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The KittenBot IObit is an extension board for the micro:bit. You need an extension board when you want to connect more than 3 components to a micro:bit or when a component needs more than the 3 volts that micro:bit can supply. I bought mine from Adafruit for $7 + $4 shipping. You can also get them from Amazon (and obviously from kittenbot).
Picture
It has a built in buzzer (top middle) and a switch to use it or not. It has an mp3/headphone jack (bottom left). They included the large pin blocks (bottom middle) similar to what the micro:bit has. We are given headers for all of the pins (middle rows of yellow red black) There are 3 5V pins (left end of pin row). The 5V power supply is USB micro and has an on/off switch (bottom right).

I love the price. I like that you can utilize all the pins of the micro:bit. I like the 5V pins for servos and certain sensors. I like the mp3 jack and the built in buzzer. I like the on/off switch when using 5V. I am not sure yet about USB power of only 5V. 
Some extension boards can handle from 5-10V and they have a power regulator to only supply the 3V or 5V to appropriate pins (that way you can use combinations of AA or AAA or 9V batteries). I would like a couple of motor drivers also - but not having those is probably why they can price this at $7.

Picture
I bought a cell phone charger battery pack (5000 mAh , $15) as a mobile power source. It is about 3 times the size of the IObit. I could have looked harder for a smaller one. There are some that are credit card size and some that are lipstick size (sometimes things dont pop up on my radar the first time). Interesting thing that I have to investigate...if the IObit is not pulling power from the battery, it shuts off. 

The other thing you will need to buy are jumper wires to connect components. You will want socket to alligator AND socket to pin combos. 

I did some 3-5 minute videos about using the IObit with the micro:bit and makecode block coding. 
Here is the playlist  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo6W7Aw8EPRC7s1ZZpsxNI2jeYWPCy0uS 

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  • Home
  • MakerEd is
  • the journey
  • Services
  • Presentations
    • Maker Centered Learning
    • MakerSpaces not just a room
    • Low Cost Low Tech Maker Materials
    • MakerMarketSchool
    • microbit
    • ScreenCasting >
      • what is it
      • examples
      • why do this
      • how to make them available
      • recording tools
      • microphones
      • web hosting
      • iPad options
      • tips
      • resources
    • Student Voices For Assessment >
      • Why
      • StudentVoicesExamples
      • Tools to Create
      • TurningInTheWork
      • TechnicalIssues
      • OtherIdeas
      • YourTurn
    • Tweet Yourself Right
    • Educational Vision of Calvin & Hobbes
    • Wearables
  • me
    • Resume
    • playtime
  • Maker Resources
  • Maker Van
  • Coding&Robotics
    • MakeCode
    • microbit
    • Makerbit
    • bitbooster
    • CRICKIT
    • kittenbot
    • CircuitPlaygroundExpress
    • Edison
    • FiriaLabs
    • VEX
  • CardboardConnectors
  • resonance
    • books
    • videos
    • education & science issues