{"id":171471,"date":"2015-05-28T11:52:03","date_gmt":"2015-05-28T11:52:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/project\/the-bbc-microbit-and-microsoft\/"},"modified":"2023-11-28T10:36:15","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T18:36:15","slug":"the-bbc-microbit-and-microsoft","status":"publish","type":"msr-project","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/project\/the-bbc-microbit-and-microsoft\/","title":{"rendered":"The BBC micro:bit and Microsoft"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/codethemicrobit.com\">Try our Block\/JavaScript editor!<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The BBC and partners, including Microsoft, announce the BBC micro:bit \u2013 a pocket-sized, codeable computer that allows children to get creative with technology. Nearly 1 million micro:bits were given to every 11 or 12 year old child in Year 7 or equivalent across the UK in 2016, for free.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Introducing the BBC micro:bit - BBC Make It Digital\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/Wuza5WXiMkc?feature=oembed&rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThe simple truth is, being a maker matters. Real computing, doing not just consuming, will drive a creative revolution in this country. That\u2019s why as a key partner in Make it Digital, Microsoft is helping to give a programmable micro:bit device to every year seven child in the country.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p align=\"left\">Michel Van der Bel, UK CEO, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Microsoft<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p align=\"left\">\t\t\t<div class=\"moray-accordion\" data-show=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn-group align-items-center mb-g float-sm-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"group\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-mount=\"collapse-controls\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-bi-aN=\"accordion-collapse-controls\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-target=\"#accordion-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-link m-0\" aria-disabled=\"false\" aria-pressed=\"false\" data-action=\"expand\" type=\"button\" data-bi-cN=\"Expand all\">Expand all<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span aria-hidden=\"true\"> | <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-link m-0\" aria-disabled=\"false\" aria-pressed=\"false\" data-action=\"collapse\" type=\"button\" data-bi-cN=\"Collapse all\">Collapse all<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"accordion\" id=\"accordion-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t align=\"left\">\t\t\t\t<li class=\"m-0\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn btn-collapse m-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-mount=\"collapse\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-target=\"#collapse-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"collapse-2\">\n\t\tThe BBC micro:bit and TouchDevelop\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"collapse\" id=\"collapse-2\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>The BBC micro:bit and TouchDevelop<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"5f9d25aa-d7a0-421c-a5c9-0df883a36c86\" class=\"ImageBlock fr\"><span id=\"ImageCaption5f9d25aa-d7a0-421c-a5c9-0df883a36c86\" class=\"ImageCaptionCoreCss ImageCaption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-213027\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2015\/05\/simulator-300x239.jpg\" alt=\"simulator\" width=\"185\" height=\"147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/simulator-300x239.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/simulator-768x613.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/simulator-1024x817.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/simulator.jpg 1339w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 185px) 100vw, 185px\" \/>The <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" title=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/mediacentre\/mediapacks\/microbit\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BBC micro:bit<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> is a small device that can be programmed to light up using a series of tiny LEDs. A fun introduction to programming and making \u2013 switch on, program it to do something fun \u2013 wear it, customize it, develop new ideas. The first wave of BBC micro:bits will hit UK schools this fall.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>To bring the BBC micro:bit to life in 2015, Microsoft has developed an enhanced version of their popular <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.touchdevelop.com\/\">TouchDevelop<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> web application and hosting service. This means the micro:bit has its own dedicated website, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/\">Microsoft Azure<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> hosting for all one million micro:bits and a range of online code editors available from most any modern web browser.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft also has supplied two languages\/editors \u2013 TouchDevelop, a text-based language, and the Block Editor, a graphical coding language. The TouchDevelop web app holds all the code editors built for the micro:bit, runs the micro:bit simulator, sends the code to the <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/mbed.org\/\">ARM compiler<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> and brings back the compiled files to be sent to the micro:bit.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"m-0\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn btn-collapse m-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-mount=\"collapse\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-target=\"#collapse-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"collapse-3\">\n\t\tSupporting the UK Teachers\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"collapse\" id=\"collapse-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-213029\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2015\/05\/quickstart-300x203.png\" alt=\"quickstart\" width=\"253\" height=\"171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/quickstart-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/quickstart.png 611w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 253px) 100vw, 253px\" \/>Supporting the UK Teachers<\/h2>\n<p>With close to a million micro:bits hitting the classrooms in the Autumn, it is critically important that the Year 7 children are supported by knowledgeable teachers with interesting and engaging projects right from the get go. Microsoft has put together a complete package of materials that can help get teachers up and running and support them through the school year. This includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A Quick Start Guide, which takes teachers from a basic understanding of the device through to exciting games and tutorials;<\/li>\n<li>extensive online documentation for the micro:bit and the code editors<\/li>\n<li>workshops for teaching partners and direct connections between the coding environment and the <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.computingatschool.org.uk\/\">Computing at School<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> community<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"m-0\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn btn-collapse