The BBC is giving a million Micro Bits, mini-computers similar to the much-lauded Raspberry Pi, to 11-year-old children across the United Kingdom to support its bid to make the country more digital.
The Micro Bits will be given to students starting secondary school on the autumn term. The free mini-computers will be supplemented by coding-based activities and programs that the BBC will also launch.
The gifts of free mini-computers are part of the BBC's initiative to sharpen the digital skills of the youth, who would help fill the significant digital skills shortage being experienced in the United Kingdom today.
The United Kingdom will need to fill 1.4 million jobs with digital professionals over the coming five years, and the BBC is joined by organizations such as Microsoft, Google, BT, TeenTech, Code Club and Young Rewired State to address the issue.
At the Make It Digital initiative launch, the BBC's director-general Tony Hall explained the reason behind the company's involvement.
"This is exactly what the BBC is all about - bringing the industry together on an unprecedented scale and making a difference to millions," Hall said.
The BBC is hoping that the Micro Bit will captivate the minds of children for them to become interested in learning about programming and coding at a young age, with the mini-computer serving as a foundation before the children move up to more advanced computers such as Raspberry Pi.
The Micro Bit is still at its prototype stage though, and the BBC is working on the project with partners such as ARM, Samsung and Microsoft to develop the final product. Once the Micro Bit is launched in September, the computer is expected to be compatible with the C++, Python and Touch Develop coding languages and will feature Bluetooth connectivity to allow it to link with other devices, including the Raspberry Pi.
Children can create text through the Micro Bit's LED lights, and the mini-computer can also be used to develop basic games. The learning resources for the Micro Bit are currently being developed with the assistance of the Raspberry Pi foundation.
Gareth Stockdale of BBC Learning, who is developing the Micro Bit, revealed that the mini computers are being created so that the BBC can raise awareness about the issue being addressed. The BBC will then withdraw completely from the mini computer market; after one million Micro Bit mini-computers are given away, the BBC will not make any more units.
The BBC will also launch an apprenticeship program for 5,000 young but unemployed people for boosting digital skills such as building websites and creating videos, in cooperation with the Department for Work and Pensions.
The BBC is also bringing digital content into programs including East Enders, the One Show and Doctor Who.
"With a dedicated season of programming on the BBC, 5,000 digital trainees, one million children who take their first steps with a Micro Bit, and a host of educational activity, we hope to inspire a new generation to get creative with digital," said Make It Digital controller Jessica Cecil.
