BBC Micro:bit in Practice


Book Description

Develop real-world interactive physical computing applications using the Micro:bit with more than 100 MicroPython examples with circuit diagrams Key FeaturesExplore hardware programming and leverage the power of the BBC Micro:bit and MicroPythonBuild real-life creative projects step by step with each chapter increasing in complexity and interactivityLearn the features of the Micro:bit and how to interface it with electronic components through circuits and code examplesBook Description This book is a one-stop guide for learning BBC Micro:bit with MicroPython, exploring many hardware components and programming techniques to provide detailed insights into developing practical applications with the Micro:bit. It will also show you how hardware components can be manipulated using a combination of Micro:bit and MicroPython for developing practical projects. BBC Micro:bit in Practice will help you gain a holistic understanding of the BBC Micro:bit platform and MicroPython programming, guiding you through mini projects aimed at developing practical knowledge of circuit design and writing programs. You'll learn how to write programs for working with built-in LEDs and buttons, interfacing external LEDs, buttons, motors, buzzers, and much more. You'll also work with built-in radio, speakers, accelerometer, and a compass. You'll dive into concepts related to the Micro:bit filesystem, interfacing external displays, and working with libraries in detail before exploring sewable circuits and wearable technology. After reading this Micro:bit book, you'll understand how to apply principles in electronics and MicroPython to create interesting real-life projects from scratch. What you will learnExplore the essentials of the BBC Micro:bit, its hardware specifications, and versionsProgram built-in and external LEDs and buttonsProgram external LED-based displays, buzzers, and stepper motorsUse analog input and pulse width modulation to drive a servo motorDetect gestures with internal sensors such as accelerometer, compass, and magnetometerWork on projects with built-in features such as music, speech, radio, and filesystemExplore the advanced features of the Micro:bitWho this book is for This book is for anyone who wants to use the combination of MicroPython and the BBC Micro:bit for building exciting real-life projects. Engineers, researchers, hobbyists, and technology instructors working in areas such as embedded systems, electronics, software development, IoT, robotics, teaching, and training will find this book useful for building projects. Prior experience with building basic electronic circuits and any programming language, not necessarily MicroPython, will be helpful.




The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide


Book Description

The go-to guide to getting started with the BBC micro:bit and exploring all of its amazing capabilities. The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized electronic development platform built with education in mind. It was developed by the BBC in partnership with major tech companies, communities, and educational organizations to provide kids with a fun, easy, inexpensive way to develop their digital skills. With it, kids (and grownups) can learn basic programming and coding while having fun making virtual pets, developing games, and a whole lot more. Written by internationally bestselling tech author Gareth Halfacree and endorsed by the Micro:bit Foundation, The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide contains what you need to know to get up and running fast with the BBC micro:bit. Learn everything from taking your first steps with the BBC micro:bit to writing your own programs. You'll also learn how to expand its capabilities with add-ons through easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Set up your BBC micro:bit and develop your digital skills Write code in JavaScript Blocks, JavaScript, and Python Discover the BBC micro:bit’s built-in sensors Connect the BBC micro:bit to a Raspberry Pi to extend its capabilities Build your own circuits and create hardware The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide is your go-to source for learning all the secrets of the BBC micro:bit. Whether you're just beginning or have some experience, this book allows you to dive right in and experience everything the BBC micro:bit has to offer.










Primary Computing and Digital Technologies: Knowledge, Understanding and Practice


Book Description

What do you need to know to teach computing in primary schools? How do you teach it? This book offers practical guidance on how to teach the computing curriculum in primary schools, coupled with the subject knowledge needed to teach it. This Seventh Edition is a guide to teaching the computing content of the new Primary National Curriculum. It includes many more case studies and practical examples to help you see what good practice in teaching computing looks like. It also explores the use of ICT in the primary classroom for teaching all curriculum subjects and for supporting learning in every day teaching. New chapters have been added on physical computing and coding and the importance of web literacy, bringing the text up-to-date. Computing is both a subject and a powerful teaching and learning tool throughout the school curriculum and beyond into many areas of children’s learning lives. This book highlights the importance of supporting children to become discerning and creative users of digital technologies as opposed to passive consumers.




ESSAY: The Creativity Debate: Talent or Practice – What Matters More?


