What’s the BBC micro:bit and how to play?

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized codeable computer with motion detection, a built-in compass and Bluetooth technology, which was given free to every child in year 7 or equivalent across the UK in 2016.

micro:bit website: (https://microbit.org/)

Why BBC attaches great importance to the micro:bit ?

The UK currently faces a critical skills shortage in the technology sector and the BBC and partners aim to help change that.

A collaboration between 29 partners(see below pictures), the BBC micro:bit is the BBC’s most ambitious education initiative in 30 years, with an ambition to inspire digital creativity and develop a new generation of tech pioneers.

In the 1980s, the 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 the legacy of that project for the digital age.

It aims to inspire young people to get creative with digital and develop core skills in science, technology and engineering.

If I am the student, how can I learn?

Though in a small size（5cm X 4cm）, it loads with bountiful electric components, such as the 25 red LEDs to light up, flash messages, create games and invent digital stories;

Two programmable buttons activated when pressed, use the micro:bit as a games controller or pause or skip songs on a playlist;

On-board motion detector or “accelerometer” that can detect movement and tell other devices you’re on the go. Featured actions include shake, tilt and freefall. Turn the micro:bit into a spirit level. Light it up when something is moved. Use it for motion-activated games;

A built-in compass or “magnetometer” to sense which direction you’re facing, your movement in degrees, and where you are. Includes an in-built magnet, and can sense certain types of metal;

Bluetooth Smart Technology to connect to the internet and interact with the world around you. Connect the micro:bit to other micro:bits, devices, kits, phones, tablets, cameras and everyday objects all around. Share creations or join forces to create multi-micro:bit masterpieces. Take a selfie. Pause a DVD or control your playlist;

Five Input and Output (I/O) rings to connect the micro:bit to devices or sensors using crocodile clips or 4mm banana plugs. Use the micro:bit to send commands to and from the rings, to power devices like robots and motors.

The micro:bit can interact with various electronic components through the alligator clips, it supports reading sensor data, controlling the steering gear and RGB light strips and ect., in addition, the micro:bit can also be used to create games,to make sound and light interaction, robot control, scientific experiments, wearable device development, etc.

（https://www.elecfreaks.com/bbc-micro-bit-board-for-coding-programming-microbit.html）

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