Hour of Code!
Learning how to code for our generation is much like learning how to read--it's a literacy issue. Though you may never code for fun (some people choose not to read, weird), you're expected to at least know the basics of how it works. Enter Hour of Code. We want to help every student in these United States learn the basics of coding.
Below I have three resources I think are pretty sweet. If you look at these and think 'meh', feel free to check out code.org and try something different.
Below I have three resources I think are pretty sweet. If you look at these and think 'meh', feel free to check out code.org and try something different.
Option 1:
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Lightbot is a relatively simple game. You use commands to guide a little robot around on a board to light up squares. This game introduces concepts of: command lines, programs, and loops all with drag and drop options.
It reminds me of a logic puzzle. |
Option 2:
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Here's a next step--learning to do some basic Minecraft actions using coding concepts. This uses drag and drop block programming to introduce if-statements and loops, rather than writing code in a particular language.
Please note: This is not the same as the regular Minecraft game! |
Option 3:
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CodeCombat introduces some of the basic concepts of using the Python programming language in a game format. Namely: indentation, precision with language, variables, loops, if-statements, and functions.
1. Create a login using your BVSD email. 2. Give yourself an epic name--mine is "Fluffy the Annihilator". No, really. 3. Start playing! There are 3 levels (or campaigns) to go through: Dungeon, Forest, and Desert. |
The resources below aren't for Hour of Code; they're just plain old cool.
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Though Alice is a bit more involved than a one time deal for an hour, I thought it worth introducing. If you want to play around with it at home, please feel free to do so.
Alice is an interactive 3D environment that teaches the basics of programming using drag and drop blocks of code. Alice isn't a kid version of programming--it's full-fledged Java in drag and drop form. I suggest starting with Hour of Code's introduction to Alice: Garfield. |
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If you have an iPad and are even remotely interested in programming, the app below is more than a wee bit addictive. I had to pry an iPad out of the hands of more than one student over the years.
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