This weekend, with my little family we felt that we were smarter and we learned new things. We are very proud of it.
Actually, we spent the weekend trying to use our new gadget BBC Micro bit.
This is a palm-sized computer that you can use and code to do almost anything you want.
What is amazing about it is that you do not need to be a programmer or even to have any knowledge about this stuff to do it. This is really coding introduction that anyone can have only by following the manual, amazing isn’t it?
You can link it to a computer or to a smartphone, and let the fun begin!
Actually, at the beginning, I was a bit reluctant as I was afraid that my 6 years old son does not know how to use it and get frustrated. However, at my great surprise, he needed only half an hour with his 11 years old sister to follow the steps and to make it work! It is incredible how this generation get used so fast to any new technology.
So, what can you do with BBC micro bit? Well, the sky is the limit; you can be as creative as possible starting from simple things like coding this small computer to count your steps, or use it as a scoreboard, to more complicated things like controlling your music or making a room alarm.
You can also link it to other objects or censors.
To have more fun you can even get one of those packs like the bot pack to code robots, the craft pack to code dozens of craft, the maker pack to code lights to react to sensors or the Mega pack which regroup the bit (which is essential to all coding), the bot and the craft pack.
Actually, we have tried the craft pack this weekend, which includes 6 components:
- Crocodile Clips
- Piezo Buzzer
- Copper tape
- Jumper Wires
- Free access to our Make platform
- Tech Will Save Us Notebook
Using that, my daughter coded a jumps counter, whereas my son coded some emoticons on it.
Why your child should try it?
In my opinion, all children and teenagers should be initiated to coding, not because they can be a programmers or IT specialists in the future, but because coding is very beneficial to their mind and brain development.
Indeed, this kind of coding teaches children how to be creative and innovative, how to have analytical and critical thinking, and how to be a producer and not only a receiver.
And I liked BBC micro bit particularly because it is simple to use and by succeeding doing “complex” things, your children gain the self-esteem they need to have a balanced personality and to succeed in their life.
Moreover, this is something we really need in this era where the majority of children and teenagers are becoming screenaholic, staring at either TV screens or smartphones, watching videos or playing games.
I think this the time has come to use the technology attractiveness for your child wellbeing.
If you want to learn more about the different BBC packs or to order them, you can directly consult their website: https://www.techwillsaveus.com/shop/bbc-microbit/