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Microbit

Microbit Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Microbit is good and if it is the right choice for you.

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  • Microbit Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-04

Features & Specs

  1. Educational Tool

    Micro:bit is designed as an educational tool to teach coding and basic electronics, making it accessible for students, educators, and beginners.

  2. Ease of Use

    The Micro:bit platform offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop coding environment with support for block-based languages like Microsoft MakeCode and text-based languages such as Python and JavaScript.

  3. Affordability

    Micro:bit is relatively inexpensive compared to other microcontroller platforms, making it accessible for schools and hobbyists with limited budgets.

  4. Wide Range of Features

    It includes sensors, LEDs, buttons, and communication capabilities such as Bluetooth, enabling a variety of creative projects without needing additional hardware.

  5. Community Support

    Micro:bit has a large and active community, offering extensive resources, tutorials, and support for new users.

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Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Microbit and what they use it for.
  • Impl Snake For Micro:bit - Embedded async Rust on BBC Micro:bit with Embassy
    The BBC Micro:bit is a small educational board. It is equipped with an ARM Cortex-M4F nRF52833 microcontroller, a 5โจ‰5 LED matrix, 3 buttons (one of which is touch-sensitive), a microphone, a speaker, Bluetooth capabilities, and much more. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • A 15 pound computer to inspire young programmers (2011)
    [Disclaimer: I work at the BBC.] ...later on, the BBC made[0] the micro:bit[1], another ยฃ15 (well, around ยฃ15 back then for the V1) computer to inspire young programmers. Funny to think that little did the BBC know that they'd be creating their own cheap computer. [0]: Well, the BBC didn't _make_ it exactly โ€” rather, the development and manufacturing was subcontracted to third-party companies (though some people... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • And DigTech teachers willing to share?
    Https://microbit.org/ are really good in my experience too, maybe a little bit dated now and they seem to have lost momentum, but they're super cheap and providing something physical that you can actually code is pretty exciting to a lot of kids. Source: about 3 years ago
  • google developed course on Rust
    Comprehensive Rust ๐Ÿฆ€: Bare-Metal: a 1-day class on how to use Rust for bare-metal development. You will learn what no_std is and see how you can write firmware for microcontrollers (a micro:bit) and well as how to write drivers for a more powerful application processor (using Qemu). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Sony backs Raspberry Pi with fresh funding, access to A.I. chips
    Kids in the UK (and elsewhere?) can access the Micro:bit computer[0], while not the same and powerful/extendable as R Pi - it is cheap, good and plenty available. It includes a LED display and motion sensor. Kids can program it using "block coding", or write Python code that runs with the help of MicroPython[1]. [0] https://microbit.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Can you use a real computer to replace a Raspberry Pi?
    You might look at the BBC micro:bit board that was designed to teach programmaing for school-age students, and has a large tutorial system and hardware add-ons built around it. As with the Raspberry Pi, the board alone is out of stock in most places, but you can buy a mini "kit" for a few dollars more, for example at parallax in the usa for $20, in stock. When you see a jumble of parts for sale "for the pi" or... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Turn a Micro:bit into a Dreidle
    Let's use makecode to turn a micro:bit into a dreidle! - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago
  • You can't buy a Raspberry Pi right now. Why?
    You should also look at the BBC micro:bit, which was designed for teaching kids and has a whole infrastructure built around it. It is the start of the school year so might be out-of-stock in a lot of places, but usually it is available within a few weeks. For example, it is in stock at pimoroni in the UK, for about $15. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Gifting ideas for my sister who turns 18?
    An Arduino starter kit maybe? Or the BBC Microbit. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • EuroPython 2022
    Anyhoo... My aim to bring local Makers didn't really work out as intended but it was interesting to see how the guests interest were and from our Makers including MakerMeet, Northern Ireland Raspberry Jam, micro:bit. - Source: dev.to / about 4 years ago
  • Iโ€™m 13 and trying to learn python.
    If you are into stuff that moves, blinks and buzzes, buy yourself a BBC micro:bit, a pyboard or (if on short budget) ESP8266 and learn micropython. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Books for nephew(is the stackoverflow list valid still after 13 years)?
    Lippmans book is still the best intro book out there. However, I donโ€™t think heโ€™ll appreciate C++ very much at this time. Micro bit is something that is more beginner friendly https://microbit.org/. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Best android phone for app development
    I'm working on an app that connects to something called a micro:bit, and you send code to it via Bluetooth. I have it working for iOS, but I'm now developing the android version. https://microbit.org/. Source: over 4 years ago
  • My 7 yr old little brother has Autism and has been very interested in Python lately, what resources can I give him so he can learn programming completely and properly?
    The micro:bit board was designed to present programming to children starting from age 7:. Source: over 4 years ago
  • How should I introduce a kid to programming?
    Consider buying a Micro:bit (https://microbit.org/) - a fabulous little engine/chip that you can program directly, sense buttons, shake, sounds, builtin radio communication (if you have 2) etc and it can be a wearable. It has a huge collection of add-ons, lights, electronics, robots etc, codes using blocks, python (via Mu editor) and javascript, lets you control lights, has a powerful sim... Source: over 4 years ago
  • Raspberry Pi Trading plans ยฃ370m+ stock market IPO
    > I thought the whole idea was to produce boards, priced near cost, for educational/inspirational purposes? That's BBC Micro: https://microbit.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • Best starter kit for a curious 9 year old
    Maybe the BBC microbit is an option? See https://microbit.org. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • My son found this at Goodwill and it really takes me back lol.
    If you happen to be in the UK (I don't know if they export them), there is the BBC micro:bit which is entirely intended for the prospective programmer. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • BBC licence fee โ€˜in terminal decline because more will refuse to payโ€™
    It is, with the BBC micro:bit, although probably not at the same sort of scale given there are alternatives like the Rasberry Pi and Arduino. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Thought I'd make a list of all the best ways to learn Python I found on the net and help the newbies.
    For the more hands-on creative, less abstract person, I'd suggest getting a microprocessor that runs MicroPython (known as CircuitPython by Adafruit), and then you can blink leds, respond to button presses, and even send messages over wifi (e.g. With the esp32 platform). The BBC in the UK have built a whole schooling platform around the super cheap micro:bit https://microbit.org/ for example. Source: about 5 years ago
  • Teaching kids to code is not expensive. Raspberry pi's are cheaper than coffee and linux is free.
    Micro:bit - https://microbit.org Numerous coding options for the micro:bit - https://microbit.org/code/ Inksmith site (Canadian company) for low cost robots and climate kits for the micro:bit - https://www.inksmith.ca/collections/robotics. Source: over 5 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Microbit