m-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-mount=\"collapse\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-target=\"#collapse-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"collapse-4\">\n\t\tDo more with the micro:bit\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"collapse\" id=\"collapse-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Do more with the micro:bit<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-213030\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2015\/05\/kodu-300x160.png\" alt=\"kodu\" width=\"300\" height=\"160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/kodu-300x160.png 300w, https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/kodu.png 580w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" title=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kodugamelab.com\/microbit\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kodu for micro:bit<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> has new programming tiles that allow interaction with the micro:bit. With these new tiles, you can control character movement using the accelerometer, jump and shoot with a button press, display animations and scrolling text on the screen, interface with other devices through the IO pins, and much more.<\/li>\n<li>Windows 10 app with BLE connectivity to micro:bit, in development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"m-0\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn btn-collapse m-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-mount=\"collapse\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-target=\"#collapse-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"collapse-5\">\n\t\tNews\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"collapse\" id=\"collapse-5\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">Ars Technica: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/arstechnica.co.uk\/gadgets\/2015\/07\/bbc-microbit-a-free-single-board-pc-for-every-year-7-kid-in-the-uk\/\">http:\/\/arstechnica.co.uk\/gadgets\/2015\/07\/bbc-microbit-a-free-single-board-pc-for-every-year-7-kid-in-the-uk\/<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">BBC: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/mediacentre\/mediapacks\/microbit\">http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/mediacentre\/mediapacks\/microbit<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">cnet: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=u5DIlaaNkvw\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=u5DIlaaNkvw<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">Engadget: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.engadget.com\/2015\/07\/07\/bbc-micro-bit\/\">http:\/\/www.engadget.com\/2015\/07\/07\/bbc-micro-bit\/<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">The Guardian: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2015\/jul\/07\/bbc-give-away-1m-microbit-computers-schoolchildren\">http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2015\/jul\/07\/bbc-give-away-1m-microbit-computers-schoolchildren<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">The Independent: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/life-style\/gadgets-and-tech\/news\/bbc-microbit-can-a-pocketsized-computer-inspire-digital-creativity-in-britains-children-10372834.html\">http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/life-style\/gadgets-and-tech\/news\/bbc-microbit-can-a-pocketsized-computer-inspire-digital-creativity-in-britains-children-10372834.html<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">PC World: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/article\/2944804\/bbc-reveals-microbit-a-programmable-pc-that-fits-in-your-pocket.html\">http:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/article\/2944804\/bbc-reveals-microbit-a-programmable-pc-that-fits-in-your-pocket.html<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">TechCrunch: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2015\/07\/07\/the-microbit-is-shaping-up-to-be-the-perfect-programming-device-for-kids\/\">http:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2015\/07\/07\/the-microbit-is-shaping-up-to-be-the-perfect-programming-device-for-kids\/<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">WinBeta: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.winbeta.org\/news\/microsoft-bbc-provide-microbit-computing-devices-uk-school-kids\">http:\/\/www.winbeta.org\/news\/microsoft-bbc-provide-microbit-computing-devices-uk-school-kids<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left\">Wired: <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wired.co.uk\/news\/archive\/2015-07\/07\/bbc-micro-bit-launch-details-announced\">http:\/\/www.wired.co.uk\/news\/archive\/2015-07\/07\/bbc-micro-bit-launch-details-announced<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Try our Block\/JavaScript editor! The BBC and partners, including Microsoft, announce the BBC micro:bit \u2013 a pocket-sized, codeable computer that allows children to get creative with technology. Nearly 1 million micro:bits were given to every 11 or 12 year old child in Year 7 or equivalent across the UK in 2016, for free. \u201cThe simple [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","footnotes":""},"research-area":[13552,13554,13560],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-impact-theme":[],"msr-pillar":[],"class_list":["post-171471","msr-project","type-msr-project","status-publish","hentry","msr-research-area-hardware-devices","msr-research-area-human-computer-interaction","msr-research-area-programming-languages-software-engineering","msr-locale-en_us","msr-archive-status-active"],"msr_project_start":"2015-05-28","related-publications":[238011,504521,642384,652632],"related-downloads":[],"related-videos":[],"related-groups":[],"related-events":[],"related-opportunities":[],"related-posts":[],"related-articles":[],"tab-content":[],"slides":[],"related-researchers":[{"type":"user_nicename","display_name":"Darren Gehring","user_id":31548,"people_section":"Group 1","alias":"darrenge"},{"type":"user_nicename","display_name":"Peli de Halleux","user_id":32253,"people_section":"Group 1","alias":"jhalleux"},{"type":"user_nicename","display_name":"Michal Moskal","user_id":37431,"people_section":"Group 1","alias":"mimoskal"},{"type":"user_nicename","display_name":"Jonathan Protzenko","user_id":33286,"people_section":"Group 1","alias":"protz"},{"type":"guest","display_name":"Steve Hodges","user_id":987705,"people_section":"Group 1","alias":""},{"type":"user_nicename","display_name":"Thomas Ball","user_id":33895,"people_section":"Group 1","alias":"tball"},{"type":"user_nicename","display_name":"James Devine","user_id":41632,"people_section":"Group 1","alias":"devinejames"}],"msr_research_lab":[199561],"msr_impact_theme":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-project\/171471"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/msr-project"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-project\/171471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":987723,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-project\/171471\/revisions\/987723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"msr-research-area","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-area?post=171471"},{"taxonomy":"msr-locale","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-locale?post=171471"},{"taxonomy":"msr-impact-theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-impact-theme?post=171471"},{"taxonomy":"msr-pillar","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-pillar?post=171471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}