Physical Computing
Beyond the code
What is Physical Computing?
Smart car coming together with #microbit and #Makerbit
Building a smart car with the #microbit and #Makerbit
The Microbit through the makecode.com programming tool
What is the Microbit?
The microbit has 25 built-in red LEDs along with built-in sensors and pins to connect motors, servos, speakers, and external sensors. The built-in components include:
- Bluetooth
- thermometer
- accelerometer
- compass
Coding the microbit
- www.microbit.org (click on Let's Code)
- www.makecode.com (click on Microbit)
Coding the microbit can be done in Blockly and Javascript through Makecode and Python through the Microbit site. If you are adventurous, you can also code it using tools like mbed and program it in 'C.'
Working with digital pins on the microbit
Writing motor functions
Make a beating heart
Microbit Resources
The Arduino
List of useful links to get started
Using iForge to program the Arduino
What is iForge?
It is from Genesis Learning, a company promoting STEM and CS. The head of the company, Trevor Shaw, has created iForge as a Web-based Arduino tool. What is unique with this tool is that it is block coding, but it shows you the Arduino C. It also has a 'Serial Monitor' to allow you to print out data for monitoring what a program is doing. It can create simple programs or go super complicated, based on your needs. What is nice about using iForge is that you can easily access tutorials built in and email the company if you have questions about the code. They are constantly making improvements and adding features. The most recent allows for coding of different Arduino devices beyond the Arduino Uno including the Little Bits Arduino board. This is a level-up especially for younger people who want to work with Arduino.
Microbit or Arduino: Why not both?
David Platt
Email: mrdavideplatt@gmail.com
Website: www.organiteched.com
Location: Covina, CA
Phone: 626-974-6000
Twitter: @herrplatt