Public Opinion on Micro:bit

The BBC Micro:bit is widely praised for its effectiveness as an educational tool designed to inspire young students in the field of programming and digital creativity. Introduced as an affordable and accessible device, the Micro:bit platform has marked its distinct presence in the educational technology domain. Here's a snapshot of public opinion and context surrounding this innovative tool.

Educational Impact

A cornerstone of Micro:bit's appeal is its commitment to fostering an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in children. It has been hailed as a "fabulous little engine" for introducing programming concepts to learners as young as seven years old. The device supports various programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and block-based code, thus catering to a broad spectrum of learning needs and preferences. Additionally, Micro:bit's integration with tools like MakeCode facilitates hands-on creativity, enabling students to engage with both software and hardware in a tangible manner.

The Micro:bit stands out for its simplicity and accessibility, allowing children to seamlessly transition from theory to practice. Its low entry barrier, combined with a comprehensive set of tutorials and projects, ensures that students can embark on a learning journey with minimal adult assistance. The open-ended nature of the projects also encourages innovation and experimentation, promoting critical thinking alongside technical skills.

Technical Features

Technically, the Micro:bit is equipped with a versatile ARM Cortex-M4F nRF52833 microcontroller, Bluetooth capabilities, and an assortment of sensors and buttons, packaged into a small board. This combination of features allows for an interactive learning experience that bridges the gap between digital and physical computing. Interactive projects, such as turning a Micro:bit into a dreidel or configuring it to work with various sensors, highlight its practical utility in learning environments.

The platform has evolved to support sophisticated programming environments, such as Rust for embedded development, further broadening its usage among more advanced users interested in real-time applications.

Community and Accessibility

The Micro:bit ecosystem benefits from extensive community support, with educators and developers contributing resources and sharing experiences to enhance the tool's educational efficacy. While some mention it has perhaps lost momentum over time, it remains a practical and widespread option, evident in comments that point out its continued availability for a nominal price, even as a mini kit for complete beginners.

Comparison to Competitors

Micro:bit competes with alternatives like Raspberry Pi and Arduino, offering a unique proposition through its ease of use and specific focus on education. Although not as powerful or extendable as its competitors, particularly the Raspberry Pi, it retains a distinct advantage with its focus on programming education and physical computing platforms designed specifically for school curriculums. Its cost-effectiveness and functionality make it a popular starter kit, making it a suitable fit for educational purposes without overwhelming young users with complexity.

In conclusion, the Micro:bit has garnered a favorable opinion due to its balanced offering of technical features and educational resources, making it a formidable tool in the landscape of kids' education and tech productivity. The device's emphasis on interactive learning, combined with its affordable price point, ensures that it continues to inspire and educate budding programmers around the world.

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Is Microbit good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Microbit here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.