# My micro:bit {% hint style="success" %} ## Teachers Notes In this lesson you will need to explain to your kids the different components of the micro:bit. You will need to have a real micro:bit in front of your and show them them components. You can also explain to then real life use cases for each component {% endhint %} ## micro:bit components ![](https://1854716099-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LskXJjPT2bXMIodrtZq%2F-LskgaOeASSwrLdBrnM2%2F-LskiI1rMdMcUPxCpUNP%2Fmicrobit-hardware-access.jpg?alt=media\&token=cf5034c7-2bf3-497c-b390-6d71bb1aa0ab) ## LEDs An LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. It is a small component that lights up. The micro:bit has 25 individually-programmable LEDs, allowing you to display text, numbers, and images. *An example of this would be showing the number of a dice or showing the score of a game your playing.* *So with the mirco:bit we can use this to display number, words and pictures.* > ![25 LEDs on micro:bit](https://1854716099-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LskXJjPT2bXMIodrtZq%2F-LskjQqHlsd77v1kK6n3%2F-LskjV7tfxnFEA1cX66y%2Fbeating-heart.gif?alt=media\&token=31bb71ab-1b66-4f19-a359-643ef3c182f2) ## Buttons There are two buttons on the front of the micro:bit (labelled A and B). You can detect when these buttons are pressed, allowing you to trigger code on the device to do different things like display "A" when button A is pressed and display "B" when button B is pressed. *An example of a button would be the ones on you remote for your TV. When you press the button something happens on the TV.* *So with the mirco:bit we can use this create a dice, so when you press a button it give u a number.* ![micro:bit buttons A and B](https://1854716099-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LskXJjPT2bXMIodrtZq%2F-LskjxYUTomtWHjpm2hk%2F-LskkbDAHUx7cmPpmjUy%2Fmicrobit-features-buttons.png?alt=media\&token=f587d9f5-06ff-4dc8-94ff-9800e533f3fc) ## Light Sensor A light sensor has the ability to detect light or darkness. The LED screen works as a basic light sensor, allowing you to detect light. *An example of this would be to detect when it is dark outside and it means playtime is over.* ![LED can be used as a light sensor](https://1854716099-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LskXJjPT2bXMIodrtZq%2F-Lskld_eex-nZmn54nqI%2F-LskmIXpEkJ4iPuuKlAt%2Fmicrobit-features-light.png?alt=media\&token=160d8b3f-c54c-421a-98d1-0b57c26f20a5) ## Temperature Sensor A Temperature sensor allows you to measure how hot a cold it is. This sensor allows the micro:bit to detect the current temperature of the device *An example of this would be a sensor in a car that tells you what the temperature is so we can also use this device to tell you how hot or cold it is.* ![](https://1854716099-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LskXJjPT2bXMIodrtZq%2F-Lskld_eex-nZmn54nqI%2F-LsknAYtbHJsTdakr63Z%2Fmicrobit-features-temp.png?alt=media\&token=c2da9e07-7d5f-4f4e-991a-9279a9cf31e3) ## Accelerometer An accelerometer measures the acceleration of your micro:bit; this component senses when the micro:bit is moved. It can also detect other actions, e.g. shake, tilt, and free-fall *An example of this would be a sensor in a watch or phone that checks when the phone or watch is moved. This then helps you count the steps you take.* *So with the mirco:bit we can also create a watch that will count our steps.* ![](https://1854716099-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LskXJjPT2bXMIodrtZq%2F-Lskld_eex-nZmn54nqI%2F-LsknLfFQUFLicqrn_sB%2Fmicrobit-features-accelerometer.png?alt=media\&token=b6420664-0d35-4f8d-865c-12ced9a69818) ## Compass The compass allows you to detect the direction which are in. *An example of this would be tell you the direction of North so that know which way to travel to get to Sandton* ![micro:bit compass](https://1854716099-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LskXJjPT2bXMIodrtZq%2F-Lskld_eex-nZmn54nqI%2F-LsknAYpAyhz0-YFITJj%2Fmicrobit-features-compass.png?alt=media\&token=a10b7c23-2d3c-4d91-8d36-9be64bdf723a) ## Radio The radio feature allows you to communicate wirelessly between micro:bits. Use the radio to send messages to other micro:bits, build multiplayer games, and much more! *An example of this would be a phone that can connect to the internet. This uses a wireless sensor.* *So with the mirco:bit we can use this to send messages to another micro:bit* ![micro:bit radio](https://1854716099-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LskXJjPT2bXMIodrtZq%2F-Lskld_eex-nZmn54nqI%2F-LsknAYrzw4SmmYgsJrG%2Fmicrobit-features-radio.png?alt=media\&token=aab68dfe-88d1-446c-89c0-4973a6ce5273) ## Bluetooth Bluetooth allows the micro:bit to control phones and tablets over Bluetooth. You can also control your micro:bit from other apps using bluetooth *An example of this would be to use your micro:bit button to take a photo with your phone camera* ![micro:bit bluetooth](https://1854716099-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LskXJjPT2bXMIodrtZq%2F-Lskld_eex-nZmn54nqI%2F-LsknLfJDfMx1uq1awAG%2Fmicrobit-features-bluetooth.png?alt=media\&token=e7e7860c-ef74-490b-a8e2-13dd838ee42d) ## USB The USB interface allows you to connect the micro:bit to your computer via a micro-USB cable, which will power the device and allow you to download programs onto the micro:bit. ## Battery Adaptor The battery adaptor allows you to plug in your battery pack to your micro:bit so that you can use it when it is disconnected from your computer. ## Credits The following pages are a tutorial for the [micro:bit](https://microbit.org/). We are not affiliated with or connected with the Foundation in any way. Some images and logos you will see on these pages are taken from the micro:bit website which are provided under a Creative Commons licence. Content taken from the below websites: *