{"id":1044072,"date":"2024-06-18T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/?p=1044072"},"modified":"2024-06-21T06:28:04","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T13:28:04","slug":"microcode-portable-programming-for-the-bbc-microbit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/blog\/microcode-portable-programming-for-the-bbc-microbit\/","title":{"rendered":"MicroCode: Portable programming for the BBC micro:bit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This research paper was presented at the <\/em><\/strong>23rd annual ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference<\/em><\/strong> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> (IDC 2024) the premier forum for inclusive child-centered design and learning.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Between 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 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 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 The complete system\u2014editor, user\u2019s program, compiler, and runtime\u2014is integrated into the micro:bit V2\u2019s permanent memory. This allows programs to keep running even when the device is disconnected, to be edited again once reconnected, speeding up the development process and making portability a reality. The user-friendly interface enables cursor-based editing for creating and modifying Kodu\u2019s \u201cWhen-Do\u201d rules and editing 5\u00d75 images, as shown in Figure 3. The shield\u2019s directional pad and buttons make for smooth navigation and selection.<\/p>\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\tSpotlight: Microsoft research newsletter<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n\t\n\t
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MicroCode: Mobility-focused visual programming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Evaluation and findings <\/h2>\n\n\n\n