One million Micro Bits - a stripped-down computer similar to a Raspberry Pi - will be given to all pupils starting secondary school in the autumn term.
The BBC does not see Micro Bit as a rival to similar computing devices such as Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Galileo and Kano, but rather hopes it will act as a "springboard" to these more complex machines.
The MicroBit is being co-developed with ARM, Microsoft and Samsung. It will be programmable in Touch Develop, Python and C++. The final version with have Bluetooth so it can be linked to devices such as the Raspberry Pi.
However, there is no need to fret, licensee fee payers, as it is being designed in collaboration with leading technology companies they are bearing most of the cost.
It is quite a lot smaller than the BBC Microcomputer that was launched for the same purpose in 1981 and discontinued in 1994. Although the lifespan of the Microbit will be quite a lot shorter, as after the initial 1 million there will be no more.
For those who have used the original BBC Microcomputer there is a bit of history left in the new 'Micro-bit'. It is being co developed by ARM of which the first letter stands for 'Acorn', the developer of the Microcomputer.
At least the Poms are being a lot more progressive than the so-called 'experts' that administer our Aussie secondary education system. At present the system seems to be about 'dumbing-down' the learning process.
Same here in America if it makes you feel any better. Rather than teach people how to use something that's not really that hard in the first place (like keeping viruses off a Windows PC, seems like they should teach that in a computer class in middle school/high school, but they totally don't) lets make it even simpler for idiots, and make it harder for the smart people to get to the innards and do what they want
Seems a bit odd. What about those doing the new computer sciences course at GCSE (started this year)? As part of it, you have to learn python. It'd make more sense than giving them out like confetti to loads of people that haven't given an indication that they're actually interested in using such a device.
That computing course has been going for a few years now. However, those courses already have the hardware they need, this is about giving everyone the tools to have a crack at it. After all, they can't be that expensive to make.
I guess it's more about igniting their curiosity @Kai , and that's the important bit. If some decide that this 'free tech' , and the study it's associated with is what they desire to pursue then it's a win-win for all.
Microsoft is one of the BBC's partners in launching the Micro-Bit:
"With Microsoft TouchDevelop, even a child who has no experience in coding whatsoever can quickly start creating simple programmes for their BBC micro:bit, such as a set of commands that makes the gadget's lights blink. The fact that they can use Microsoft TouchDevelop on any device also means that this isn't just confined to the classroom – they can take the BBC micro:bit home and carry on exploring outside of school."
"The Microsoft TouchDevelop platform has been designed so that as students get more advanced, they can create even more sophisticated programmes and build libraries of code that they can re-use and share with other users. Eventually, they can progress to use the computer language C++, which professional computer scientists use."
Makes me want to be British again (because I have wanted to be British during the 80's, not because I used to be British), but then I stopped myself after seeing that a link to the article about 'How I found out my partner was gay' further down the page is on the top 10 list of the most popular read... It simply wouldn't have made any substantial difference.
Jokes aside, it is fantastic that your public service broadcasting company actually contributes to the society. I like the idea of making sure every child gets one. Innovation could happen.
According to a caption in the article "The Micro Bit is being pitched as a complementary device, rather than a competitor, to the Raspberry Pi, Arduino and Galileo computers".
Will I need to take the Tunnel on the back of a truck and rob a child to get one (and get my ass kicked real bad in the process, by the child), or can it be purchased from somewhere?
