With Insight Mr Bit you can create programs for the BBC micro:bit in Plain English. You can use the method to create programs that can do lots of different things.
Here’s a program showing simple images.
Inputs and outputs are shown with colour-coded blocks, and the Plain English program script is in the top panel. Each sentence is an instruction to the micro:bit.
Now an animation. Here you create several images in a sequence which shows when the micro:bit moves to an upright position.
This program sends messages to the micro:bit screen. The first message appears when the micro:bit is placed upright. Then, pressing the buttons, there are different messages for each one.
Now an example of a program which detects the angle of the micro:bit. Here the input comes from the micro:bit’s internal accelerometer. The program shows a different image for each of four angle positions.
This program detects when the micro:bit is shaken. When this happens, the program creates a number from 1 to 3 at random. Each number shows a different image, in this case simulating the rock, paper, scissors game.
Now some music. Mr Bit has a special editor which makes it easy to create code for tunes. Each note has a code which specifies its pitch and duration.
The micro:bit makes it easy to control external devices like LEDs. This program flashes three LEDs in a sequence while the button is pressed.
You can also control multicolour LEDs. In this example each button starts a different colour sequence. The buttons can work independently of each other. As always, the program script describes what each button does.
Here’s how the micro:bit can help you learn about controlling robots. This simple robot buggy has two motors together with light sensors for detecting the brightness of the surface underneath. The program is designed to make the buggy follow the black line.
Finally, an example a 2 dimensional model you can build for yourself. This simulates a heating system with a temperature sensor, some LEDs and a motor. The temperature shows on the micro:bit and the buttons control the burner LEDs and pump motor.
You have now seen a selection of many activities with the BBC micro:bit, each with programs in plain English using the Mr Bit method. The editor comes with tutorials and over 60 scripted activities. There are lots more videos on the Insight Resources RU-vid channel
/ @insightresources .
22 сен 2023
