping as a form of iteration
- Learn how and when to use the Looping blocks ‘repeat’, ‘while’, and ‘for’
- Apply the above knowledge and skills to create a unique program that uses iteration and looping as an integral part of the program
Week 6: Sensors: https://makecode.microbit.org/projects/rock-paper-scissors
Work with Accelerometer
- Tilting & Measuring Pitch
- Shaking
- Gestures
- Introduce Coding Technique & Concept - Random Numbers
Work with Compass & Temperature
- Programming - Display The Direction Of The Compass
- Programming - A Basic Thermometer
Week 7: Radio: https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/radio
MicroBit App https://microbit.org/guide/mobile/
- Understand how to use the Radio blocks to send and receive data between micro:bits
- Understand the specific types of data that can be sent over the Radio
Week 8/Week 9: Project/Exhibition
https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/finalproject/project
https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro/finalproject/examples
https://codecreated.com/coding-workshops/bbc-microbit/
Includes other instruction in use of Google Classroom, video,etc.
Project Outline