Blog 6 Week 7 - Micro:bit

(Micro:bit Educational Foundation)

In today's digital society, creativity can be used in vast new areas. Children have more access than ever to various technological tools, such as Micro:bit. Micro:bit is a pocket-sized programmable computer that introduces students to how software and hardware work together (Micro:bit Educational Foundation, 2021). This technology can be used to teach coding and develop students' digital creativity when using the computer.

Micro:bit can encourage children to engage in hands-on learning building knowledge of technology and learning many skills of coding. Micro:bit provides an interactive and visual way for students to code which makes this easier for them to understand these unknown concepts. Using micro:bit in the classroom can improve students learning and development of computational thinking skills which are essential for problem-solving in the modern age of technology, especially with STEM subjects (Lu et al., 2022).

Furthermore, Micro:bit is a beneficial tool for collaborative-based learning as students have the opportunity to work together to create digital projects that can relate to real-world scenarios. Setting tasks for students where they have to work together to create a design that solves an everyday problem will encourage students to think creatively to come up with unique solutions using Micro:bit (Lu et al., 2022). This will allow students to build their teamwork and communication skills as well as develop a growth mindset as they will need to embrace failure and use it as an opportunity to learn.

However, Micro:bit although it is highly useful, it is important that teachers also have a thorough understanding of the computer. Teachers require proper training to effectively integrate Micro:bit into the classroom. This can draw setbacks for some schools as not all teachers are comfortable learning and using new technologies and therefore will require further support to embed this in their lessons. With this further training teachers and students have a greater ability to develop their knowledge and understanding of coding and programmable computers like this.

(Photo by author)

When using Micro:bit for the first time it felt challenging to work out the programming of the software and hardware together but once that was understood it was incredibly rewarding knowing I had created a functional design and model. I feel that this is something that would be very useful for students to learn especially in the digital world we live in today.

Using Micro:bit provides students to find a new and creative way to combat real-world problems which can further foster their digital creativity and learning in the classroom.

(Video by Author)

(Video by Author)

References:

Lu, Lo, C.-C., & Syu, J.-Y. (2022). Project-based learning oriented STEAM: the case of micro–bit paper-cutting lamp. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 32(5), 2553–2575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-021-09714-1

Micro:bit Educational Foundation. (2021). Introducing the BBC micro:bit. Micro:Bit. https://microbit.org/get-started/first-steps/introduction/#:~:text=The%20BBC%20micro%3Abit%20is,with%20you%20and%20your%20world.