This class does not require any out-of-class work. We do offer optional challenges that students can work on as an extension of what is taught in class. We provide guidance and instructions for students who are inspired to delve deeper into the topic. The purpose of these challenges is to give students the opportunity to supplement their learning with additional material that aligns with their passions and goals. Students may then integrate their learnings into their project and showcase their accomplishments to their classmates.
With this approach, students can explore the subject on their own. We give students the opportunity to share what theyāve explored independently with the class.
Assessment
At Connected Camps, we assess each studentās progress by engaging them in reflection of their own work and the work of their classmates. By building in Roblox and applying concepts taught in class, our students are able to solidify their learnings through hands-on application. Our counselorsā focus is to provide qualitative feedback to further each studentsā individual goals and interests, and we do not use letter or number grades.
In addition to our in-class reflections, our counselors also provide post-session recaps that offer a summary of what is accomplished each day. Through these summary reflections, students are able to review the material and share with their parents what they did in class. We find this approach allows kids of different interests and abilities to engage with our teachings in a way that is particularly relevant to them.
Grading
included
Class Experience
PLATFORM:
(Roblox Studio is free and can be obtained here: https://www.roblox.com/create. Mac and Windows ONLY! Not compatible with Ipads, Kindles, Tablets, Phones, and Game Consoles.)
SKILL LEVEL:
This program is meant for Intermediate level players. This program requires Advanced reading comprehension, Moderate proficiency with computers, and some prior experience with Roblox. Additionally, campers will need typing and hotkey proficiency, along with basic arithmetic skills.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
Code is a language that machines use to communicate and create systems and objects just like the ones you see in your favorite games. In this course, youāll get to build interactive game objects thatāll enhance your game design such as disappearing paths, deadly traps, and unique power-ups. Like all Connected Camps programs, this class offers a project-based, exploratory classroom environment that sits at the intersection of learning and playing. After all, kids learn the most when they're having fun!
To make these cool devices, youāll use a lightweight programming language called Lua to create functions, loops, tables, and arrays.
Just like a real-life programmer, youāll create and adjust written code to change the way an object behaves.
During these 5-sessions, you will:
ā Learn the coding fundamentals of Lua to create scripts and modify different properties.
ā Use functions and loops to build traps, power-ups, and timed objects.
ā Use array tables to store values in a specific order and create character dialogue.
ā Discover how to troubleshoot your code and read a programming error message to fix it.
At the start of course, youāll learn the basics of Lua coding to familiarize yourself with the Roblox programming language. After learning the fundamentals, youāll use functions, loops, tables, and arrays to create interactive game objects. Weāll teach you how to troubleshoot your own code and fix it when something goes wrong. Youāll also receive plenty of feedback from other students during group playtesting.
By the end of the program, youāll be able to design and create unique traps and devices to make your Roblox games fun and exciting!
PARENTS:
Machines and computers are empowered by code which is essentially the language that tells electronic devices what to do. In this course your child will explore a basic programming language called Lua while they work within the 3D world of Roblox. As your child codes and taps into their critical thinking skills, theyāll be able to see the results of their programming by watching their game transform.
Students in this workshop are encouraged to share their observations and engage in constructive group discussions. We provide a careful balance between hands-on experience and class discussion so students can cement their learning through personal application and growth.
This is a 5-session course that runs once a week.. During a session, your child will learn from expert Connected Camps counselors in Roblox Studio. Additionally, your child can continue their learning by applying the discoveries made in this class to their future projects. Please note that we will be asking for your camper's in-game username so that we can connect and play together.
Learning Goals
Students will learn to program an obstacle course (Obby) using Lua coding concepts like variables, loops, functions, and hooks/events in Roblox Studio.
Syllabus
5 Lessons
over 5 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Setting Up
Learning organized projects are easier to manage when you start coding.
Students will start building an Obby. The purpose of this activity is to start building out an obstacle course that the students will modify throughout the week.
90 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Lua Basics
Learning coding fundamentals that will be used throughout the course.
Students will learn how to change a Part's properties. The purpose of this activity is to teach students how to change a partās properties through code.
90 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Loops
Students will expand upon basic ideas to create parts that continuously interact in their world.
Students will create a Looping Block and a Kill Block. The purpose of these activities is to teach students how to make a set of code run continuously throughout their game and how to use a kill script in their Obby.
90 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Events
Students will utilize events to make their game react to our playerās actions.
Students will use a teleport script and click detectors. Teleport scripts help students to get a good understanding of events, functions, and conditionals. With click detectors, students will learn a new event that adds more interactions to their Obbys.
90 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Internet safety is a top priority for us and our goal is to create a safe, connected community of learners that is moderated by our instructors. Throughout our programs we strive to educate our learners on internet safety and best practices for connecting online.
In our programs, our learners are often making friendships and connections with others in class. While we encourage positive online friendships, we think itās important to practice these principles of internet safety:
ā Do NOT ask others to connect online outside of our programs without first confirming with your parents. Our programs are a safe, moderated space for learners to engage but we canāt moderate connections outside of our classes.
ā Do NOT give away personal information which includes but is not limited to: your name, address, phone number, passwords, location, email address, and parental information.
ā If an individual asks for personal information, you should inform a counselor or your parent for guidance.
āāā
Common Sense Media Resources for Parents:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/keeping-games-fun-and-friendly
Keeping Games Fun and Friendly: learn how to keep your child's experiences positive and fun when communicating in online games with others.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/video/modal/4141366#
The Power of Words: help your child learn that words exchanged online are indeed powerful, and offer strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/private-and-personal-information
Private and Personal Information: learn the difference between what personal things your child can safely share online and private information that should not be shared.
Supply List
For this class you will need a pair of headphones, a microphone, and Roblox Studio. Roblox Studio is free, works on both Mac and Windows and can be obtained here: https://www.roblox.com/create
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Connected Camps is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2015 with the mission to build a global online community where kids build, code, play, and learn alongside one another. Our programs are designed based on extensive research in the learning sciences. The founders and leaders of Connected Camps, Mimi Ito and Katie Salen, are professors at the University of California, Irvine, who specialize in the design of online learning experiences that are fun, social, and directly tied to academic outcomes. Learn more about the research behind Connected Camps at the Connected Learning Alliance resource site: https://clalliance.org/
One thing that makes our programs unique is our near-peer mentorship model. Our programs are led by young adults and college students, often with the help of high school volunteers. We hire counselors and coaches from top universities in computer science, game development, economics, social studies, and the arts, and train them on how to facilitate project-based learning with younger kids. Our young instructors have the same passion for technology, games, and digital making as our learners, and take on the role of instructors, as well as fellow enthusiasts and relatable role models.
The curriculum for this program was designed by a team of counselors pursuing degrees relevant to the material at hand. The learning experiences in this class are driven by these counselorsā academic expertise in the field, along with their desire to share their passion for the subject with a group of excited learners. All of Connected Campsā curricula are vetted by the organizationās Product Manager, Matthew, who possesses a Masters in Secondary Education and a deep belief in the power of collaborative virtual learning.
Are you planning to use state funding, such as an Education Savings Account (ESA), Micro-grant or scholarship to help pay for your learnerās education?