New support for teachers launched today
Classroom resources and professional development designed to help teachers build confidence with the micro:bit
copyright, Micro:bit Education Foundation
Today sees the launch of new teacher resources and professional development courses from the Micro:bit Educational Foundation. The micro:bit website has been updated to include a new section microbit.org/teach where you can find all the new content.
Classroom resources
New resources include motivational and inspirational content such as posters, subject knowledge display labels and reward certificates, as well as handouts to support vocabulary learning and the algorithmic planning process.
Add the micro:bit to your computing lessons
If you already have computing topics planned and want to give the micro:bit a go, we’ve selected micro:bit projects relevant to popular primary computing concepts and topics.
Projects to deepen understanding with physical computing:
- Variables
- Inputs and outputs
- Selection and sensors
Projects range from those suitable for absolute beginners to those with more experience of the micro:bit.
micro:bit projects for teaching popular computing topics
Live webinars and code-alongs in the UK
We are running free webinars and student code-alongs for primary teachers in the UK who want to use the micro:bit in the classroom.
Starting in May, webinars for teachers are on:
- Getting started with the micro:bit
- Inputs and outputs
- How to use the micro:bit in cross-curricular lessons
Student code-alongs give your class the opportunity to learn some coding and connect with other students across the UK. The first student code-along will be held in June. Your class will be guided through each of the steps required to code an activity picker. There will be fun games, class shout outs and each student will come away having written some code.
Read more on webinars and code-alongs
copyright, Micro:bit Education Foundation
New professional development courses
The micro:bit Professional Development courses are designed to take the stress out of your computing responsibilities. They are aimed at teachers and educators supporting primary/elementary students.
Using concise and friendly videos, our courses cover the principles of computer science and practical tips for teaching computational thinking and programming concepts with the micro:bit.
Courses are short and you can take them at a time and place to suit you. All courses are free and are accessed via the learning platform Thinkific.
Course titles at launch:
- Meet the tiny computer
- Introducing loops
- Animation artist
- Controlling physical systems with sensors
Find out more about micro:bit Professional Development courses
UK primary project
The UK primary project is a programme run by the Micro:bit Educational Foundation designed to have impact on digital skills and computing education in the UK’s primary schools. It includes a three-year research study to understand the impact of teaching with the micro:bit and provides a donation of 22,000 micro:bits for primary schools alongside a programme of resources and live webinars for teachers and students.
In addition to this all schools in Scotland will receive micro:bits with funding from the Scottish Government.
Nominet Social Impact
Nominet Social Impact funds the UK primary project. Nominet’s Social Impact programmes provide support and opportunities to tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people in the UK today.
