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3 – Algorithms

🎯 Learning Objectives

  • To use the micro:bit to develop understanding of problem solving and application documentation.

💬 Key Vocabulary

  • pseudocode
  • development log
  • character
  • variable

📝 Starter Activity – Breaking into a bank

  • How does a bank safe lock work?
  • What do you need to do in order to use a basic combination lock?

📝 Level 1 – Time to plan

  • Programming isn’t just about following step-by-step guides; you have to start thinking about solving problems and what tools you are going to need to create a solution.
  • Use the Level 1 – ‘What is It Doing?’ sheet to describe what these code blocks are doing.
Download Level 1 Worksheet

📝 Level 2 – Time to code

  • Create a basic safe lock system using the Blocks Editor which uses a number between 0 and 10 to ‘open’ the lock.
  • Use the Level 2 worksheet to help you, also complete the two extension tasks as well.
  • Go to https://makecode.microbit.org/ like you’ve done before to start coding, create a new project called “Lesson 3 – Crack the safe”.
Download Level 2 Worksheet

📖 Pseudocode

  • This is a Computer Science term. It means “simplified code which is easy for a human to read and is used for planning the logic and flow of a program.”
  • A computer can’t run or understand it, but you can use it to test the logic of a program.
  • The advantage of using the code blocks is that they are very simple to use and display a program in a basic, logical and easy-to-follow way.
  • A downside of the code blocks, however, is that they are very big.
  • Pseudocode is written in plain English and is easy for a human to read. It represents the logic and flow of a program.

Here are some examples of pseudocode and makecode equivalents.

Pseudocode

IF button_b isPressed THEN

SET lockCode to 5

SET testLockCode to 0

Makecode blocks

Pseudocode

IF button_a isPressed THEN

ADD 1 to testLockCode

  IF testLockCode = 10 THEN

  SET testLockCode to 0

OUTPUT testLockCode on screen

Makecode blocks

📝 Level 3 – Development Log

  • Take a screenshot of your Safe Lock micro:bit code. Put it into a new Word document and use textboxes and arrows to explain what each section is doing.
  • Remember the decomposition of the problem – this would be a logical way to annotate it.

📝 Plenary

  • What have we learnt today?
  • Can you add any notes to your micro:bit notes sheet, such as some of the limitations of the Block Editor or what Pseudo Code is and how it can help develop applications?

In this lesson, you…

  • Planned and created code for a safe lock system
  • Annotated your code in a development log
  • Used if statements in your code to choose which outcome should occur.

Next lesson, you will…

  • critically reflect on the Python code you made for your BBC micro:bit.
  • evaluate your code to identify any bugs and ensure it meets the project requirements.
  • use the self review to help consolidate your understanding of fundamental programming concepts.

🏅 Level up

🥇 Level 1

  • Complete the worksheet to plan what your code will do, then upload it to Teams.

🥈 Level 2

  • Complete the code as shown in the worksheet and then screenshot it and upload to Teams.

🥉 Level 3

  • Upload your development log to Teams.