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Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

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Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#51

Post by david-given »

foobarian wrote: post #29
mcv wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think 11 is already too late for those blocks. I did some lessons with Blockly [0] in my son's class last years (kids of 6 and 7), and that worked fine for the oldest/smartest kids, though it was still a bit too hard for some. I plan to do it again this year (ages 7-9) to see how that goes. But after that, I think it's time for some Ruby or Python. I did Basic at that age. [0] https://blockly-games.appspot.com/

You know, what way is there today to get the simple experience of a C64 or a ZX spectrum? Several things there: - Instant on with a high level language interpreter - Simple architecture/ISA one can grow into - Maybe a monitor/assembler available from the interpreter - Powerful graphics, with simple things possible from the language, and full power available from machine code This would be perfect for around 8-10 year…

Minecraft, with a computing addon?

Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#52

Post by timthorn »

monk_e_boy wrote: post #32
timthorn wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They did fine with the ZX Spectrum, where keywords autocompleted on a single keypress (eg, at a point where it was valid, pressing p got "PRINT" or j got "LOAD"). Every key had legends showing what it would produce. Great for a 5 year old who could read but not spell.

This is not my experience of five year olds. I am a teacher.

And I was the 5 year old referenced. :)

Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#53

Post by timthorn »

jgrahamc wrote: post #45

Having played around with Raspberry Pi, Arduinos of all stripes, and micro:bit I was disappointed by the micro:bit. But I've also seen children use it in a school environment and seen the sheer delight of writing code that makes something do something. It's biggest limitation is the display. It's a pity that something with a bit more pixel density wasn't possible because displaying text on it is a pain and 5x5 is rea…

They've hinted at a new release next year with higher pixel density - as the Foundation is looking at a worldwide audience they need to display other scripts.

Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#54

Post by linker3000 »

laumars wrote: post #38
msravi wrote: post #2

It's somewhat surprising to me that the "block editor" thing is so popular in these beginner kits. My son (almost 11) was introduced to it at school[1] and did not find it intuitive at all. We then got an Arduino and started to write some simple programs, and he took to it right off the bat. The Arduino programming platform is simple enough to get a 10-year old started off and scales so well to "professional" project…

The thing with block editors is that they're easier to teach. Bare in mind that most school teachers aren't going to be proficient in an imperative language. Some barely cope with MS Word and Excel. It's very easy for us to harp on about how language 𝒙 is easier than Scratch et al, but we are able to debug programs that fail to compile or execute as expected. We are able to assist with writing the syntax from memory…

> if the teacher gets troubled by software then they often have to wait a few days for their contracted support to next visit the school.

If it's to do with the curriculum, that's what the STEM Ambassadors are for too - we're often only an email away.

https://www.stem.org.uk/

Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#55

Post by ntoll »

kriro wrote: post #44
ntoll wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hi, It was probably me you saw keynoting - perhaps at this year's EuroPython? I'm one of the volunteers behind the MicroPython related work for the micro:bit. Sorry you thought I was nationalistic. That's completely the opposite to my intention. :-( To set the record straight, my point about the Acorn BBC micro was only: 1) The BBC already have done something like this before and have "form", resources and reach in t…

FWIW, it wasn't EuroPython. It was Muc2016 in Aachen, Germany (human computer interaction conference) Thanks for the explanation :) We're pretty much in agreement overall, some project choices just seemed odd though. These projects tend to be bureaucratic beasts on top of the technical challenges. One of the interesting takeaways was that the micro:bit team learned a lot of non-technical lessons that are valuable (ho…

Great stuff and many thanks for responding!

Hah... it wasn't me talking at Muc2016. I wonder who it was? I'd love to know who... :-)

FWIW, here's my EuroPython keynote, including singing micro:bits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVaF6uZuSIU

Would love feedback!

Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#56

Post by DanBC »

foobarian wrote: post #29
mcv wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think 11 is already too late for those blocks. I did some lessons with Blockly [0] in my son's class last years (kids of 6 and 7), and that worked fine for the oldest/smartest kids, though it was still a bit too hard for some. I plan to do it again this year (ages 7-9) to see how that goes. But after that, I think it's time for some Ruby or Python. I did Basic at that age. [0] https://blockly-games.appspot.com/

You know, what way is there today to get the simple experience of a C64 or a ZX spectrum? Several things there: - Instant on with a high level language interpreter - Simple architecture/ISA one can grow into - Maybe a monitor/assembler available from the interpreter - Powerful graphics, with simple things possible from the language, and full power available from machine code This would be perfect for around 8-10 year…

Maximite? http://geoffg.net/maximite.html

> The Colour Maximite is a small and versatile single chip computer running a full featured BASIC interpreter with 128K of working memory and eight colours on a VGA monitor.

> It will work with a standard PC keyboard and because the Maximite has its own built in SD memory card and BASIC language you need nothing more to start writing and running BASIC programs.

> The Colour Maximite also has 40 input/output lines including an Arduino compatible connector. These I/Os can be independently configured as analog inputs, digital inputs or digital outputs. You can measure voltage, frequencies, detect switch closure, etc and respond by turning on lights, closing relays, etc - all under control of your BASIC program.

It's showing its age a bit, but still sounds useful.

Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#57

Post by makomk »

jakobegger wrote: post #14
seycombi wrote: post #4

deleted

That thing looks nothing like the Star of David.

You can probably thank the US election for a lot of general confusion about what the Star of David looks like, and let's not even get into sheriff's badges. At least it's over soon.

Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#58

Post by thequickeninger »

wott wrote: post #46
Tomte wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Words in titles are conventionally capitalized (with the exception of "the", "a" and similar).

I've often wondered: Is it an English thing or an American thing? Is it recent or has it always been the rule? Does it depend on the 'class' of the publication? To me it is unreadable, a real PITA to process such capitalised titles. Especially with English language, for it has very short words, hence capitals can harm the reading rhythm every 4 or 5 characters; and the same word can be a noun, an adjective or a verb…

The author messed up. Titles and "Proper Nouns" should be capitalized. The title of a book, the title of a movie, the name of a town, the name of a building, someones name, etc. Although this isn't the case when the title contains words like the or of or some other minor word.

Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#59

Post by moron4hire »

mcv wrote: post #19
msravi wrote: post #2

It's somewhat surprising to me that the "block editor" thing is so popular in these beginner kits. My son (almost 11) was introduced to it at school[1] and did not find it intuitive at all. We then got an Arduino and started to write some simple programs, and he took to it right off the bat. The Arduino programming platform is simple enough to get a 10-year old started off and scales so well to "professional" project…

I think 11 is already too late for those blocks. I did some lessons with Blockly [0] in my son's class last years (kids of 6 and 7), and that worked fine for the oldest/smartest kids, though it was still a bit too hard for some. I plan to do it again this year (ages 7-9) to see how that goes. But after that, I think it's time for some Ruby or Python. I did Basic at that age. [0] https://blockly-games.appspot.com/

The unfortunate thing is that there seem to be a lot of adults who think they can't learn to program without those blocks.

Re: Germans React to UK’s micro:bit

#60

Post by marianov »

msravi wrote: post #2

It's somewhat surprising to me that the "block editor" thing is so popular in these beginner kits. My son (almost 11) was introduced to it at school[1] and did not find it intuitive at all. We then got an Arduino and started to write some simple programs, and he took to it right off the bat. The Arduino programming platform is simple enough to get a 10-year old started off and scales so well to "professional" project…

Block style programming works great with kids that are just starting to read (4-6), and paremeter location and nested control structures seem intuitive.
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