diff --git a/simpleio.py b/simpleio.py
index 4d553fc..da0ab95 100644
--- a/simpleio.py
+++ b/simpleio.py
@@ -28,6 +28,72 @@
 
 import digitalio
 import math
+import time
+
+def shift_in(dataPin, clock, msb_first=True):
+    """
+    Shifts in a byte of data one bit at a time. Starts from either the LSB or
+    MSB.
+
+    :param ~digitalio.DigitalInOut dataPin: pin on which to input each bit
+    :param ~digitalio.DigitalInOut clock: toggles to signal dataPin reads
+    :param bool msb_first: True when the first bit is most significant
+    :return: returns the value read
+    :rtype: int
+    """
+
+    value = 0
+    i = 0
+
+    for i in range(0, 8):
+        clock.value = True
+        if msb_first:
+            value |= ((dataPin.value) << (7-i))
+        else:
+            value |= ((dataPin.value) << i)
+        clock.value = False
+        i+=1
+    return value
+
+def shift_out(dataPin, clock, value, msb_first=True):
+    """
+    Shifts out a byte of data one bit at a time. Data gets written to a data
+    pin. Then, the clock pulses hi then low
+
+    :param ~digitalio.DigitalInOut dataPin: value bits get output on this pin
+    :param ~digitalio.DigitalInOut clock: toggled once the data pin is set
+    :param bool msb_first: True when the first bit is most significant
+    :param int value: byte to be shifted
+
+    Example for Metro M0 Express:
+
+    .. code-block:: python
+
+        import digitalio
+        import simpleio
+        from board import *
+        clock = digitalio.DigitalInOut(D12)
+        dataPin = digitalio.DigitalInOut(D11)
+        clock.direction = digitalio.Direction.OUTPUT
+        dataPin.direction = digitalio.Direction.OUTPUT
+
+        while True:
+            valueSend = 500
+            # shifting out least significant bits
+            shift_out(dataPin, clock, (valueSend>>8), msb_first = False)
+            shift_out(dataPin, clock, valueSend, msb_first = False)
+            # shifting out most significant bits
+            shift_out(dataPin, clock, (valueSend>>8))
+            shift_out(dataPin, clock, valueSend)
+    """
+    value = value&0xFF
+    for i in range(0, 8):
+        if msb_first:
+            tmpval = bool(value & (1 << (7-i)))
+            dataPin.value = tmpval
+        else:
+            tmpval = bool((value & (1 << i)))
+            dataPin.value = tmpval
 
 class DigitalOut:
     """