Get programming with April's Mash of the Month: Purple Chip!

Each month we will be highlighting a #MashoftheMonth, this will focus on a tool or application within Purple Mash and how it can be used within the classroom to support learning across the curriculum. During the month, if you share how you have used #MashoftheMonth, you will then be entered into a draw to win a 2Simple Goody Bag!

The Mash of the Month for April is Purple Chip, our app which allows students to control an external device using code created in Purple Mash's 2Code Purple Chip tool.

You can find how to use Purple Chip in the classroom in our webinar in May, Programming Physical Devices.

Book the Webinar

What is Purple Chip?

Using the Purple Chip app in conjunction with our 2Code Purple Chip tool on Purple Mash allows students to control an external device (a phone or tablet) from code that has been written in and run from within Purple Mash.

When you download the Purple Chip app, it looks like a handheld gamepad:

What can students do with Purple Chip?

With the Purple Chip app and 2Code Purple Chip tool, students can:

Use the device's microphone to detect sound
Use the device's speakers to play a sound
Program tilt, shake and vibrate commands
Program the device to flash using the device's torch

They might, for example, write some code for when button A is pressed, the device's light flashes for 10 seconds:

They could also use the device as a controller for their game. For example, they might code their sprite to move left when they tilt the device left, or to disappear when button B is pressed: