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Micro:bit developer community

tech.microbit.org

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Re: Micro:bit developer community

#22

Post by regularfry »

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 learnt how memory works on a machine with a Z80. You don't need power for education, you need immediacy and tangibility.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#23

Post by frutiger »

rb808 wrote: post #10
solaris999 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

The ages for education/schools in the UK:

     5-11    -> Primary School
    11-16    -> Secondary School
    16-18    -> Further Education (often called college, or Sixth Form)
    18-21/22 -> Higher Education (University/undergraduate)
Some secondary schools are large enough/have enough expertise to have a Sixth Form as part of it. Some children go to "preparatory school" until age 13 when they enter a secondary school.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#24

Post by msh »

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.

Maybe you are right, I am just thinking it would be harder to to get a program to do something interesting.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#27

Post by curioussavage »

rb808 wrote: post #9

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.

I bought mine from Pimoroni. Took two weeks to get to California. I paid in bitcoin so I'm not sure what the exact cost was in dollars. I bought two more for other people.

Much simpler for beginners. And they sell a coin cell add on board so your kid can carry it around and show people. Or put it on a lanyard.

Re: Micro:bit developer community

#28

Post by curioussavage »

xchaotic wrote: post #15

I would like to once more criticize the fact that BBC re-invented the wheel (and micro:bit) at a time where $5 Raspberry Pi 0 is widely available. It would have been much better to spend the effort of producing better learning software and ecosystem for Raspberry Pi instead. Someone boasted about the lengths it took to make Python run on micro:bit and it still isn't full Python and no chance for anything graphically…

I know everybody already got on your case about this but just want to say its all about narrowing the scope. The microbit is much more accessible. It has a narrow range of use cases that really makes it easy to choose projects. It is plug and play, no flashing, no other parts required (no mini Hdmi adapter, everybody has a microUSB cable around).

PiBakery has helped make setting up a pi easier though.

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