[LINK] Micro Bit Free Computer Initiative

[Stephen Loosley]

Hi all,

In the U.K., the BBC will give out small computers free to all 11-year-olds this autumn.

Under its "Make it Digital" campaign, designed to get kids into writing software and getting hands on with electronics, the broadcaster will hand out one million of the "Micro Bit" gadgets. The name is a homage to the BBC  Micro computer designed and built by Acorn in the 1980s to kickstart a generation of bedroom programmers. 

The child-palm-sized Micro Bit hardware, aimed at all Year 7 school children, is described as a small wearable device with a 5 x 5 LED array, and can be plugged into a PC via USB to program.


Quote: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/makeitdigital/micro-bit


"The BBC launches flagship UK-wide initiative to inspire a new generation with digital technology"

Date: 12.03.2015   Last updated: 13.03.2015 at 10.54


A major BBC project, developed in pioneering partnership with over 25 organisations, will give a personal coding device free to every child in year 7 across the country - one million devices in total.

Still in development and nicknamed the Micro Bit,* it aims to give children an exciting and engaging introduction to coding, help them realise their early potential and, ultimately, put a new generation back in control of technology. It will be distributed nationwide from autumn 2015. 

The Micro Bit project builds on the legacy of the seminal BBC Micro, which was put into the majority of schools in the 1980s and was instrumental in the careers of so many of today’s technology pioneers. Computing and digital technology has become ubiquitous since then, but for many, the emphasis has shifted from creation to consumption. The Micro Bit, and the wider BBC Make it Digital initiative, aims to help redress the balance.

The device

The Micro Bit will be a small, wearable device with an LED display that children can programme in a number of ways. It will be a standalone, entry-level coding device that allows children to pick it up, plug it into a computer and start creating with it immediately.

It is designed to be a starting point to get younger children interesting in coding so they can move onto other, more complex devices in future. And the Micro Bit can even connect and communicate with these other devices, including Arduino, Galileo, Kano and Raspberry Pi, as well as other Micro Bits. This helps a child’s natural learning progression and gives them even more ways of expressing their creativity.

Supporting the curriculum

BBC and its partners recognised that a hands-on learning experience could help children grasp the new Computing curriculum in ways that other software and traditional classroom learning couldn’t. In particular, the Micro Bit can help learners develop an intuitive understanding of physical concepts in technology and computing, which helps develop complex thinking, analytical and problem-solving strategies.

Early feedback from teachers has shown that it encourages independent learning, gives pupils a strong sense of achievement, and can inspire those who are not usually interested in computers to be creative with it.

Inspirational broadcast content on CBBC and elsewhere, live BBC Learning lessons and other educational online content from the BBC and partners will help support teachers, parents and children to get the most out of the device.

Partnerships

More than 25 partners are already involved in this pioneering partnership and their drive, expertise, financial support and passion to inspire young people’s digital creativity has made the project possible. 

In addition to the formal partners, the BBC anticipates working with a wider network of informal partners to magnify the educational impact of the project.

Formal product partners who are taking the lead on design manufacture and distribution include:

    ARM
    Barclays
    element14
    Freescale Semiconductor
    Lancaster University
    Microsoft
    Nordic Semiconductor
    Samsung
    ScienceScope
    Technology Will Save Us

Formal product champions involved in outreach and educational resources include:

    Bright Future
    CISCO
    Code Club
    CoderDojo
    Code Kingdoms
    Creative Digital Solutions
    CultureTECH
    Decoded
    Institution of Engineering and Technology
    Kitronik
    London Connected Learning Centre
    Open University
    Python Software Foundation
    STEMNET
    TeenTech
    Tinder Foundation

*The project is still in development and the final name, appearance and specification is likely to change
--

Cheers, folks
Member, Victorian 
Institute of Teaching