Micro:bit developer community

#1

Post by ntoll » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 2:23 PM UTC

Micro:bit developer community
tech.microbit.org

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#2

Post by msh » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 2:38 PM UTC

I have a hard time understanding the educational value of the micro bit. It seems way to underpowered to do anything interesting educational wise.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#3

Post by solaris999 » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 2:42 PM UTC

msh wrote: post #2

I have a hard time understanding the educational value of the micro bit. It seems way to underpowered to do anything interesting educational wise.

I think you underestimate how much having something tactile, with buttons and LEDs, can really shift how younger students perceive learning. I volunteer teach a group of 8/9 year olds an intro to programming class and the difference between teaching them Python using CLI-esque tools and making things light up on the micro:bit is astounding.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#4

Post by ntoll » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 2:46 PM UTC

msh wrote: post #2

I have a hard time understanding the educational value of the micro bit. It seems way to underpowered to do anything interesting educational wise.

https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutori...

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#5

Post by vonmoltke » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 2:46 PM UTC

msh wrote: post #2

I have a hard time understanding the educational value of the micro bit. It seems way to underpowered to do anything interesting educational wise.

How do you figure that? The chips I learned low-level programming on were significantly less capable than the Nordic chip on this board.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#6

Post by 2bluesc » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 2:47 PM UTC

msh wrote: post #2

I have a hard time understanding the educational value of the micro bit. It seems way to underpowered to do anything interesting educational wise.

I agree about being underpowered. But when it comes to education its more about software support and community.

I'd say the same and the first two generations of raspberry pi, but the community and price trumped all.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#7

Post by rwmj » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 3:00 PM UTC

msh wrote: post #2

I have a hard time understanding the educational value of the micro bit. It seems way to underpowered to do anything interesting educational wise.

The Micro:Bit is significantly more powerful than the machines I learned to program on when I was a kid.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#8

Post by yalogin » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 3:36 PM UTC

So this is not available in the US yet. And there is no link to a reseller directly from their site.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#9

Post by rb808 » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 3:41 PM UTC

I see these are available to buy in the UK now (has singles from other retailers http://uk.farnell.com/bbc-microbit-reseller). http://uk.farnell.com/bbc-microbit?CMP=AFC-AN-UK-ALL-473347 Anyone how to buy a single one in the US? My 8yo was going to get an arduino robot for Christmas but this might simpler to use I think.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#10

Post by rb808 » Wed, Oct 19, 2016, 3:44 PM UTC

solaris999 wrote: post #3

msh wrote: post #2

I have a hard time understanding the educational value of the micro bit. It seems way to underpowered to do anything interesting educational wise.

I think you underestimate how much having something tactile, with buttons and LEDs, can really shift how younger students perceive learning. I volunteer teach a group of 8/9 year olds an intro to programming class and the difference between teaching them Python using CLI-esque tools and making things light up on the micro:bit is astounding.

Is that age group the best age to learn? I notice they're targeting year 7/8/9 in the UK - is that high school?