Starter quiz
- What is the small computer used in many physical computing projects?
- 'micro:bit' ✓
- What do you call the device that detects temperature, motion or light in a project?
- 'sensor' ✓
- Which part of the micro:bit can detect light levels?
- the LED display ✓
- the accelerometer
- the buttons
- the speaker
-
- What is the first step when starting a project?
- Build a prototype.
- Write a report about the project.
- Create a plan with goals. ✓
- Gather feedback.
-
- Why is it important to follow a plan when building your project?
- A plan helps you know what steps to take and what materials to use. ✓
- A plan makes the prototype more colourful.
- A plan guarantees the project will work without feedback.
- A plan makes the prototype smaller.
-
- What should you do if you receive feedback about your project that suggests changes?
- Ignore the feedback if you think the project is fine.
- Use the feedback to make improvements or adjustments. ✓
- Rush to finish the project without considering the feedback.
- Start a new project instead.
-
Exit quiz
- What do you call a project’s first version that helps test the project’s ideas?
- 'prototype' ✓
- What does a prototype allow you to do in a project?
- Display the final version of the project.
- Test and improve the design. ✓
- Write the program for the micro:bit.
- Share the project with others.
-
- Match each step with its correct description.
- Planning⇔organise and define goals, resources and design details ✓
- Building the prototype⇔develop a rough version of your project to test ideas ✓
- Testing and self-reflection⇔check how the prototype works and consider possible improvements ✓
- Refining the prototype⇔make improvements and adjustments ✓
- Why is it important to build a prototype before completing the final project?
- to make the project look more complex
- to identify and fix any design issues early ✓
- to showcase your work to the audience
- to make sure the project uses a lot of materials
-
- What is an important feature of a good prototype?
- It is functional and demonstrates key concepts. ✓
- It looks exactly like the final project.
- It uses the most materials.
- It is the smallest possible design.
-
- Put the steps for building and improving a physical computing project in the correct order.
- 1⇔Create a plan for the project, including goals and resources.
- 2⇔Build the prototype according to your plan.
- 3⇔Test the prototype to check its functionality.
- 4⇔Reflect on your project.
- 5⇔Refine the prototype based on self-reflection and testing.
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Build a physical computing device based on a design plan.
- Improve a project by incorporating feedback and making changes.
Common misconception
Building a physical computing project is just about putting the parts together. The code is not that important.
The code tells the hardware what to do and how to interact with the world, without the code it wouldn't move or do anything interesting!
Keywords
Audience - the intended users of the physical computing project
Prototype - an early model of a program or digital system
+