![\"\"ACM](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/ACM_IDC24-BlogHeroFeature-1400x788-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBetween 2016 and 2018, Microsoft Research and the Developer Division developed Microsoft MakeCode<\/a>, a versatile, free web-based platform aimed at teaching coding. While MakeCode supports various devices, one notable application is with the BBC micro:bit, a compact, feature-rich computer designed primarily for students aged 11 to 14. Despite the success of the platform, now used in over 60 countries with more than 8 million micro:bits, it faces challenges, such as the need for a continuous internet connection and access to a computer, which can be limiting in nonclassroom environments and distracting due to competing online content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/micro-bit.png\")
MicroCode: Mobility-focused visual programming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our paper, \u201cMeet MicroCode: a Live and Portable Programming Tool for the BBC micro:bit<\/a>,\u201d presented at IDC 2024, addresses these issues with MicroCode, a portable programming<\/em> approach that makes it possible to program the micro:bit anywhere\u2014whether in a classroom, outdoors, or on the bus\u2014without needing a separate internet-connected computer. The MicroCode system leverages two technological advances to enable portable programming: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- micro:bit V2<\/strong>: The micro:bit V2 has 128 kilobytes of RAM and a faster processor than its predecessor, allowing it to support a small external color screen. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Arcade shield<\/strong>: This is a low-cost, battery-powered, handheld device into which the micro:bit V2 can be inserted. It provides a color screen and inputs that enable live and portable programming. The shield pictured in Figure 2 is one of three commercially available Arcade shields for the micro:bit V2. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/MicroCode_Figure2.png\")
Figure 2. The micro:bit V2 (top) is inserted into a Game Bit, a commercially available Arcade shield, which displays a MicroCode program. Arcade shields offer a small color screen and extra features, enabling users to have a wider variety of experiences. The shields do not have user-programmable processors\u2014the micro:bit supplies this capability. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Research shows novices\u2019 willingness to adopt new programming tools often depends on how easy, familiar, and understandable these tools are. This drove our decision to use the Kodu (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> visual programming model for young children and beginners. We created a mini version of the Kodu editor specifically for the micro:bit V2, enabling users to fully utilize the device\u2019s hardware features to create simple programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/MicroCode_Figure3.png\")
Figure 3. A MicroCode program (Happy\/Sad) consists of four rules: the first two are activated by pressing the micro:bit\u2019s A button. The second two are activated by pressing the B button. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Evaluation and findings <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To evaluate the impact of MicroCode, education researchers at Lancaster University conducted a study across three UK schools. The findings, reported in our paper<\/a>, reveal that MicroCode effectively supports micro:bit-based learning at the primary level, engaging children and giving them a sense of agency. By simplifying the process of updating programs in real-time, MicroCode has expanded the learning context to include activities such as outdoor data collection. Furthermore, this innovative tool has inspired teachers to explore the integration of physical computing into a broader curriculum, transcending traditional boundaries of computing education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\tMicrosoft Research Blog<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"Research](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Year-in-review-2024_Stories_Hero_Feature-1400x788-1.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tResearch at Microsoft 2024: Meeting the challenge of a changing world<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
In this new AI era, technology is changing even faster than before, and the transition from research to reality, from concept to solution, now takes days or weeks rather than months or years.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead more\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\nImplications and looking forward <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
MicroCode has transformed the programming environment for the micro:bit, providing portability and the ability to improve the classroom experience. Compatible with the Jacdac plug-and-play system<\/a>, MicroCode extends its functionality with easy-to-connect peripherals like sensors and actuators. This integration expands the micro:bit\u2019s capabilities, enabling it to detect environmental changes and control various devices. Additionally, MicroCode can now remotely operate an array of robot accessories through the micro:bit\u2019s radio protocol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
MicroCode is available on GitHub (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> and built with Microsoft MakeCode Arcade (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>. The web app (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> version is also available for those without a shield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acknowledgements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We would like to thank the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, the Microsoft MakeCode team, and our colleagues at Lancaster University for their support and contributions to this work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MicroCode offers an affordable way to program the BBC micro:bit without needing an internet connection, fostering exploratory learning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37583,"featured_media":1048434,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"research-area":[13554,13560],"msr-region":[],"msr-event-type":[],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-post-option":[243984],"msr-impact-theme":[],"msr-promo-type":[],"msr-podcast-series":[],"class_list":["post-1044072","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research-blog","msr-research-area-human-computer-interaction","msr-research-area-programming-languages-software-engineering","msr-locale-en_us","msr-post-option-blog-homepage-featured"],"msr_event_details":{"start":"","end":"","location":""},"podcast_url":"","podcast_episode":"","msr_research_lab":[199561,199565],"msr_impact_theme":[],"related-publications":[],"related-downloads":[],"related-videos":[],"related-academic-programs":[],"related-groups":[144812],"related-projects":[807097,427296],"related-events":[],"related-researchers":[{"type":"user_nicename","value":"Eric Anderson","user_id":31706,"display_name":"Eric Anderson","author_link":"Eric Anderson<\/a>","is_active":false,"last_first":"Anderson, Eric","people_section":0,"alias":"eanders"},{"type":"user_nicename","value":"Thomas Ball","user_id":33895,"display_name":"Thomas Ball","author_link":"Thomas Ball<\/a>","is_active":false,"last_first":"Ball, Thomas","people_section":0,"alias":"tball"},{"type":"user_nicename","value":"Peli de Halleux","user_id":32253,"display_name":"Peli de Halleux","author_link":"Peli de Halleux<\/a>","is_active":false,"last_first":"de Halleux, Peli","people_section":0,"alias":"jhalleux"},{"type":"user_nicename","value":"James Devine","user_id":41632,"display_name":"James Devine","author_link":"James Devine<\/a>","is_active":false,"last_first":"Devine, James","people_section":0,"alias":"devinejames"},{"type":"user_nicename","value":"Michal Moskal","user_id":37431,"display_name":"Michal Moskal","author_link":"Michal Moskal<\/a>","is_active":false,"last_first":"Moskal, Michal","people_section":0,"alias":"mimoskal"}],"msr_type":"Post","featured_image_thumbnail":"
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