Coding
Make programming lessons more productive
Easily manage students’ work when programming the BBC micro:bit .
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that, when programmed, let it interact with you and your world.
The new micro:bit with sound adds a built-in microphone and speaker, as well as an extra touch input button and a power button. Find out more in this video:
What You Need
- A micro:bit and battery pack with 2 AAA batteries
- A computer, phone or tablet with internet access to load the Microsoft MakeCode or Python code editors
- If you’re using a computer, a USB lead to connect your micro:bit
- For building and making projects with your micro:bit, some extra items that are great to have include headphones, crocodile clip leads and conductive materials such as aluminum foil and paper clips
Learn how computers work
The micro:bit helps you understand how computers work. When you type on your laptop or touch the screen on your phone, you’re using an input device. Inputs allow computers to sense things happening in the real world, so they can act on this and make something happen, usually on an output like a screen or headphones.
In between the input and the output, there is the processor. This takes information from inputs like buttons, and makes something happen on outputs, like playing a song in your headphones.
These videos explain how the micro:bit’s inputs, outputs and processor work just like the ones on your phone or computer:
Input and output devices
micro:bit processor
The new BBC micro:bit
With five million micro:bits already used for teaching digital skills and computational thinking, the updated micro:bit is set to add even more opportunities for learning, exploration and creativity in classrooms.
The new micro:bit is available to buy at the same price point and you can visit the buy page to find out if it is available in your area.
Sense and react to sound with the built-in microphone
Capacitive touch sensor
(a bit like your phone!)
Power saving mode
More computing power
“You have all obviously been listening to the community… the addition of the speaker and mic is a gamechanger!”
Joachim Choen, New South Wales, Australia
Meet the latest micro:bit
Sensing and making sound
New micro:bit is here!
With five million micro:bits already used for teaching digital skills and computational thinking, the updated micro:bit is set to add even more opportunities for learning, exploration and creativity in classrooms.
The new micro:bit is available to buy at the same price point and you can contact us to find out if it is available in your area.
What you can do with it
With the built-in speaker, microphone and touch sensor on the new micro:bit, there are even more exciting things you can add to your projects.
“This is extremely exciting news, I can’t wait to get this into our classrooms!“
Shaina Glass, Aldine Independent School District, Texas, USA
Clap hearts
Clap your hands to make the heart beat using the sound sensor
Bumblebee
Fly your bumblebee to see how motion affects the frequency, tempo and volume of its sound
Hold the note
Keep singing to make all the LEDs light up. Let’s have some fun
Mimic
Talk to your micro:bit and listen to it mimic the rhythm of your speech