The Micro:Bit is a tiny programmable computer, designed to make learning and teaching coding easy and fun. The BBC launched the Micro:Bit single-board microcontroller back in 2015 as an education tool for kids in an effort to get them actively involved in writing software and project development. Since then, the Micro:Bit has been made available internationally.
The Micro:Bit is likely to become the platform of choice when the Singapore Government rolls out compulsory enrichment classes on coding for all upper primary pupils in 2020. This Code For Fun (CFF) programme aims to instil an appreciation for computational thinking and coding and nurture a new generation of digital natives with a passion to create with technology.
Since 2017, the Digital Maker Programme by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has also been reaching out to schools and provides all interested primary and secondary schools with micro:bits for their students. Together with their partner Microsoft, they equip school teachers with basic skills of digital making using the micro:bit. Additionally, teachers receive recommended lesson ideas that integrate the use of the micro:bit as a learning tool in the classroom.
The micro:bit comes with a large variety of built-in features, such as:
The micro:bit allows anyone to simply pick it up, plug it into a computer and start creating with it right away. It is designed to be a starting point to spark children's interest in coding so they can move on to other more complex do-it-yourself electronic devices such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi in the future.
The micro:bit can also connect with a variety of sensors, motors and other micro:bits. This extends the use of the micro:bit to build more complex projects and gives children more ways of expressing their creativity.
