UIC BTT CS111,

01-10 Intros; Using Microbits Reed & Moore,

Spring 2022

Link to this slide deck is under today’s date on the class schedule, displayed on the course web site.
Reporting your video is off? Use the video being off form

Announcements:
1. Web site and syllabus are at: bit.ly/bttcs111
The web site includes a link to the class schedule, with content posted one week at a time.
There is lab tomorrow, using the same Zoom link as today, using the link on the class schedule.
2. Class participation is part of your grade and is determined by:
○ Video must be on (or fill out the video being off form).
○ Name and contributions must be in each day’s collaboration doc (like this one for today)
○ iClicker questions, given regular in class. Be sure to have registered for iClicker before
Wed class.
Previously:
My expectation is you already read the syllabus, in response to my previous emails
Today:
● Collaborating in a Google slide deck as a class
● Using Micro:bits
We will start by using some synchronous
online learning tools.

Be patient with yourself and others as we

explore these teaching practices.
HI GUYS!!!!!!!!
 Lr’she Chamblis
Intros Graffiti Wall
Hello! My name is Nuha. I am a mathematics major with a minor Hi! my name is Priscilla my major
in CS. I am good at baking and i am learning how to speak criminology
turkish! Hi, my name is Hawwa Kassim
Hi! I’m Amara. My major is Yuexian and Cs major
Roboticslady, she/her biological sciences :) major in
robots! My name is Meleena Torres, I biochemistry.
am a Data Science major, I Annie Karner
Irene Galeana
Zeynep jozwiak, Biological am good at typing fast, and I Undecided - hoping to do CS
(she/her)
science major, Hi my name is April and I am an am learning piano. Good at video editing
Psychology Major
Electrical Engineering major Learning to get back in the swing of math again
Hi i’m Tomi , an econ major! Hoping
HIIII I’m Ali!!! My pronouns are he/him
to minor in CS
I’m a psych major and I also want to double
Hi Im Hueyru Lee, pronouns are degree in computer science if I can Hello! I’m Andrea Ramos. Pronouns Hi! My name is Kira.
Nikki she/her/hers. Im majoring in she/her. I am majoring in My major is Biological
Neurosci Psychology. Im think Im pretty psychology. I’m good at reading. Science
ence good im drawing but still need I’m learning how to cook.
improvement. I am still learning in
communication and building a Hey!!!! Diya here!
Hi :) im Anjali she/her relationship with others. Currently Major is comp.engg. Anu Patel somewhere in CS Psychology and I hate my
My major is finance looking forward to explore major internet also my name is
I’m good at sleeping lol computer science. MARGOt, the T is silent
I’m learning how to use excel with stocks Ciara taylor
Hey! My name’s is Marilyn, I’m a computer Console gamer
engineering major and I like playing videogames Gabriela - EE major,
she/her
and reading webcomics. :) ok but what games??? hoping to switch to
Hi! My name is layan and my Cs major
CS!
major is undecided but i would WHAT CONSOLE!!!!
like to be in CS Xbox :) i HAVE PS4, PC, SWITCH AND
OCULUS
Do you play overwatch???
No but I want to!
Hey!! My name is Neksha. My hobby is
Hey!!! My name Fatima she/her
reading books. I tried learning python
is Hinal Oza. I Psychology
programming through youtube during Michelle
am a accounting I’m good at procrastination
winter vacation. she/her Hi im diana
major. I am learning to
Bio major but switching to CS My major
Safiyah I play PS!!! And I want to learn more about is psych
IHS safa , she/her design Im good at
Analytics Undecided listening
Who plays video games!!!@ Im learning
Learning about people Hi :) Sarah she/her.
how to be
Economics, want to learn
Dale Reed more
Graphic Design Hi!! My name is Joanna and I English & CS organized
Briana harper–Undecided/sophomore am a design major Woodworking
Crossword
Puzzles
 Choose your

Zoom Tips
Change your on-screen name by selecting your
picture and then choosing the three dots in the speaker and
upper-right-hand corner. mic options
by selecting
the up-arrow
Select the chat icon to show the chat window to ask by the mic
questions and get links. icon.

Change your virtual background by choosing the up-arrow by the Select the green check-mark in
video icon. the upper-left corner to display
options.
Move yourself in and out of
groups by selecting Breakout
Rooms.
Using a Micro:bit
Micro:bits are small Internet of Things (IoT) devices that can be easily programmed. We will:
1. Explore what a Microbit has on it & reflect on this
2. Step through a tutorial exploring how to light up the LED’s on the microbit
3. Create an Advisor program.
Take a look below at the components on the front and back of a Microbit.
In a moment plug it in and follow the instructions shown on the LED screen on the Microbit. Keep track of
how you interact with it.
Front Back
Collaborate 1 (~7 min)
The colored slides below correspond to breakout groups. Put your first and last name in the indicated color at
the top of your slide. (Use that color for everything you type, so we can see what each person has contributed.)

Have your cameras on in your breakout groups. Today’s intro question, to be done in your breakouts, is:
If you were at the restaurant of your choice, what would be your favorite appetizer to order?
1. 2.
Go in this order:
3. 4.
After everyone has answered the intro question out-loud, then do the activity below, recording your responses
on your group’s slide.

Input & Output

Plug in your microbit, if you haven’t already. It will go through an intro sequence.
● As a group make a list of all the ways you were able to provide input to the microbit, where you are
providing information to the microbit. Each of you should write at least one item, in your color.
● As a group make a list of all the ways the microbit could provide output to you, where it is providing
information to you. Each of you should write at least one item, in your color.
Collaborate 2 (~7 min)
The Software
1. The IDE (integrated development environment)
is in your browser at: http://microbit.org/code/.
That is where we’ll create our instructions. Once
on that page you will see the image shown at
right.
Select the Go to MakeCode editor button.

Then select Start Tutorial and step through the

instructions on getting the LEDs to light up to
give a “beating heart”

Check in with your group members, to see if anyone

has questions. Stay in your group until everyone has
finished, then return to the big group.
The Software (continued…)
The tutorial steps on the previous slide will take you to the environment where you can:
1. Select a category
2. Select a block within that category
3. Drag it to the blocks desktop on the right
Pushing code to the microbit
If you haven’t already done so, plug in your micro:bit into your computer
using the USB cord. Make a new project with blocks like shown at right:

Give the project an appropriate name and at the bottom-left of the screen
click the Download button. The Save icon does the same thing as the
download button.

Click on the Folder icon near the bottom-left of your screen. Your microbit,
when plugged in, should show up as an external drive, like a flash drive, On Windows:
with the name MICROBIT. Drag and drop the microbit-Untitled.hex file
from the downloads directory onto the MICROBIT. This will look slightly
different on Windows vs on a Mac.

On a Mac:
Collaborate & Create 3 (~10 min)
Implement an Advisor program shown at right. When you shake
your microbit it should respond with a “Yes” or “No” icon, as
shown at right. The colors of the blocks can help you find which
category they are in.

As you explore, keep track of what you notice and what you
wonder, writing these down on your group slide. Know that it is
normal to make mistakes!
Time permitting in your groups, experimenting with ideas we haven’t talked about yet:
1. How might you add a “Maybe” option, in addition to the “Yes” and “No” options?
(Hint: Get a Math category random number, and then test the result using a Logic comparison.)
2. Select the bottom “Advanced” category. Create a list of responses. When the micro:bit is shaken, choose a
response at random (e.g. “No Way”, “For sure”, “If you’re Crazy”, etc.)
3. “Cheat” by having your program always give you the desired answer if you happen to be holding down one
of the buttons when you shake it.
4. Switch to Python text mode. Erase the code inside the if block and start to retype it. What do you notice?
1
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Diya Shibu Meleena Torres

Getzemani Roman Neksha Patel

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. Shaking it
2. Sending it money via Venmo 1. Beeping noises
3. Plugging in the microbit 2. Words on the screen
4. Pressing the buttons 3. Through the red signals
5. Pressing the buttons gives weird sounds 4. Blinking Red lights,saw a flashing heart.
6. Programming the micro bit 5.

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

1. The micro bit is highly sensitive to touch 1. How do you program a micro bit?
2. Stating Hello 2.
3. 3.
4.

4.
5.
2
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Anu Patel Andrea Ramos

Hawwa kassim Safiyah Azeez

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. Pressing the user buttons 1. Light Senor
2. Movement 2. Noise/ sound
3. Compass 3. Next Steps
4. 4.
5.
5.

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

1. One input prompts another output 1. The features this microbit will have
2. Once you input in your device it 2. How I can modify this microbit
instructs 3. How can you code the senor.
3. When shake the micro bit it make 4. How to operate these features?
movement. 5. How sensitive is the microbit?
4. It makes you tilt it until it processes the
movement. 6.

