Learning with the BBC micro:bit involves introducing new terms and definitions for programming concepts and computational thinking concepts.
For students who use sign language as their primary language, it can be difficult to find appropriate signs for technical terms. This is why we have collated example signs in British and American Sign Language, based on existing established sources. This is not a definitive list, but purely a suggested starting point. If your school has found or created alternative signs, please do share with us at accessibility@microbit.org. We are particularly keen to hear from communities that have created their own sign for “micro:bit”.
This glossary is based on the micro:bit classroom glossary which includes definitions in written English for each term.
British Sign Language
Sources: This list mainly includes signs from the QIA ICT Dictionary (QIA) and the Scottish Sensory Centre BSL glossary (SSC). It has a bias toward Scottish dialect due to the available sources.
- Abstraction - no sign found, please share with us if you have one
- Acceleration (SSC)
- Algorithm (SSC)
- Code (SSC)
- Coding (SSC)
- Compass / magnetometer - no sign found, but magnetic field strength (SSC) may be helpful
- Data (1) (SSC) , Data (2) (SSC)
- Debug (SSC) and Bug (SSC)
- Decomposition - no sign found, please share with us if you have one
- Hardware (SSC)
- Inputs (SSC)
- LEDs - no sign found, please share with us if you have one
- Logic (QIA) and Logic error (SSC)
- Outputs (SSC)
- Pattern recognition - no sign found, please share with us if you have one
- Programming (SSC)
- Run (QIA)
- Loop (QIA)
- Infinite loop (SignBSL)
- Sensor (SSC)
- Sequence (QIA)
- Software (SSC)
- Variable (1) (QIA) , Variable (2) (SSC)
American Sign Language
Sources: This list includes signs from ASLCORE and the DeafTEC Stem Dictionary, as well as the the detailed ASL Blockly Video Glossary produced by Deaf Kids Code (DKC).
- Abstraction - no sign found, please share with us if you have one
- Accelerometer (ASLCORE) , Acceleration (ASLCORE)
- Algorithm (DeafTEC) , Algorithm (ASLCORE) , Algorithm (DKC)
- Code (1) (ASLCORE) , Code (DKC)
- Compass (ASLCORE)
- Data (DeafTEC) , Data (DKC)
- Debugging (ASLCORE) , Debugging (DKC) , Bugs (DKC)
- Decomposition (DKC)
- Hardware (DeafTEC)
- Input (ASLCORE) , Inputs (DKC)
- LEDs (ASLCORE)
- Logic (DKC)
- Loop (ASLCORE) , Loops (DKC) , Loops - While (DKC) , Loops - Forever (DKC)
- micro:bit (DKC)
- Output (ASLCORE) , Output (DKC)
- Pattern recognition - no sign found, please share with us if you have one
- Program (ASLCORE) , Program (DKC)
- Run (DKC)
- Selection - no sign found, please share with us if you have one
- Sensor (ASLCORE)
- Sequence (DKC)
- Software (DeafTEC)
- Variable (1) (DeafTEC) , Variable (2) (DeafTEC) , Variable (DKC)
Additional MakeCode related signs
For talking about how to code in MakeCode, these ASL signs from Deaf Kids Code may be useful.
Other sign languages
Please get in touch with us at accessibility@microbit.org to share insights into other sign languages.