Getting Started

If you want to use this website site to learn about computer programing in Quorum Studio using a Finch 2.0 Robot this page has an outline of what you need to get started and sugguests the order of lessons and links to resorces you will need. Self learner proceed at the own pace. They have access to the possible code solutions  to use and recieve access to new resouces as they need them. 

What You Need

1. Computer. Windows 10 or 11  or Apple with Mac OS 13+. Older computer may work but newer, faster computers provide the best expeince 
2. Quorum Studio. This is the IDE or integrated Development Environment for the Quorum Programming Language.  
   1. Download the software for your computer to use Quorum Studio 6.3. This part of the Quorum Language website. (Free dowload and support)
   2. Learning how to use Quorum Studio. There are two lessons that help how to use the Quorum Studio and the Block program system that is used by Beginner and Professioanl programers.
      1. Part One (Hour 1: Introduction to Computer Science) No robots here, you first need to learn how to use the IDE 
         
      2. Part Two (Hour 2: Scaffolded Blocks Programming)learn how to use the IDE and Block System. 
3. Get a Finch 2.0 Robot
   1. Where to buy.  BirdBrain Technologies Store, Amazon Shop. You will get a Robot and MicroBit 2.0+ 
   2. How to Charge the Finch 2.0.  and Inserting the MicroBit Card into the Finch 2.0 VIDEOS!
   3. Download BlueBird Connector. Mac or Windows  This is the tool that runs on your computer and permit loading your computer code from Quorum Studio to the Finch using BlueTooth. It will run on the computer you are going to use with Quorum Studio. 
      1. Using the BlueBird Connector MAC
      2. Using the BlueBird Connector Windows
   4. Connecting - once you have installed the microbit card and have  BlueBird Connect running Turn on the Finch 2.0 using the big black button on the bottom of the Finch. On the front display of the Micro:bit you should see 3 letters flashing one at time. You should see the same letters (and some cool words to match them) on the BlueBird Window. Click on it 
      1. If you don't see the 3 letters flashing on the Micro:bit that may mean that the BitFirmware.hex file was not properly downloaded onto your micro:bit. If you are having trouble downloading the provided BitFirmware.hex file, see our article titled, “Why is my BitFirmware.hex file not showing up on my micro:bit?”
   5. Dowlnload the BitFirmware.hex file.   Write instructions for this

Welcome to the getting started lesson plan hints and tricks
Here I will provide additional help getting started wit h the Finch 2.0 Robot and the Quorum Studio Editor. 

We will discuss what you will need to get ready before starting lessons with your students. 

The lessons and units you see in the main menu are written from the student or self learners viewpoint. They assume that Quorum Studio has been install and the facilitator has mastered and demonstrated how to create a project in it. As a teacher I suggest that you do two Lessons from the Quorum Language Website. There are two lessons that help how to use the Quorum Studio and the Block program system that is used by Beginner and Professioanl programers.

1. Part One (Hour 1: Introduction to Computer Science) No robots here, you first need to learn how to use the IDE 
2. Part Two (Hour 2: Scaffolded Blocks Programming)learn how to use the IDE and Block System. 

NOTE: Quorum studio is an application the works in Windows and in the Apple Macintosh OSs. It is does on work on Chromebooks or other OS or on iPads. There are other iPad and Chromebook apps that will work with the Finch 2.0 in other text and block program languages. These however are not assessable to all learner. One of the guiding principles of the Quorum Programming Language is to make the experience accessible to all learners. The focus of the website is on making a universal experience for every student. The author has experience, especially with students that are blind or have low vision. 

Getting your Finch 2.0
Free Demo for 30 days for K-12 educators from BirdBraining Technologies. www.birdbraintechnologies.com/demo/ 
Fill out a form and get all the info you need. 
You can buy a  Finch 2.0 robot or a whole flock of robots at  BirdBrain Technologies Store, or their Amazon Shop.
In Nebraska visit the Nebraska Libary Commision to  about loan of the Finch 2.0 Kit nlc.nebraska.gov/Tech/kits/finch.aspx
Please visit your state's STEM website to learn about loans in your area. 

1. Getting the Finch 2.0 Robot ready
   1. Installing the Micro-Bit Card  and Charging the Finch 2.0 Installing the Micro-Bit Card  and Charging the Finch 2.0   Videos!
   2.  Download BlueBird Connector. Mac or Windows  This is the tool that runs on your computer and permit loading your computer code from Quorum Studio to the Finch using BlueTooth. It will run on the computer you are going to use with Quorum Studio. 
      1. Using the BlueBird Connector MAC
      2. Using the BlueBird Connector Windows
   3. Connecting - once you have installed the microbit card and have  BlueBird Connect running Turn on the Finch 2.0 using the big black button on the bottom of the Finch. On the front display of the Micro:bit you should see 3 letters flashing one at time. You should see the same letters (and some cool words to match them) on the BlueBird Window. Click on it and it will activiate the link between the Finc h 2.0 and your computer.  (bluetooth)
      1. If you don't see the 3 letters flashing on the Micro:bit that may mean that the BitFirmware.hex file was not properly downloaded onto your micro:bit. If you are having trouble downloading the provided BitFirmware.hex file, see the article titled, “Why is my BitFirmware.hex file not showing up on my micro:bit?”

 Parts of the Finch 2.0 Robot

Updating the Microbit firmware Link from BirdBrain Tech 

Dowlnload the BitFirmware.hex file.   Write instructions for this

 

You and your students should now be ready to write the computer code to make things happen with the  Finch 2.0 Robot.  

Start with the 4 beginning Lessons B1-B4 
Then it is sugested to do the 

• Output Lessons
• Sensor Lessons

These lessons build on each others if done in the suggested order. 

Getting Started Starts Here