What is a microbit?
A microbit is a small device that measures 4cm by 5cm and has 25 red LED lights, two buttons, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, a compass, a radio, and a Bluetooth connection. You can use these features to make your microbit interact with the world around you. For example, you can make your microbit display messages, play games, control robots, measure temperature, send data, and much more.
How to program a microbit?
To program a microbit, you need a computer or a tablet with an internet connection and a USB cable. You can use any web browser to access the online editor at https://makecode.microbit.org/ where you can write your code using blocks or JavaScript. You can also download the offline editor if you prefer. Once you have written your code, you can download it to your microbit by connecting it to your computer or tablet with the USB cable and clicking on the download button. Your microbit will flash for a few seconds and then run your code.
What can you do with a microbit?
There are endless possibilities of what you can do with a microbit. Here are some examples of projects that you can try:
- Make a dice: You can make your microbit act like a dice by shaking it and displaying a random number from 1 to 6 on the LED lights.
- Make a compass: You can use the built-in compass to make your microbit point north by displaying an arrow on the LED lights.
- Make a thermometer: You can use the temperature sensor to measure the ambient temperature and display it on the LED lights or on another device using the radio or Bluetooth connection.
- Make a music player: You can use the built-in speaker or connect an external speaker to make your microbit play music or sound effects. You can also use the buttons to control the volume or change the track.
- Make a robot: You can connect your microbit to other devices such as motors, sensors, LEDs, etc. using wires or crocodile clips and make your own robot. You can also use the radio or Bluetooth connection to control your robot remotely.
These are just some of the examples of what you can do with a microbit. You can find more ideas and tutorials at https://microbit.org/projects/ or https://makecode.microbit.org/projects/. You can also share your own projects with other users and see what they have made.
Why learn programming with a microbit?
Learning programming with a microbit is fun and easy. You can see the results of your code immediately on the device and experiment with different features and components. You can also learn important skills such as logic, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Programming with a microbit can also inspire you to explore other areas of computing such as web development, app development, game design, data science, artificial intelligence, etc.
Very Easy to Get Started
One of the main advantages of learning programming with a microbit is that it is very easy to get started. You don’t need any special software or hardware to use it. You can simply plug it into your computer or smartphone and start coding using a web-based editor. You can choose from different programming languages, such as Python, JavaScript, or Scratch. You can also use a drag-and-drop interface that lets you create programs by snapping together blocks of code.
Very Engaging and Fun
Another benefit of learning programming with a microbit is that it is very engaging and fun. You can see the results of your code instantly on the microbit’s LED screen or hear them through its speaker. You can also interact with your microbit using its buttons, sensors, and pins. You can experiment with different inputs and outputs and discover new possibilities. You can also share your projects with others and learn from their feedback.
Help You Develop Important Skills for the Future
Learning programming with a microbit can also help you develop important skills for the future, such as logical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. Programming is not only about writing code, but also about understanding how things work, finding solutions to challenges, expressing your ideas, and working with others. By learning programming with a microbit, you can gain confidence and curiosity in exploring the world of technology and beyond.
So what are you waiting for? Get yourself a microbit and start coding today!
