micro:bit Classroom FAQs
Stated below are a number of frequently asked questions from teachers who are looking at implementing the micro:bit into their classroom. Implementation is pretty straight forward as long as your classroom has consistent access to WiFi and laptops / chromebooks with a USB port.
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What do I need for my students to program the micro:bit? |
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The micro:bit requires a computer (mac, PC or chromebook) with a USB port and access to WiFi. We recommend using the Microsoft MakeCode programming environment (https://makecode.microbit.org) for classes that are just getting started. Other than those two things, a USB cable would be the only other thing and that is included in the Go:bundle / club pack. |
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What Programming Environment Should I use? |
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We recommend Microsoft MakeCode (https://makecode.microbit.org) as this is the environment that we support with all of our documentation, projects and ecosystem products. |
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Where is a good place to get started with my students? |
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SparkFun provides a video series as well as a written Getting Started Guide for the micro:bit. We recommend you watch the videos with your students and give them access to them during class to use them as a reference for building up the first few projects. If you need a little more structure as to what a first class using the micro:bit could look like, please see our Micro:bit 101: The First Day lesson play. |
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When I plug the micro:bit in for the first time the screen does some weird things, is that normal? |
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This is normal and is the initial software that is loaded on all micro:bits. The software that is on the micro:bit is designed to demonstrate some of the functionality on the micro:bit before loading any code. This can be played with a bit, or ignored and jump right into programming it. |
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What if the micro:bit doesn’t show up as an external drive on our computers? |
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If this happens or if your micro:bit shows up as “MAINTENANCE” we recommend unplugging the micro:bit from the computer and plugging it back into a different USB port. If there is only one USB port, try unplugging and restarting the computer. If the problem persists as a “MAINTENANCE” drive follow these steps provided by the micro:bit foundation. |
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Does the micro:bit require the battery pack included? It seems rather difficult to unplug it once I have added it! |
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The micro:bit doesn’t require the battery pack when being programmed. All required power for initial use for students at their desks is provided by the computer over the USB cable. The battery pack is used for when students want to take their project wireless and walk around with the micro:bit while not tethered to a laptop or if their project requires more power than the USB port can provide (This is in more advanced use cases that use external hardware with the micro:bit). The battery pack connector is sensitive to continual removal and can break if care isn’t taken in removing or plugging the battery pack in. We recommend not using the battery packs until they are absolutely necessary and during that time give direct instructions to students around proper use and safety. |
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What if my micro:bit stops working all of a sudden? |
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You have probably shorted out some of the circuitry on the board! Be sure that your work space is free of metal parts / surfaces and any exposed wires that you may have placed the micro:bit on. Unplug the micro:bit from your computer and plug it into a different USB port if possible. Restarting your computer may be required! |
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Will my code run when it’s not plugged into the computer/when Microsoft MakeCode isn’t open? |
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When you load your program onto your micro:bit that code lives on the microcontroller until you load something else! So, you can unplug the micro:bit and plug it back in to a battery or some other power supply and it should work the same way as when you programmed it. |
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We have done everything we can with the micro:bit and my students seem bored, what’s next? |
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We have a whole ecosystem of expansion boards and kits that are used with the micro:bit. From robotics to weather science and electronics. There are a number of other projects from the Microsoft MakeCode team on the makecode Home page of the editor that can be done with just the micro:bit and some craft materials as well. |
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My program doesn’t seem to be doing what I thought it would do? |
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Be sure to run your program with the simulator to make sure it is doing what you plan for it to do. This is an easy way to debug your program before loading it onto your micro:bit. Also, make sure that you have loaded your most recent version of your program on your micro:bit and not just downloaded it to your computer, or forgotten to download it all together (It happens to the best of us)! |
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What is the best way to save Microsoft MakeCode programs? |
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MakeCode is designed to not store any personal information of its users. This means other than the programs that are saved through cookies on individual computers saving your work is tough. You have a couple of options (we recommend #1 for students with Google Classroom accounts):
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