BEGINNER CODING CLASS-- This class introduces students to basic coding vocabulary and techniques.  Students don't need to have any previous coding experience.  This class is part of my Video Game Design coding path for students Ages 7-10.  There is a part 2 that students can take after they take this introductory class.

Future-Ready Skills-- Create2Discover classes integrate future-ready skills into the curriculum to help prepare students for a rapid-changing future.  This class includes exercises that help students improve their digital communication skills.  Students have the opportunity to present their work, receive/give feedback, and learn to use storytelling to grab the attention of their audience.
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Important:  A Windows based PC is required for this class.   The Kodu program will not work on a Mac, Chromebook, or other device.   Kodu is a free download at https://www.kodugamelab.com/.
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How would you like to create your own original video game for you and all your friends to play?  Kids will learn to make games via a simple visual programming language. This program is a great entry into design and programming skills. Students will follow a kid-friendly process similar to real video game designers who create the games they play at home!  Additionally, students work on their communication skills as they present their games to the class and give/receive feedback. 

--Students learn programming logic to code characters’ behaviors and reactions to events in their games.  All programming in Kodu is WHEN/DO (similar to IF/THEN statements).
--Students learn to use the tools available in Kodu to create land, water, mountains, buildings, and more.
--Students learn more advanced coding to give their characters power-ups.  This involves creating parallel programming that changes the behavior of their characters based on a specific event.
--Students complete game design planning prior to starting their final projects to create the best video game possible. 
--Students learn how to effectively present the games they make to the class.
--Students use storytelling to grab the attention of their audience during game presentations.
--Students give and receive feedback on the games made in the class allowing them to consider their audience as they create games.
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Instructional Technique

During this class, students watch short demonstrations on how to use Kodu followed by independent activities that allow them to practice what they learned in the demonstration.  During the demonstration, I ask questions to engage students with the code to help them understand how the code works and why we use certain coding techniques.  

Parents and students sometimes ask me why I don’t let students code/create with me why I do the demonstration.  Through my experience, I have found that when kids in this age group try to do the activities with me, they focus more on trying to keep up with me instead of understanding why we are choosing certain coding blocks.  I want to help kids to learn how to code; not just copy my actions.

While students work on the independent activity, they have the ability to ask me for individual help and have access to activity print-outs that remind them how to do the things they learned in the demonstration.