Students today are growing up in an increasingly digital world. Students need engaging, hands-on ways of learning and practising their digital literacies. They need systems that are simple enough, and open-ended enough that they can learn by exploring and create their own projects and take ownership of their learning.

Wireless digital devices (beyond tablets and phones) are becoming ever more ubiquitous. By extending the BBC Micro:bit to real-world student-designed sensing and control projects we can give students a gentle on ramp to becoming IoT repair people and engineers, and help them have a better understanding of how such devices could be used. A hands-on project-based experience is much more memorable, engaging and potentially much more creative way to learn about sustainability, electronics, science, and a host of other topics.

If you have never used a BBC Micro: bit before and are wondering what it is all about and what it can do we have some simple examples that will help you explore. See the warm-ups at this URL: http://microbitwarmups.strikingly.com/

In order to use external sensors with your Micro:bit you need to understand a little bit about how sensors talk to computers. I like to think about sensors in three broad categories: analog, digital (on/off) and digital (complex). The first section of this web page shows you exercises to help understand about the differences between analog and digital (on/off). It also helps you to start thinking in terms of ins and outs via pins. For beginners, it is best to stick to analog and simple digital(on/off) devices, unless the control block is already present in your preferred Microbit coding system.

The second section of this web page lists some good, cheap, and fun sensors and actuators (output devices) to play with. This includes simple wiring diagrams and code for controlling mini pumps.

The third section of this web page gives and example of how to make a simple wireless sensor.

The last section gives you some ideas that we might explore in the future, including control/coding by tablet, beautiful live graphs on your phone, and how to put live graphs on the Internet.

Have fun!