The Reference section makes it easy to discover what Python and the micro:bit can do, like browsing blocks in MakeCode or Scratch.

Easily discovering the potential of the micro:bit hardware and writing software in Python boosts your students' creativity.

Students can drag working examples of code straight into the editor and test them out straight away. This saves time and helps overcome barriers caused by lack of keyboard skills and the need to remember precise syntax.

Blocks of colour show the structure of your students' Python programs, which helps with the design, planning and testing phases of their project. It's easier to understand the flow of a program when you can easily see which lines of code belong in a loop or 'if... then' statement, for example.

We know students new to Python can find indentations confusing, so clear lines help with debugging, making it easy to spot if code is not correctly aligned.

Errors are a normal part of coding. Symbols by the line number help you and your students identify bugs and fix them before sending code to a micro:bit. You can hover over the circle in the margin to see an explanation of the error.

Fear of a blank screen and not knowing what to type are two of the biggest barriers to starting text-based coding.

So, as you type, the editor makes suggestions which you can pick by clicking or pressing the enter key. This saves time, saves typing errors and saves students having to remember precise syntax.

It's also another way of discovering what Python and the micro:bit can do, for example by seeing more options for built-in images.

Students can test their code out using the simulator before sending it to a real micro:bit.

This helps them develop, test, debug and evaluate their code and means they can work on projects even when they don't have access to a micro:bit device.

Don't forget to explore the Ideas tab which contains complete working programs your students can use straight away, then modify to make their own. You'll find an emotion badge, step counter, radio, and sound projects.

Full project in the Ideas tab (7), working code examples in the Reference (2), and options that pop up as you type (5) mean your students can get coding, experimenting and creating straight away.

The editor makes language and device features easily discoverable using the Reference section (1) and auto-completion of code (5).

Greater awareness of the features of Python and the micro:bit means students spend less time searching, and more time thinking creatively in solving coding challenges.

Code snippets (2) you can drag and drop into code and valid options offered as you type (5) mean students have less to type and remember. This means their code is more likely to run first time, so they can spend more time creating and less time debugging typing errors.

The simulator (6) allows students to test and evaluate code quickly in the editor before transferring to a real micro:bit, speeding up iterative design work.

Indentation highlighting (3), lines, and blocks of colour make it easier to visualise and understand the structure and flow of code.

Debugging is an essential skill, made easier in the micro:bit Python Editor through error highlighting (4), code structure highlighting (3) to aid fixing indentation errors, and testing in the simulator (6). Error messages from your micro:bit device can also be examined in the serial console.

All of these features are designed to enable students to get more practice doing real programming in the precious classroom time available and empower teachers to spend less time fixing small mistakes and more time teaching core concepts.