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User guide: micro:bit classroom

User guide

micro:bit classroom

Run whole class sessions, easily share code with students and save progress

You can use micro:bit classroom to run a live code session with your class using Microsoft MakeCode or the micro:bit Python Editor. No registration or accounts are necessary for either teacher or student.

Start a new session quickly

Either choose 'New blank session' from the micro:bit classroom home page or start a session by selecting the 'Open in classroom' button in projects or lessons on the micro:bit website.

As part of the set up process you can:

  • Name your session
  • Choose whether students will be working with MakeCode or the micro:bit Python editor
  • Edit the starter code that students see when they join the session
Screenshot of the new session setup screen

Students join easily (no accounts needed)

Students join easily via a link or by entering a classroom name and password. Access these from the 'Invite' menu once you have started the session (or in the left hand column if no students have joined yet).

Note that the link and classroom name and password are likely to change if you continue a session at a later time.

Screenshot show where to find the link or joining details in micro:bit classroomScreenshot showing example of joining details

Share code with your students

You can edit the code students see when they join as part of setting up a new session.

You can also send code (from your coding space or any of the students') to one or more students at any time. Although, beware, this will overwrite the code they already have.

Screenshot highlighting the 'Send code' optionScreenshot showing the 'Send code' dialog box

View and edit students' code

Select individual students and see their code as they write it. If they get stuck, you can edit their code, try it in the simulator or download it to your micro:bit. You can even share any changes you make back to the student.

Note that any code you share with the student will overwrite the code they already have.

Screenshot highlighting the link to edit a student's codeScreenshot showing the teacher editing a student's code

Save student code for review

Download a copy of the students' code as a word document by choosing 'Save session report' from the Save menu. This contains images (MakeCode) or text (Python) of each student's code in a single report.

Screenshot highlighting button to download session report.

Save the whole session to continue at a later date

Your most recent classroom session will be automatically saved in your browser's temporary storage. Simply continue the session by selecting it from the home page. When you continue a saved session, students can rejoin and continue coding from where they left off.

Screenshot of the home page indicating the open last session option

To keep a permanent copy, choose 'Save session as a file' from the save menu or when you choose 'End session' choose 'Save and end'. This will save a file to your local computer. To continue with the session later, select 'Continue a saved session' link on the micro:bit classroom home page and choose the downloaded file. This is particularly useful if you run sessions with different classes or on different computers or browsers.

Screenshot of how to save classroom to continue later

Students save their work to continue outside micro:bit classroom

Students are also encouraged to download their own project to their local computer at the end of the session. This is useful if they would like to continue coding between sessions.

Screenshot showing message students see when they leave a session.

If they download their project to their local computer they can move the file to their preferred location (such as into cloud storage if they have access to it). They can then open it in MakeCode or the micro:bit Python editor outside classroom to continue working on it between classes. Similarly they can open it within micro:bit classroom again at the start of the next session by dragging and dropping the downloaded hex file onto the coding area inside micro:bit classroom once they have joined.

Screenshot showing opening where to import the downloaded file in MakeCode
Try micro:bit classroom