Create Apps - Coding With MIT App Inventor 1 - Beginners
In this 3 week beginner course, students will learn the basics of coding for games using MIT App Inventor. Students will create real apps that they can test and play through the MIT AI Companion App on any android or IOS device.
What's included
6 live meetings
4 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students will be encouraged to work on their coding projects outside of scheduled class time, if needed.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
This project-based learning course introduces computer science skills that students can apply cross-curricula. Problem solving, designing, and organizing are just a few of the many skills that will be reinforced throughout the three weeks. During each session students will be provided with an engaging, live mini-lesson that teaches and/or reviews concepts needed to complete the weekly coding project. The teacher will use google slides, along with other interactive platforms to increase student participation. Once the teacher is confident that the students have mastered the skills needed for the weekly project, students will be provided with time to work. Students will complete the coding assignment on MIT App Inventor, a block-based coding platform ideal for novice computer scientists. For best outcomes, students will use a second device to test their projects. Each project will be accompanied by a lab support sheet, and each session will wrap up with a discussion where students can ask questions about their projects and offer help to one another. Project extensions and other extension activities will be available for early finishers. This course offers a safe-space for students to learn fundamental computer science skills, interact with others who have similar interests, and have fun, all at the same time! Week 1 Objectives: 1. Log in and out, and create, save, and retrieve projects in the MIT App Inventor programming environment. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the Designer and what its different sections represent. 3. Code an app using the App Inventor Blocks Editor. 4. Test and debug using the MIT AI2 Companion app. 5. Identify and use the correct components and blocks for an audio and visual app. 6. Develop computational identity by creating a mobile app. Week 2 Objectives: 1. Code a piano app using the App Inventor Blocks Editor. 2. Apply the computational thinking practice of being incremental and iterative, developing and testing an app in stages. 3. Reuse code in an app. 4. Demonstrate abstraction by creating and implementing a procedure in App Inventor; 5. Test and debug an app using the MIT AI2 Companion. 6. Increase your positive perception of programming by creating a useful and fun app. Week 3 Objectives: 1. Utilize Layout components to organize the user interface of an app. 2. Use events, parallelism, and naming in their app. 3. Reuse and remix code. 4. Be iterative and incremental in developing their app. 5. Test and debug to make a working app. 6. Provide feedback and act on suggestions for improvement.
Learning Goals
Course Learning Goals - Students will:
1. Decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs.
2. Systematically test and refine programs using a range of test cases.
3. Design projects that combine hardware and software components to collect and exchange data.
4. Create procedures with parameters to organize code and make it easier to reuse.
5. Incorporate existing code, media, and libraries into original programs, and give attribution.
Syllabus
6 Lessons
over 3 WeeksLesson 1:
Two Button Game
In this lesson, students will become comfortable with App Inventor's programming environment. They will learn the main parts of the interface while coding and testing a simple application.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Hello It's Me
Students will plan, code, and test their first application. Students will choose an inspirational person, conduct research, and create a voice recording for this individualized project. Students are encouraged to be as creative as they'd like with this one!
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
My Piano - Part 1
In this lesson, students will create a basic piano application. This project involves importing starter files and using them to bring our application to life. We will learn about conditional statements, which are used throughout all coding languages. On App Inventor, students are introduced to this idea using the "when, do block".
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
My Piano - Part 2
Students will learn about a fundamental coding concept called procedures. Procedures are a key part of abstraction which these future computer scientists will use every time they code! Students will create a procedure to help with the repetitive code used for each key on their piano.
45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This course requires the use of MIT App Inventor. This third party tool will be the primary coding environment used for this course. Please review the Privacy Policy linked below.
https://community.appinventor.mit.edu/privacy
Pre-Requisites
This is a beginner course recommended for students who have an interest in coding, love for computers, and desire to problem solve!
Supply List
A secondary device (phone or tablet) is highly recommended. Click this link to view the system requirements for MIT App Inventor. https://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/content/system-requirements Digital and printable materials will be provided prior to each class session.
1 file available upon enrollment
Reviews
Live Group Course
$40
weekly or $120 for 6 classes2x per week, 3 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
3-6 learners per class
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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