Part of the of the Flagship initiative “Make it Digital” lunched by BBC in 2015, one million BBC micro:bits are being delivered free to every student (age 11-12).
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized codeable computer that allows young people to get creative with technology, whatever their level of experience, and aims to help develop a new generation of digital pioneers.
In order to create the ‘Micro Bit’ , the BBC has partnered with over 25 organisations to create a small programmable hardware device for children in UK. Building on the legacy of the BBC Micro, the Micro Bit aims to help transform a new generation from passive consumers of technology to creators and innovators in the digital world.
Jessica Cecil, Controller, Make It Digital said: “BBC micro:bit represents a major milestone in our bid to inspire a new generation of digital innovators. As part of our Make it Digital initiative we want everyone to discover more about the digital world. We’re offering easy-to-use devices like the BBC micro:bit, up to 5,000 Make it Digital traineeships across the UK and shows on the BBC such as Girls Can Code and Calculating Ada, to achieve just that. Working with our many partners to create opportunities for children to code, make and to discover, together we aim to build the chances of the next generation.”
Why Make It Digital in UK?
The UK is facing a significant skills shortage with 1.4m digital professionals needed over the next five years.[1] BBC Make it Digital will capture the spirit of the BBC Micro, which helped Britain get to grips with the first wave of personal computers in the 1980s, for the digital age. It will put digital creativity in the spotlight like never before, and help build the nation’s digital skills, through an ambitious range of new programmes, partnerships and projects.
more about BBC’s Make it Digital: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/make-it-digital
more about BBC’s Micro:bit http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/bbc-micro-bit-schools-launch
