Practice Description

Learning to code with BBC micro:bits

by - added on 05 Feb 2021

Brief description:
By using the interactive video guides of Skills Dojo we have created a 2-hours-long workshop to introduce programming to children with BBC micro:bits in a playful way. During the workshop children learn about basic terms, program their name in light, create a stone-paper-scissors game with microbit, and make a micro pet that reacts to kinetic stimuli.
Photos:
Countries:
(where the practice takes place)
Not taking place at a specific country
Cities:
(where the practice takes place)
Not taking place at a specific city
Organization name:
(running the practice)
Organization type:
Nonprofit
Contact person:
Gabriella Tisza
Contact email:
(for further information and inquiries)
g.tisza@tue.nl
Social media:
Related resources:
(e.g., web site, publications,media)
Participants’ age groups:
7 - 12
Indicative number of participants:
Number independent
Oriented to a specific gender?
No
Frequency:
(for the same group of participants)
Single-occasion
Total duration:
(for the same group of participants)
2 hours
Location:
(where the practice takes place)
  • Classroom, formal learning space, etc.
  • Community lab, FabLab, non-formal learning space, etc.
  • Museum, science centre, outreach centre, library, zoo, etc.
  • Fair, contest, challenge, conferences, seminars, events, etc.
  • Online
What are the role(s) of the adult(s) running the practice?
  • Facilitator
  • Mentor / Guide
  • Maker/coder/scientist
During the practice, participants…
  • Make
  • Play
  • Code
Participants work…
  • Alone
  • In pairs
  • All together / there is no particular grouping
    • What type of materials do participants use?
    • Pen and paper
    • Computers
    • Tablets
    • Other: BBC micro:bits
    Pedagogical approach:
    • Project (or task)-based learning
    • Discovery-learning
    • Creative thinking
    Social justice/equity approaches:
    • Free events/funding for those from low-income groups
    Does the practice have (explicit or implicit) learning objectives?
    		Explicit: To learn to code with micro:bits
    Is the practice (explicitly or implicitly) connected to school curricula?
    		No
    If connected in any way to school curricula, which subjects are covered?
    Does the practice aim to have an impact on the engagement / interest of participants with a particular scientific topic, concept, phenomena, theory or career?
    		Yes: Improve interest in programming
    Does the practice aim to have an impact on the attitude of participants with a particular scientific topic, concept, phenomena, theory, or career?
    		Yes: Attitude change about programming
    Does the practice aim to have an impact on the behavior of participants related to a particular scientific topic, concept, phenomena, theory, or career?
    		No
    Does the practice aim to have an impact on the development / reinforcement / practice of skills of participants?
    		Yes: Programming skills
    Additional notes: