How Tech Education for Kids is being Tackled in 2021

Technology is fast becoming a regular part of our lives.

22:31 12 May 2021

Whether it’s online appointment bookings, electric cars, or AI, the world is rapidly becoming more digital. It’s only right that our children are education on the technological world and how they can become a part of it.

 

What is available already?

 

With children having an increasing interest in technology, schools have decided to encourage more IT and coding sessions into the curriculum. One great piece of technology that is helping children and young adults learn about software programming is the micro:bit.

 

What is the micro:bit?

 

The micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer designed by the BBC to help introduce young people to software and hardware and how they work together. Complete with LED light display, sensors, buttons, inputs and outputs, this tiny yet powerful computer device can be programmed to interact with the world in any way you please.

 

The newer version features sound and can record messages with its microphone accessory, along with an extra input and power button.

 

It’s great for all abilities and is simple to use, meaning that you can make anything from a digital watch to an egg timer, to a pause/play system for your music.

 

Where is it available?

 

The best place to buy your micro:bit is from a trusted online retailer such as Okdo. Okdo provide a wide range of computers, including the popular Raspberry Pi.

 

This device can be powered from anywhere in the world and is priced at a very affordable range. For a micro:bit Go starter kit it’s less than £20. Or if you’re looking to buy multiple micro:bits for your school or college then you can invest in 300 pieces for less than £4000, making them less than £14 per child.

 

There are also global scale competitions to enter which will allow your school to win amazing micro:bit prizes. The ‘do your :bit’ challenge is available to 8-18 year olds with a keen interest in tech and it allows them to use their imaginations, get creative and build something that helps to solve one of the global issues that we face today. This could be a handy electric litter picker, a ‘remember to recycle’ alarm, or much more.

 

It could be something that will benefit the world or even just benefit your community, you can make it as widespread or niche as you would like.

 

This is a great way to get your school involved in tech and get children thinking about the developments in digital. It would also look brilliant on their cv in the future.