5.
3
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Amara Victoria Anjali Patel

Annie Karner Zeynep Jozwiak

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. Press the button 1. Letters and shapes
2. tilt it 2. The dot moves as you tilt it
3. Talking to the microbit 3. Lights
4. Plugging it in 4. Making a noise
5. Shaking it 5. Letter A then an arrow
6. Clapping at it 6. Beeps
7. Shaking 7.
What do you notice? What do you wonder?
1. There are numbers on the metal plate 1. If I can make an interactive activity with the
2. The shape I drew and inputt appears on the microbit
microbit 2. Can I display words on the microbit?
3. 2 buttons on one side 3. Are there other options than “on start” and
“forever” to make specific things happen on certain
4. The “forever” block means it goes as long as
cues
the microbit is on
5. What I did online appeared on my microbit
4. Are you able to write things on the microbit

6.
5.
4
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Michelle Vences Hinal Oza

Kira Rui Nikki Kinarasri

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. Tilt 1. Scroll through text
2. Code 2. Make sounds
3. Clap 3.
4. Pressing the buttons 4.
5. Shake
6. 5.

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

1. The lights form shapes 1. Can we play a game on it?
2. 2.
3. 3. Is it voice controlled?
4. Two Button 4.

5. 5.
5
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Marilyn Butron Fatima Ali

Ciara Taylor Joanna Kim

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. Shaking 1. Lights flashing
2. Press either of the buttons 2. Makes noises
3. Clapping 3. Shows a heart
4. Tilt 4. Makes images
5. Plugging it in 5. Smiley face with lights
6.

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

1. The lights turn on as soon as its 1. Can we input other images besides the
plugged in heart/square/ X?
2. It buzzes and makes sounds with the 2. How it is able ot understand what to do
instructions 3. What is the purpose of the golden bottom?
3. Lights spell out instructions
4.

4.
5.
6
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Gabriela Ramirez Antoinette Raggs

April Pantoja Priscilla Morales

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. Connecting it 1. Sound
2. Code 2. Giving images of light
3. Shaking it 3. Follows code
4. Buttons of A & B 4.
5.
5.

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.

5. 5.
7
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Diana Flatsoussis Briana Harper

Nuha Abougoash Huey Ru Lee

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. sound
1. buttons 2. Symbols using lights
2. Noise reception 3. Made words using the lights
3. Shaking 4. The flickering red led lights
4. Tilting
5.

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

1. It has many ports 1. How inputs are represented in code
2. How its touch senstive 2.
3. It buzzes evertime you provide an input 3.
4. A ruler scale

4.
5.
8
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Sydney Voracek Sarah Ahmad

Tomi Okunola Safa Vohra

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. shaking 1. Making noise
2. pressing the buttons 2. Smiley face
3. Tilt 3. “Instructions” on what to do next
4. clapping 4. Showing numbers
5. Plug it in 5. Arrows
6. Heart

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

1. It lights up as output 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.

5. 5.
9
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Irene Galeana Layan Saad

Gabriela Pinela Lorena Castillejo

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. Through the buttons 1. Makes sounds after pressing buttons
2. speaking to it at a certain volume 2. Portrays cool designs
3. Shaking it 3. It shows letters and signs
4. Pressing the buttons A and B 4. The sensitivity
5. Pressing the reset power button 5. Light sensor
6. Microphone
7. Touching sensor 6.
What do you notice? What do you wonder?
1. It lights up in red lights when you connect it to 1. I wonder where the microphone is
the computer 2. I wonder if
2. Gives us directions to follow 3. I wonder if it has a capacity
3. Very loud due to its sound 4. I wonder how do you program it
4. It has nice circuitry
5.
6. Compact 5.

7.
10
Breakout Group Group Member Names: Use your color for your contributions.
Ali McDaniels Margot

Le’she Chamblis Yuexian Chen

Ways to provide input to the microbit: Ways the microbit provided output to you:
1. shake 1. beeps
2. Press the buttons 2. It spells out words
3. Clapping 3. It does a symbol
4. Tilting 4. It is a word “Hello”
5. Connect power
5.

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

1. It displays two triangles, one moves left 1. Can I make it respond with a word?
and the other moves right. Then, it 2.
shows a big square become a small 3.
one. Finally, it becomes a shape like 4.
heart.
2.
3. 5.
4.

5.
Questions & Resources
Questions:
1. Consider today’s Advisor app, where a choice is chosen at random. What other applications could
be written using the same ideas?
2. What are other examples of input, processing and output that you can identify in the world around
you?
3. What is a sensor? What are the various sensors on a microbit?
How might you use them? What additional sensors would be interesting to have? Check out Grove,
Adafruit, Arduino.cc, and Sparkfun.

Resources:
1. Reset your microbit to the factory presets following the instructions here.
2. Micro:bit v2 can be purchased at Sparkfun (vendor) https://www.sparkfun.com/categories/284 or
Adafruit https://www.adafruit.com/product/4834. Be sure to get the one with the “scalloped” edge
that is v2, not the original with the straight edge. Pay attention to shipping and whether or not they
are in stock! Shipping from China can take weeks to months.
3. See microbit technical details at https://tech.microbit.org/hardware/