7 - Microbits 3 - loops

• Computing
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

7 - Microbits 3 - Iteration

Key Objectives

All: Know what is meant by Iteration and how to create a loop.

Most: Recognize the usefulness of loops in programming, understand how accessories can be wired to the Microbit.

Some: Understand how to use loops to create a song with Microbit and play a song from the Microbit.

makecode.microbit.org

Recall challenge: Musical instrument

The LEDs on a Microbit can also sense light on a scale of 0-255

We can use this to change the pitch of a musical note.

Make the test Microbit play different notes depending on the light it receives.

Include: 

A variable

An if statement

Solution

You just made a super basic version of a theremin

Roll your foil up into two makeshift wires.

 wrap them around the top and bottom metal parts of the headphone jack and connect them to 0 and GND as shown above.

Write a smash hit!

Use blocks like these to write

 a short tune in sequence.

Write a song with iteration

Music contains loops and patterns. 

The best recording of a riff will often be digitally repeated, rather than played imperfectly over and over

1: Write a short riff in sequence.

2: Place your riff inside a for loop.

3: Manipulate the Index variable to make the riff play twice.

4: Write a second riff in sequence

5. Place that riff in a while loop which repeats twice.

 

Final task: Write a full length song with verses and a chorus.

What is iteration?

1. A method of structuring data
2. The process of repeating a set of instructions or operations until a specific condition is met
3. The act of combining two or more datasets into one
4. The process of debugging a program to eliminate errors

What did you find most challenging in today's lesson?