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Year 7

Creating programs on a physical computing device

I can describe the hardware of a physical computing device and write a simple program for it.

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New
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Year 7

Creating programs on a physical computing device

I can describe the hardware of a physical computing device and write a simple program for it.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Physical computers make use of hardware components to carry out actions in the real world.
  2. Hardware components can be programmed on the micro:bit to carry out actions.
  3. The micro:bit emulator allows you to test block-based code before downloading it.
  4. Programs for the micro:bit can be transfered to the device using a USB cable.

Keywords

  • Hardware component - a physical part of a computer or device that helps perform its function, such as wires, buttons, or an LED display

  • Input - data that is sent to a program to be processed

  • Output - information produced by a computer system as a result of processing data

Common misconception

Computers always have screens so that the user knows what processing has been performed.

Computers can carry actions using a variety of output devices. Physical computers are often used to carry out physical actions based on detected inputs so do not need a screen to display information.

If you want pupils to download programs on to the micro:bit, firstly model all the stages of the process so that it is clear the order the process should be completed in.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Access to a device that connects to the internet to use the https://makecode.microbit.org/ website. It would also be beneficial for pupils to have access to a micro:bit and a USB cable.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is an example of an input device?
a monitor
a speaker
Correct answer: a button
a printer
Q2.
Which of the following is an example of an output?
a keyboard
a mouse
a microphone
Correct answer: an LED display
Q3.
What is the purpose of an 'if statement' in programming?
to repeat a block of code multiple times
to store data in a variable
Correct answer: to make decisions based on a condition
to print a message to the screen
Q4.
Which of the following is an example of a condition that can be used in an if statement?
"Hello, world!"
10
temperature > 25
print("Welcome")
Q5.
What will be the output of the following Python code?
1234567
age = 15 if age >= 18: print("You can vote!") else: print("You cannot vote yet.")
You can vote!
Correct answer: You cannot vote yet.
15
An error message.
Q6.
Which of the following are valid ways to represent a condition in Python?
Correct answer: `x == 5`
Correct answer: `name != "Bob"`
score = 100
temperature < 0

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following statements about the micro:bit is true?
It can run multiple programs simultaneously.
It can directly connect to the World Wide Web.
Correct answer: It is a small, programmable computer that can execute one program at a time.
Programs for the micro:bit can only be written directly on the device itself.
Q2.
Where do you write programs for the micro:bit?
directly on the micro:bit
on a separate device using a special app
Correct answer: on a computer using a block-based editor
You can't write programs for the micro:bit; it comes with pre-loaded programs.
Q3.
Which component of the micro:bit is used to display information like numbers or letters?
buttons
Correct answer: LED display
light sensor
temperature sensor
Q4.
What is the purpose of the buttons on the micro:bit?
to measure the temperature
to detect movement
Correct answer: to capture user input and trigger actions in a program
to display information
Q5.
Which sensor on the micro:bit can detect how much light is falling on it?
temperature sensor
Correct answer: light sensor
accelerometer
compass
Q6.
Match the micro:bit component to its function.
Correct Answer:accelerometer,measures movement and detects gestures
tick

measures movement and detects gestures

Correct Answer:compass,detects magnetic north
tick

detects magnetic north

Correct Answer:radio,allows communication with other micro:bits
tick

allows communication with other micro:bits

Correct Answer:GPIO pins,can be used for both input and output
tick

can be used for both input and output