per session

Introduction to Programming With Minecraft (One-On-One)

Completed by 29 learners

Ages 9-12

Live 1-on-1 Lessons

In this ongoing course, I will teach how to write code for the Minecraft Agent to accomplish basic tasks, programming vocabulary, and how to use basic programming tools like loops and conditionals.

Josiah Blaisdell M.Sc.

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(30 reviews)

Live video meetings

Meets on demand

75 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

Meets on Demand

schedule meetings as needed

75 mins

per session

Teacher support

Homework

1 hour per week. Homework will be assigned, they will finish programming tasks at home individually that are assigned in the course page. Homework will take about 60 minutes a week. If it takes longer I will be available for office hours outside of class on the course page.

Assessment

I will assess the student's performance using a final exam at the end of the class. The exam will be low pressure, every problem has multiple solutions, but it will help me to understand how your child is progressing and where I need to improve with my teaching.

Class Experience

In this recurring one-on-one course we will cover:
-Decomposing (breaking down) the steps needed to solve problems into a precise sequence of instructions.
-Pattern recognition, algorithms, sequencing and loops.
-Simple loops and code to express ideas or address a problem.
-Modeling daily processes by creating and following algorithms (sets of step-by-step instructions) to complete tasks.
-Extracting key information and developing models to understand complex systems and facilitate problem solving
-Automation: using algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions
-Develop plans that describe a sequence of events goals and expected outcomes
-Create programs that include sequences, events, loops and conditionals.

This class will teach students the basics of computer science in several packaged lessons. This will require some effort and thought, like a math class. You will need arrive with the tech working as I cannot troubleshoot tech and teach at the same time. I recommend using a computer, mouse and keyboard but have had students that use an iPad. The Chromebook can work, but make sure to check the minimum requirements for minecraft here: https://educommunity.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/360047556591-System-Requirements

Learning Goals

Goal: Develop Algorithmic Thinking
Students will learn to break down problems into precise sequences of instructions (decomposition) and use algorithmic thinking to create step-by-step solutions to problems.

Goal: Master Loops and Conditionals
Students will gain proficiency in using loops and conditionals to express ideas and address problems in their programs, enhancing their ability to control program flow.

Goal: Enhance Problem-Solving Skills
Students will use pattern recognition and modeling to understand complex systems, facilitating problem-solving in various real-world scenarios.

Goal: Learn Automation Techniques
Students will develop automation skills by creating and testing sequences of steps to automate tasks, enabling them to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Goal: Develop Effective Planning
Students will learn to create detailed plans that describe sequences of events, goals, and expected outcomes, fostering the ability to approach challenges with structured problem-solving strategies.

By the end of this course, students will have a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as algorithms, loops, conditionals, and automation. They will be able to apply these skills to model daily processes, solve problems, and create programs with sequences, events, loops, and conditionals. Additionally, they will develop the ability to plan and implement efficient solutions to various challenges.

Other Details

Parental Guidance

After this class the students will probably need a break, because it does take a lot of mental energy to write code (as opposed to playing a video game). This would be the equivalent of sitting down and practicing math for two hours in terms of the amount of mental energy. However, it will be MUCH more fun than that :)

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Sources

https://csteachers.org/page/about-csta-s-k-12-nbsp-standards https://www.iste.org/iste-standards https://educommunity.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/360047555411-Minecraft-Education-Edition-Lesson-Plans-

Meet the teacher

Josiah Blaisdell M.Sc.

Joined October, 2021

5.0

30reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

I have a masters degree in computer science and a bachelors degree in applied mathematics and computational science. I also have been taught Minecraft at my local Boys and Girls club for about a year for grades 1st - 6th. I am named in two patents related to digital signage technology, I have published a couple of papers using computer science and machine learning to solve challenges in environmental science and medicine. I have also had some experience in the video game industry as a developer and tester. I also volunteer with local non-profits to help kids that come from difficult circumstances. I am also the president and co-founder of Epsilon Learners Foundation, a non-profit that develops digital literacy content for schools and has an individual subscription service for families.