Micro:bit Foundation Brings Small-Board Computer to United States and Canada Classrooms -- THE Journal

Breaking News

Micro:bit Foundation Brings Small-Board Computer to United States and Canada Classrooms

By Sri Ravipati
06/20/17

Image: Micro:bit Educational Foundation.

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation, based in the United Kingdom, today opened up availability to its small-board computer for education customers in the United States and Canada.

The micro:bit is designed by BBC for use in computer science classes and priced starting at $14.95, according to information from the nonprofit organization. It is roughly the size of a credit card and comes equipped with 25 LEDs that can display simple images and text; a variety of sensors; as well as two programmable buttons. Additionally, the micro:bit can connect to other devices via Bluetooth.

Since it’s meant to teach students computational and critical thinking skills, it can be programmed via PC, tablet or mobile using Scratch, a block-based coding language from MIT, through an extension, or the block- and text-based Microsoft MakeCode.

The Micro:bit Foundation last year delivered the device to 1 million year 7 students across the United Kingdom. Now, the nonprofit aims to put the small-board computer in the hands of 2 million U.S. and Canada students by 2020, according to information from the company.

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation will be exhibiting at the annual ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) conference next week, June 25-28 in San Antonio, TX, in booth #3241.

About the Author

Sri Ravipati is Web producer for THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].

E-Mail this page

Printable Format

Featured

Survey: Top Education and Budget Challenges for Schools

A recent survey of more than 2,500 educators, school leaders, and district administrators across the country identified the top challenges schools are facing this year. The 2025 National Educator Survey, conducted by PowerSchool, found that teacher shortages and mounting financial uncertainty are persistent pain points across K-12 education.
Avantis Education Launches New Headsets for ClassVR Solution

Avantis Education recently introduced two new headsets for its flagship educational VR/AR solution, ClassVR. According to a news release, the Xcelerate and Xplorer headsets expand the company’s offerings into higher education while continuing to meet the evolving needs of K–12 users.
September 2025 Tech Tactics in Education Conference Agenda Announced

Registration is free for this fully virtual Sept. 25 event, focused on "Overcoming Roadblocks to Innovation" in K-12 and higher education.
Integration Brings Pearson Assessments to McGraw Hill's K-12 Curriculum

Education companies McGraw Hill and Pearson have partnered to integrate the latter's assessment capabilities into McGraw Hill's K-12 curriculum solutions.