How the Micro:bit fits in with the curriculum
Using the Micro:bit is a beneficial and practical way for children to understand coding through Physical Computing. As the Micro:bit can be used for many different activites, this can ensure that children cover many of the objectives set within the National Curriculum’s Computing Programme of Study.
This equips children with an understanding of how computers, especially physical devices, surround us in the everyday world; ensuring that deep-meaningful links are created during Computing learning.
The ideas explaining how to use the Micro:bit within this site, provides lesson activities and suggestions to support children’s learning and development within Computing. All of these ideas of using the BBC Micro:bit within Computing lessons, which follow the guidance of the National Curriculum, provide opportunity for children to experience relevant physical computing:
KS1
- Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following precise and ambiguous instructions.
- Create and debug simple programs.
- Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs.
KS2
- Design, write and debug programs that accomplish a specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solving problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.
- Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output.
- Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs.
Cross-Curricular Links
Not only can the BBC Micro:bit be used within Computing, it can be used through cross-curricular learning. This adaptable piece of hardware can create links throughout topics to ensure that Computing can display meaningful connections through other subjects which helps to portray the subject’s everyday uses.
Design Technology
The Micro:bit opens up opportunities for D.T. to become involved within the computer game focus. Having the children design controllers for their Micro:bit to be inserted into, provides a focus for the children to create something with a purpose.
This links with the aims of the Design and Technology’s Programme of Study, allowing children to:
- Design and making a product that that fits the given purpose of creating a controller that fits the size and shape of the Micro:bit. – can link around their own characters.
- Children can investigate and research other products and other controllers available, evaluating their effectiveness to help with children’s designs.
- The controller can be made methods made through a variety of different methods and/or created to accomplish a aesthetically pleasing look with a range of different materials and decorations (e.g: foam, card or 3D printing a box and lid.)
* The basic, example game-controller box-design can be download and 3D printed from the following box and lid templates.
Art & Design
Using Scratch and creating the children’s own programmable games provides opportunities for the children to design and create their own sprites (characters) and scenes. Offering the chance to design their own characters and backgrounds that they would like to use when creating their own game, gives they pupils a chance to develop their ideas and support them when actually creating them in a Computing lesson.
This links with the aims of the Art and Designs’ Programme of Study, allowing children to:
- Research into game designers and characters designs can be done and looking at the history of computer art.
- Characters and background designs can be created through a range of mediums, using a variety of techniques.
- Designing the controller and use a variety of techniques and materials to create their controllers – Linking with DT.
Here are some examples of sprites and backgrounds that have been designed:
