do your bit - SDG - micro:bit challenge

I have been waiting for this for a month now since it was announced on twitter.

This brings in the ideas of designing and developing a digital outcome, based upon the Sustainable Development Goals using the micro:bit.

The two goals that are at the front and centre of this are

A new BBC micro:bit challenge for children and teens to combine creativity and technology in solutions for the Global Goals.

The Challenge

This challenge will focus on Global Goals 14 and 15. We want you to come up with innovative ways to use your micro:bit to help protect life on land and below water.

You can learn about the Goals, understand some of the problems facing our oceans and natural world and then get started developing ideas and solutions using technology.

I think one of the activities that really highlights the Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes, input - process - output is 

evidence could look like, I like the fact that through the resource, that they get students to think about bigger areas and whether it might be the right algorithm.

I look forward to investigating the ideas and activities more.

physical computing - DDDO PO 2

I have been investigating these three devices into how I can deliver DDDO PO 2

• micro:bit
• makecode haloCode
• adafruit Circuit Playground Express

You maybe wondering why I am not just looking at one device, each one has its unique features that I have been starting to look at and wonder what is possible.

micro:bit

makecode halocode

adafruit playground express

The halocode interested me because of the built in wireless, this means that it is a device that can be used to capture information and use it with IoT. I am also interested in the AI features that it talks about on the website.

The circuit playground came out a while ago and I was looking at it as it has the built-in neopixels, as well as having the extra pins available. This meant I could use it as a gateway device getting students from beginning to a more intermediate electronics route.
I have been using the mindkits brainboard, it menat that students could develop quickly some programs to use the built-in features of the device. They could program LEDs, buttons, use light and make sounds. However, this was discontinued. But the learning that I took from this and interest and engagement from the students was one that I couldn't just stop. So the investigation started.

Considering the ideas that we are looking at with DDDO, I have been working at delivering Progress Outcome 2. This allows for students to look at components in a simple input - process - output system. It is an introduction into what is possible for students to develop possible ideas of innovation and creativity. The next stages would be to include components like servos and sonic sensors into an art installation.

The next stage is to investigate the opportunities of the programming environments. Not that this is a focus

DDDO: Progress outcome 2

In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students make decisions about creating, manipulating, storing, retrieving, sharing, and testing digital content for a specific purpose, given particular parameters, tools, and techniques. They understand that digital devices impact on humans and society and that both the devices and their impact change over time.

Students identify the specific role of components in a simple input-process-output system and how they work together, and they recognise the "control role” that humans have in the system. They can select from an increasing range of applications and file types to develop outcomes for particular purposes.