Micro:bit with Scratch can be used as a meaningful context, across the curriculum in various ways: designing or adapting sprites in a game in art;  positioning and using co-ordinates  in geometry; instruction writing in literacy and so on…However, a strong and clear link can be made with Design and Technology which I have focused on within this page, in the context of creating controllers.

Creating a controller

Below shows the process I used to create a steering wheel controller. I had access to a workshop with machines and tools to create this. The controller would be unlikely to be re-produced by students in school due to time, equipment, health and safety etc. I would argue that the benefit of having a singular versatile controller such as this one would be well worth the time and effort to create, if possible.

The controller could be used for:

• Demonstrations
  • After debugging or creating code with the pupils on the interactive whiteboard, you or a pupil could model the use of the controller and use it as part of problem solving as a class.
• Positive reinforcement
  • A child who had shown stand-out effort, behaviour or skill in a computing session could be rewarded by getting to use the “teacher’s controller” during sessions or during some choosing time (free time, golden time), if they wished.
• Modelling
  • Children could use this steering wheel as a model when creating their own. Giving them an idea of shape, size and suitability. (See Design and Technology below for ideas)
• Other games!
  • By creating a steering wheel, more interactive games or videos can be created and adapted by using the stimulus of having a steering wheel.
    • Cars, planes, boats, steering, driving, moving, directing, avoiding, picking up objects- some example themes that can be adapted to one controller! Enough ideas to fuel a mid term plan!

Design and Technology

Here is a link to the National Curriculum Design and Technology programmes of study: Key stage 1 and 2. You can link computing to the design and technology curriculum through the making of controllers.

Aims taken from the curriculum include-

• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday
  tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
•  build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design
  and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
•  critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others

(Taken from the National Curriculum Design and Technology programmes of study: Key stage 1 and 2, 2013)

 

Below are some example steering wheels I created using various materials that could be accessed in the classroom and adapted for different age groups and abilities. In all the examples I have used the controller above as a model for my main design. Within the post are examples of lesson ideas and links to the design and technology curriculum. The step by step pictures shown could also be valuable for pupils who find it difficult to follow instructions or would benefit a whole class as a demonstration or reminder. These examples also give opportunities for pupils to evaluate their work and test their product when using it with Scratch.

Polystyrene plate controller

This plate took minutes to transform into a wheel.  This would be suitable for any age group. I used a pen and my fingers to create handle holes and so this would be beneficial for students who struggle with fine motor skills. One plate felt strong but you could stick two together to create a stronger wheel if you were planning to use them over many lessons. As they are can be made quickly, cheaply and easily, these would also make good prototypes.

This was created using:

• 1 polystyrene plate
• Double sided tape/ sticky foam
• a pen/scissors
• a hole punch (optional)

Instructions-

1- Draw around your Micro:bit in the center of the plate

2-Sketch out the cut out parts that will form the handles

3- Using a pen (or scissors), roughly drag the tip over the sketched lines, to create a break in the polystyrene

4- Go over this line again and begin to use your fingers to break away the polystyrene

5- Decorate your plate to your own taste! (Picture below shows hole punching to create a repeat pattern and imitate a steering wheel with holes)

6- Stick on your Micro:bit

Paper plate controller

The paper plate controller was harder to cut than the polystyrene plate and so some pupils may need more time to create this. Paper plates are accessible for the classroom and as they are paper they offer a wide range of art and design opportunities such as paint, glitter, pens, crayons, oil pastels or colouring pencils. Paper plates would also make a suitable prototype for design. The plates are not strong and so it may be advisable to stick 2 or 3 together for each controller. This may require some heavy duty cutting or creating wheel templates so the pupils can cut one plate at a time.

This was created using:

• 3 paper plates
• Double sided tape/ sticky foam
• a pen/scissors
• colouring pens and glitter (optional)

Instructions-

1- Draw around your Micro:bit in the center of the plate

2-Sketch out the cut out parts that will form the handles

3- Using scissors create a hole to begin to cut out the handle holes

4- (if you are doing the plates separately: complete step 3 for the other plates using your first plate as a template, then stick the plates together)

5- Decorate your plate to your own taste!

6- Stick on your Micro:bit

 

Cake board controller

The cake board steering wheel is an design idea that could be used for upper key stage two children as a design and technology project alongside their computing sessions. I would recommend this for key stage two, or similar projects, as it would require the use of design tools. Similar controllers could be made with pieces of wood, cardboard or clay.

This was created using:

• 1 cake board
• Double sided tape/ sticky foam
• a scalpel
• Black tape (optional- could use other tape or material to re-cover the new shape of the board)

*This design is just a prototype for a project. Thinner cake boards could create easier methods of cutting and produce a better, cleaner design.*

Instructions-

1- Draw around your Micro:bit in the center of the board

2-Sketch out the cut out parts that will form the handles

3- Using a scalpel create the holes for the handles

4- Decorate your plate to your own taste!

5- Stick on your Micro:bit