Little Bird Micro:Bit 24 Project Kit

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

encoder

An encoder is a sensor that converts the rotation or position of a shaft, knob or dial into electrical signals, reporting movement as incremental steps and direction, or as an absolute position. It is used to track how far something has turned, which matters for precise positioning, speed control, repeatable movement, or using a rotary knob as an input.

OLED

OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode, a display type where each pixel produces its own light. It matters because OLED screens are thin, high-contrast and easy to read for small status displays, but they can be more sensitive to image burn-in than some other display types.

photocell

A light-sensitive component whose electrical resistance changes with the amount of light falling on it. It matters when choosing or using light sensors, automatic lights, or brightness-detecting circuits because its response speed, resistance range, and sensitivity affect how reliably it detects light levels.

potentiometer

A variable resistor usually turned with a knob or shaft to create an adjustable electrical signal. It is often used for inputs such as volume, brightness or position, so it helps beginners learn how a microcontroller reads changing values.

Reed switch

A small switch sealed in glass that opens or closes when a magnet is nearby. It is useful for simple door, lid, wheel, or position sensing because it can detect motion without needing to be pressed directly.

RGB

Short for red, green and blue, the three primary colours of light that are mixed in varying amounts to make a wide range of colours. In electronics RGB can refer to an LED or pixel that blends these three colours, or to a colour signal or interface that carries separate red, green and blue channels.