The Gen Z learners are becoming more tech-savvy at a very young age. Many of them have been using their computers and tablets at home well before they go to school. Even the elementary school kids are being taught about computers, nowadays. As kids are learning from a very young age about technology, they’re making huge strides as they grow, in being prepared for schooling, future careers, innovation, and more.
One such technological advancement that helps the young innovators is the ‘MICROBIT’. It is a pocket sized computer that allows the children to kindle their creativity in digital technology and learn robotics and coding in a fun way.
The microbit can be used for making a lot of interesting projects right from a digital watch,a robot, a fitness tracker or even a game controller.
Let us learn about the microbit more in detail. It is an open source hardware ARM(Advanced RISC Machine)-based embedded system designed by the BBC for use in computer education in the United Kingdom. The bbc microbit is integrated with 32-bit ARM cortex M0 CPU microprocessor which is an essential part that runs the program we write. This board has 5×5 LED matrix with 25 LEDs to light up and display animiated patterns, scrolling text, alphanumeric characters,bluetooth smart technology and a lot more. It has two programmable buttons that can used for controlling games and also for controlling music etc. This pocket sized mini computer helps students understand how hardware and software work together.
It has the following sensors inbuilt in it- the light sensor, temperature sensor, compass(magnetometer) and accelerometer. The newer version has a touch sensor and a microphone(sound sensor) which adds to the input facility provided on the board. It has custom IDEs where programming can be done using JavaScript, Micropython, C, C++ and there is even a block coding facility that makes it easy for students without coding knowledge.
Numerous projects are possible with microbit starting from simpler ones like making a dice to complex robotic based projects. There are three code editors for micro bit.
- Microsoft MakeCode
- MicroPython, and
- Scratch
Through this students learn coding in the easiest way.
