Video Game Design (Beginner Coding: Part 1)- Ages 7-10
Shawn D Walk (Create2Discover)
Popular
Rising Star
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(1,131)
Code and design your own video game for you and all your friends to play.
Class experience
US Grade 2 - 5
Beginner Level
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...
6 lessons//6 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Kodu BasicsStudents learn the basics of using the Kodu software to develop a foundation for the rest of the class. They learn how to start a new game and add terrain and characters to their game world.Week 2Lesson 2Intro To CodingStudents are introduce to Kodu coding language and learn how to use game logic (When/Do) to code characters to do things in their games. They then take what they learned from the lesson to complete a coding challenge.Week 3Lesson 3Landscaping/Map DesignThe focus of this lesson is to help students create richer game environments. Students learn how to create different types of terrain, various landforms, and water features. Finally, students learn how to use size perspective in their worlds and create paths (roads, walls, and bridges).Week 4Lesson 4Player/NPC CodingStudents focus in this lesson is on the differences between coding characters that they control in the game vs NPC (Non-Player Controlled) characters. Students also learn how to use character's senses in Kodu to code them to automatically react to their environment. At the end of the lesson, students work on digital presentation skills as they share their games with the class.Week 5Lesson 5Power UpsStudents learn how to use advanced logic in Kodu to code characters to gain new abilities after an event in the game. For example, they code a player character to gain an ability to shoot missiles after collecting a power-up item. At the end of class, students work on giving and receiving feedback on their games after sharing.Week 6Lesson 6Final GamesStudents follow a planning guide to develop an idea for a final game that will require them to take everything they learned to create. Students work on creating their games and then share them with the class. They again practice presentation skills and giving/receiving feedback as they share their final games.
Students learn to... --Program logic to code characters’ behaviors and reactions to events in their games. All programming in Kodu is WHEN/DO (similar to IF/THEN statements). --Use the tools available in Kodu to create land, water, mountains, buildings, and more. --Create 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. --Complete game design planning prior to starting their final projects to create the best video game possible. --Effectively present the games they make to the class. --Use storytelling to grab the attention of their audience during game presentations. --Give and receive feedback on the games made in the class allowing them to consider their audience as they create games.
I have been teaching technology, coding, and 21st century skills for nearly 15 years. I am a certified elementary teacher in PA and have a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I also have run my own educational technology business in the past. My goal is to help kids learn the skills they need in today's world, but also help them believe they can be the creators of new technology instead of simply consuming it.
Homework Offered
Assessments Offered
Informal Assessment: At least 2-3 times during the class, students get a chance to share the game they are creating with the class. During the share, the teacher highlights creative aspects of their game and makes suggestions when appropriate. The goal of this is really to highlight students' creativity and point out that everyone has the ability to produce unique and creative content.Grades Offered
Important: Kodu currently only runs on Windows. Please test running Kodu prior to signing up for the class. Kodu is a free download at https://www.kodugamelab.com/
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Popular
Rising Star
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(1,131)
Hello! My name is Shawn Walk from Create2Discover. I look forward to being your child's teacher as they discover the power of coding. I have been an educator for over 17 years. I was a 4th/5th grade teacher for 11 years at an elementary school...
Group Class
$102
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
60 min
Completed by 2287 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-10
3-10 learners per class