Book Description

Every day millions upon millions of children and students attend schools and educational centres all over the world. They go to school with expectations to learn something new, to get a new experience and most of all to express and celebrate their uniqueness. Do their teachers think about their creativity? On the creativity continuum, there are two extremes "he or she is born creative, gifted and talented" on the one end, and on the other end is "he or she has been exposed and trained by very smart parents and teachers". Read about one of the theories - the "systems approach" - which originated from Positive Psychology and according to Csikszentmihalyi (1999a). The 'flow' state is an optimal state of intrinsic motivation. This essay considers and discusses the creativity debate. The author considers creativity (education) in a New Zealand context. He continues to consider his practice as a Design and Visual Communication teacher. APA referencing included (academic paper). An easy read!




How to Teach Computer Science: Parable, practice and pedagogy


Book Description

This book is for new or aspiring computer science teachers wishing to improve their subject knowledge and gain confidence in the classroom. And it's for experienced computer science teachers who wish to hone their practice, in particular in the areas of explicit instruction, tackling misconceptions and exploring pedagogical content knowledge. You will read some of the backstory to our subject – the "hinterland" – those fascinating journeys into history that make the subject come alive and place it in historical context. These stories will help you to enrich your lessons, cement core knowledge, develop cultural capital and help you excite a life-long love for the subject. We will go beyond the mark scheme to explore the subject knowledge behind the answers, giving you the confidence to discuss the field in greater depth, enabling you to use explicit instruction methods: presenting skills and concepts clearly and directly enabling student mastery. We will explore misconceptions that arise when teaching our subject, so you can "head them off at the pass". And we will look at teaching ideas – the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) – exploring the helpful analogies, questions and activities that work for each topic: practices that can be lifted and dropped straight into the classroom to immediately enhance your teaching. Trainee or pre-service teachers, NQTs and early-career teachers will find this book invaluable, experienced teachers will find it inspiring, and all will benefit from a fresh look at the hinterland and subject pedagogy that makes computer science a fascinating subject to teach.




Programming with MicroPython


Book Description

It’s an exciting time to get involved with MicroPython, the re-implementation of Python 3 for microcontrollers and embedded systems. This practical guide delivers the knowledge you need to roll up your sleeves and create exceptional embedded projects with this lean and efficient programming language. If you’re familiar with Python as a programmer, educator, or maker, you’re ready to learn—and have fun along the way. Author Nicholas Tollervey takes you on a journey from first steps to advanced projects. You’ll explore the types of devices that run MicroPython, and examine how the language uses and interacts with hardware to process input, connect to the outside world, communicate wirelessly, make sounds and music, and drive robotics projects. Work with MicroPython on four typical devices: PyBoard, the micro:bit, Adafruit’s Circuit Playground Express, and ESP8266/ESP32 boards Explore a framework that helps you generate, evaluate, and evolve embedded projects that solve real problems Dive into practical MicroPython examples: visual feedback, input and sensing, GPIO, networking, sound and music, and robotics Learn how idiomatic MicroPython helps you express a lot with the minimum of resources Take the next step by getting involved with the Python community




Micro:bit for Mad Scientists


Book Description

Build your own secret laboratory with 30 coding and electronic projects! The BBC micro:bit is a tiny, cheap, yet surprisingly powerful computer that you can use to build cool things and experiment with code. The 30 simple projects and experiments in this book will show you how to use the micro:bit to build a secret science lab complete with robots, door alarms, lie detectors, and more--as you learn basic coding and electronics skills. Here are just some of the projects you'll build: A "light guitar" you can play just by moving your fingers A working lie detector A self-watering plant care system A two-wheeled robot A talking robotic head with moving eyes A door alarm made with magnets Learn to code like a Mad Scientist!




Beginning BBC micro:bit


Book Description

Learn essential concepts and techniques to build simple-to-advanced projects and overcome common programming challenges in micro:bit development. Beginning BBC micro:bit will take you through the complete features and capabilities of the micro:bit controller, enabling you to program and build your own projects. The uses are endless for the micro:bit and this books will help get you started on building your next project with this popular and easy-to-use microcontroller. You'll use online Python Editor and Mu Editor to build your own applications. Reviewed by the micro:bit developer team, this comprehensive guide also provides clean code examples to help you learn the key concepts behind the micro:bit API. What You’ll Learn Work with the various kits and accessories Master the micro:bit development platform with easy to follow examples and clean code Build your own micro:bit applications using an online Python editor and Mu editor Use the on-board LED matrix, built-in buttons, I/O pins, accelerometer, and compass Learn how to connect and communicate with devices through I2C, SPI, and UART Build applications with music and speech libraries Use Local Persistent File System to store and manipulate files Build applications based on wired and radio networks Use micro:bit and micro:bit Blue apps Who This Book Is For Beginners, those already experienced with electronics, and hobbyists at all levels looking to get started with a new microcontroller.