MICROPROCESSOR, MACRO SCALE: On March 22,the BBC shipped the first of its tiny micro:bit coding devices to one million students in year seven (ages 11-13) across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, according to the outlet. The micro:bit computer contains a central processing unit, accelerometer, magnetometer, LED display, two buttons and connectivity to both USB and Bluetooth. Its hardware is open-source and designed for students with no technical experience to be able to use and customize it.
The BBC has also launched code editors, resources and tutorials for teachers to integrate the micro:bit into their lessons. The aim of the ambitious project, the news organization said, is to inspire a generation of "digital pioneers." The device is part of the BBC's Make It Digital initiative and continues the work of the BBC Micro, another microprocessor released in the 1980s. Micro:bits will become available for anyone to purchase in the coming weeks.
