Learn coding with...

[Taffycat]

The BBC Micro Bit.

Initially, every Year-7 child in the UK will receive a BBC Micro Bit, which, it is hoped, will inspire them to start coding.

After the (free) roll-out, it is planned to offer the Micro Bit for general sale, although as yet, the price has not been announced.

The Micro Bit itself is a circuit board measuring just 50x40mm with two buttons and an array of 25 red LEDs in a 5x5 arrangement.

Kids can program the board via a web-based interface to do many things, including flashing up numbers, letters and scrolling messages on the LEDs. Plus, since there’s a built-in accelerometer and compass, it can detect movement and tell which way it’s pointing.

The buttons can control games, or even control music playback on another device such as a phone.

For now the price is £0. A million Micro Bits will be given to schools for Year 7 pupils.

More info and pics here: www.pcadvisor.co.uk

 

[muckshifter]

hmmm ... deja vu

 

[Ian]

That's pretty clever! Programming is going to be increasingly important to understand (at least at a basic level), so it's good to know that there's a practical way for kids to get interested in it. .

I've got very fond memories of the original BBC Micro .

 

[Anon_F]

This will probably come out at at the end of 2016 & be the number 1 best seller at xmas!
Sorry for the cynical approach but for once I hope it is true as this is a great little gadget to use/own.

 

[Becky]

Initially, every Year-7 child in the UK will receive a BBC Micro Bit, which, it is hoped, will inspire them to start coding.

Excellent idea Certainly makes sense for people to understand how technology works, and the best way to make that happen is to start at a young age.

 

[Anon_F]

Get them into coding young in life and you have them forever coding.

 

[bootneck02]

This old codger can only remember paper and pencil when I was at School in the 1950's, so much has changed in the intervening years which was so unimaginable in those days.

 

[Jade Roberts]

I think this is a great idea, kids pick up new skills quickly so it is definitely better to get them when they're young. Unfortunately, I am not that young but would like to learn how to code - anyone got any tips for oldie?

 

[Becky]

I think this is a great idea, kids pick up new skills quickly so it is definitely better to get them when they're young. Unfortunately, I am not that young but would like to learn how to code - anyone got any tips for oldie?

You should try Code Academy, it's great!

https://www.codecademy.com/

Start with HTML & CSS and see where it takes you from there

 

[Jade Roberts]

Thank you!

 

[Jade Roberts]

Looks good, is it free? Have you used it before?

 

[Becky]

Looks good, is it free? Have you used it before?

It is free to use, but you can pay a monthly subscription and get extra projects, quizzes, tutorials etc. I've been using it over the past few months - I've done HTML/CSS and am nearly finished with Javascript, but recently I've been busy and haven't had time to work on it. From what I've seen I really like it though

 

[Jade Roberts]

Good to know, I'll check it out! A new project for the wekeend
Thanks for the tip

 

[bootneck02]

Does this work in Linux Mint?

 

[Urmas]

In Finland, starting fall 2016, coding is a mandatory, cross curricular activity that starts from first year of school. Coding becomes another learning skill for pupils to utilize when appropriate.

http://legroup.aalto.fi/2015/11/coding-in-school-finland-takes-lead-in-europe/