Have you ever been curious about what's under the hood of your computer or devices with embedded computer architecture? Or have you wondered how you might engage your students in being more curious about how today's technology is built? Then this post is for you!
This semester I've been enrolled in the 4th class in a 5-course Computer Science Certificate program offered by University of Vermont - EDCI 5004 Computer Organization for Educators. Although I had an overall understanding that what happened under the hood of computers was done in binary code that used the on/off status of circuits to transmit data and instructions, I was introduced to so much more about computer architecture and organization during this class.
However, the layers of abstraction between high level programming languages and machine language that drive the circuitry made some of the concepts difficult for me to grasp. Despite the struggle, I have gained a much more in depth understanding of computer organization, especially binary representation and logic gates.
As an advocate of project based learning, I knew that my Final Project for the class would need to include some type of physical computing component that could help those of us who think with our hands grasp some of these more abstract topics. I imagined several possibilities including designing our own simple circuit boards with my CNC machine, creating interactive paper circuits, programming e-textile projects with sewable circuit boards driven by the ATTiny microprocessor. So many ideas came to mind.
But ultimately I decided that the micro:bit had the most potential to make the concepts less abstract to the population I work with (under-represented populations in CS starting in middle school).
- Micro:bits are affordable and accessible to middle school classrooms. Many schools already own them.
- They unveil just the right amount of pins to create a logic gate with two inputs that can control one external output.
- It would be possible to daisy chain them together to simulate processes that use multiple logic gates to achieve the desired outcomes!
Soon after I started this inquiry, I found that I was not the only one who saw this potential. Thanks to new knowledge I have gained this semester from our EDCI 5004 instructor, Clayton Cafiero, I actually was able to understood Giles Booth's blog post explaining how he used micro:bits to simulate half adders, full adders, and flip flops. Reading these convinced me that I was on the right track for my class project - but I had a different goal in mind.
I wanted to create a low threshold, wide walls, high ceiling learning opportunity that would leave students with a deeper understanding of logic gates and the role they play in the technology they use daily. My goal was not for them to replicate Giles Booth's full adder project, but instead be able to read through the project and understand the references to logic gates. I also wanted to lay the foundation that would give curious students the confidence they needed to further explore these types of advanced projects.
Below is my final project that leads students through the process of designing their own Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) that can be used in game play. They will start with simple logic gates and combine them as part of a game, puzzle, or other fun experience (i.e. Escape Room). By the end, they will understand that every digital decision in phones, computers, or their favorite game is built from the same simple building blocks of yes and no decisions found in logic gates.
Logic Gates: A Hands-On Learning Experience Using micro:bit
Designed for those of us who think with their hands
"...our bodies and minds are connected.
We get excited about touching and feeling an idea that at one moment resides only in our minds and the next it's in our hands."
"...sometimes our hands know before our minds know."
📚 Project Resources
Teacher Slide Deck
Presentation materials and teaching notes for delivering the lesson
Lesson Plan
Complete lesson plan with CSTA standards, objectives, and assessments
Challenge Cards
Interactive game design challenges for students (Easy, Standard, Advanced)
These resources are being shared through a Creative Commons ShareAlike Non-Commercial license. You can access all materials at [CreateMakeLearn.blogspot.com] (add your link).
If you try parts of this learning experience with your students, I'd love to hear about it!
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