Micro:bit python basics: Try it, debug it, extend it activites (differentiated for mixed ability)

These resources walk students through how to get started writing, testing, debugging and extending python code on a BBC micro:bit.

This is designed for beginners, with the focus on how to display text and images on the micro:bit screen and sense when buttons are pressed or the pins along the bottom have been touched.

There's three sections:
Try it: sample code to try out (in your browser with a python micro:bit simulator and on the device). All students should be able to engage with this,

Debug it: sample code that's deliberately sabotaged so that students can build up confidence in finding and fixing problems in their code. Most students should be able to engage with this.

Extend it: project ideas, hints and links to get students using their creativity and initiative to take the project further. Varying level of difficulty, open ended challenges to stretch the most able.

Have a look here for further info: http://community.computingatschool.org.uk/resources/4479

You can download student activity traccking sheets to get students to record and reflect on their work, with space to keep track of what support they’ve given / reveived to promote independent learning. If your students have 1:1 tablets these pdfs can be shared via Showbie (or similar) so that students can annotate them & you can keep track of their progress. Alternatively, you can print them and get students to fill them in by hand.

Activities:
How to display text - create a heads or tails simulator:
http://blog.withcode.uk/2016/06/python-microbit-basics-how-to-display-text/

How to display images - create a spin the bottle random chooser tool.
http://blog.withcode.uk/2016/06/python-microbit-basics-how-to-display-images/

Buttons and touch pins - create a voting machine to run your own referendum
http://blog.withcode.uk/2016/06/python-microbit-basics-buttons-and-touch-pins/