PJ023: Digital Dice by Micro:bit

This project uses a single Micro:bit to implement 3 versions of Digital Dice, this is part of the starting experience of Micro:bit and basic programming logic of if-else and usage of Variable . Junior learners should take Task 1-2, challenge takers should try Task 3-4 further. Goals:

Fun playing with Micro:bit with gesture sensor to catch shaking events
Practice of basic if-else logic, and nested if-else up to 2 levels
Basic usage of Variable (numeric integer type), up to 2 variables in use
A basic experience using simulator and debugging mode

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PJ000-1st-Experience-with-Microbit-and-MakeCode-Homework-Digital-Dice-with-Lucky-Number.mp4

This is a demo for Task 2

Tools & Materials

Task 1: Digital Numeric Dice

Task 2: Digital Graphical Dice with Celebration for "A Lucky-6"

Task 3: Digital Graphical Dice with Celebration for "Double-6"

Task 4: Extended Learning and Exploring

Challenge 1: How Soon Can you Draw "A Lucky-6"?

Challenge 2: Two Draws as "Sum-10"

Knowledge test, reflection and discussion

Referred/Used By

Efforts Estimation

[ ] Simple: 30-60 minutes

[x] Moderate: 1-2 hours

[ ] Challenging: more than 2 hours

The estimation bases on average situation without unexpected troubleshooting, assuming that the student meets prerequisites. It only indicates rough time needed to complete this project, but not about technical difficulty, not covering discussion and sharing time. Possible breakdown:

Task 1: 10 minutes
Task 2: 15-30 minutes
Task 3: 30-45 minutes

Prerequisite

One should have prior knowledge

PJ000: 1st Experience with Micro:bit and MakeCode

Tools & Materials

A laoptop or tablet with internet access
1x TM005: Micro:bit V2 board

Task 1: Digital Numeric Dice

Purpose: Simplest version with basic feature as a starting

Requirement:

On shaking, display random number 1-6 on the LED screen

Test with Simulator in MakeCode:

Test Case 1:
Shake the board, the LED screen should show a number ranged 1-6
Test Case 2:
Repeat test case 1, until you can ensure all 6 numbers can be covered

Test with Target Micro:bit:

Test Case 1:
Shake the board, the LED screen should show a number ranged 1-6

Submit the Work:

Please submit your work to Google Classroom (here is a guide)

Examples & Tips:

You can check this "Dice" project from microbit.org as an example

Basic Knowledge:

How to get catch gesture shaking event
How to get random number

Task 2: Digital Graphical Dice with Celebration for "A Lucky-6"

Purpose: Typical use case for Variable and if-else

Requirement:

On shaking, display random one of below 6 simulated icons on the LED screen
When drawing a "lucky 6", play a celebration sound

Test with Simulator in MakeCode:

Test Case 1:
Shake the board, the LED screen should show a random icon
Test Case 2:
Repeat test case 1, until you can ensure all 6 icons can be covered
Test Case 3:
When drawing a "lucky 6", a celebration sound is heard

Test with Target Micro:bit:

Test Case 1:
Shake the board, the LED screen should show a random icon
Test Case 2:
When drawing a "lucky 6", a celebration sound is heard

Submit the Work:

Please submit your work to Google Classroom (here is a guide)

Examples & Tips:

You can check this "Graphical dice" from microbit.org as an example
A working copy here as shared project in MakeCode

Basic Knowledge:

Same as Task 1
Use a variable to remember the number
if-else logic
Play a sound

Learn with Simulator Debugging in MakeCode:

The tutor shows you how to use debugger, with

Slow-motion
Breakpoint setting
Stepping
Variable values inspection
If-else branching decision and actual steps execution

A different solutions by the students

Reference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWoQrZ5v-uQ

Task 3: Digital Graphical Dice with Celebration for "Double-6"

Purpose: A small challenge, typical use case in need of nested if-else, and 2 Variables

Requirement:

On shaking, display random one of below 6 simulated icons on the LED screen
Only when drawing "Double-6" (twice of "lucky 6" continuously), play a celebration sound

Test with Simulator in MakeCode:

Test Case 1:
Shake the board, the LED screen should show a random icon
Test Case 2:
Repeat test case 1, until you can ensure all 6 icons can be covered
Test Case 3:
Only when drawing "Double-6", a celebration sound is heard

Test with Target Micro:bit:

Test Case 1:
Shake the board, the LED screen should show a random icon
Test Case 3:
Only when drawing "Double-6", a celebration sound is heard

Examples & Tips:

Use Task 2 as a base, no working copy as example here, please explore and try out your ideas!

Basic Knowledge:

Same as Task 2
New need of extra variable to remember the previous result

Submit the Work:

Please submit your work to Google Classroom (here is a guide)

Learn with Simulator Debugging in MakeCode:

This task contains 2 levels of if-else logic, and 2 variables, it's very interesting to inspect them using debugger, with

How the 2 Variable values are changed
If-else branching decision and actual steps execution, especially the nested if-else

Task 4: Extended Learning and Exploring

Purpose: Creative task for your ideas, as an optional challenge task

Challenge 1: How Soon Can you Draw "A Lucky-6"?

Based on Task 2, but count how many times drawing has happened before the user gets "A Lucky 6".

Hint: An Extra variable is needed to count the times of drawing, need to have a way to show the counting result, either show on LED screen, or print to serial monitor (if you know what/how)

Challenge 2: Two Draws as "Sum-10"

Based on Task 3, keep original feature of Task 3, and add extra feature to also celebrate "Sum-10", which means 2 continuous draws results summing up as 10.

Knowledge test, reflection and discussion

Purpose: Enhance basic knowledge understanding, reflect and summarize what we have learnt

Step 1: Knowledge Check

What is variable, what is the main purpose of using it in this project?
How do we get shaking input? What will it happen?

Tips: Review knowledge from here if needed

KB007: Variable Basic Concept

Step 2: Review and discuss

Follow the tutor to take 5-10 minutes to review the questions and answers, correct some possible misunderstood issues or faults

Reflect for findings and questions!

Take 1-2 minutes to explore anything on the tools and the making flow, with curiosity, no matter how much prior knowledge you have, you should make

At least 1 interesting finding
At least 1 curious question

Referred/Used By

Used by LP2520.B: Start A Bit Programming, 25w20