Feature

2000 UK primary schools to receive free access to BBC micro:bits

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is working with funding from Nominet to undertake a longitudinal research study to understand the opportunities, challenges and impacts of teaching with the micro:bit at primary school.

15/09/2021 08:28:34

An evidence-based education programme for primary school teachers

Independent research will look at the teaching of digital skills and creative computing. This will form the basis of a research-based education program of support for primary schools to be launched in Spring 2022.

Researchers will explore the benefits and barriers of teaching this subject area and physical computing using the BBC micro:bit. The research and programme is funded by Nominet as part of its commitment to democratising technology and broadening young people’s access to successful digital futures.

Two thousand UK primary schools to receive free access to BBC micro:bits

More than two thousand primary schools across the four nations of the UK will also benefit from free access to the BBC micro:bit device with a donation of devices into classrooms across the country. Donated micro:bits will arrive in schools in late Spring 2022.

Look out for more information on the website, and Facebook and Twitter pages during the build-up to the launch in Spring 2022. Or sign up to the newsletter to be kept up to date on the project.

"Nominet is delighted to be funding this research programme to better understand the obstacles and opportunities presented to teachers who are using micro:bit in classrooms all over the UK. It will provide valuable insight that will support them in their mission to inspire and educate children to learn new digital skills. The purpose of our public benefit programme is to fund initiatives like the micro:bit which work towards closing the digital skills gap and ensuring a bright future for the UK’s digital workforce," said Adam Leach, Chief Technology Officer, Nominet.

"We’re really pleased to be working with Nominet to understand the primary teaching needs around digital skills. The research will allow us to understand the experiences of primary teachers and then provide a rich and relevant programme of support for them," said Gareth Stockdale, CEO, the Micro:bit Educational Foundation.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.