Not knowing anything about coding, I was excited to try out the Hour of Code program! It was mentioned in our class that you could code for a game that was similar to the first cell phone game called Snake . Sign me up, I loved the challenge of playing the snake game! I searched through the numerous coding options to finally find what was called “Compute it Python”(Shown below). Thinking this must be the game, I decided to go for it!
The first 8 or 9 levels were pretty easy to follow the directions. It was either move right, left, up, or down. Then it began to get a little trickier where it asked you to do certain moves depending on what color dot you were on. This got a little more complicated as the instructions were pretty vague. The levels began introducing coding instructions that said, while, range, if, elif, and else. However, there was no explanation of what these words meant. Not knowing these terms, I had a hard time understanding what it was asking for. I had to do some trial and error to try and figure out what it wanted me to do. Some of the combinations of words like right, left, up, and down were either stacked on top of eachother or placed staggered which also indicated a different coding process. Shown below are screenshots of the first couple of levels.
Shown below I have taken a video of myself attempting one of the beginner complicated levels. As you can see in the video, the codes on the right hand side were a bit different from the easier directions shown above. At the end of this video I was a bit confused as I made the move of up, down, up, down, which does not appear to be a code. However, since the words up and down are written in the same column, maybe that is why it was programmed to do that?
By level 40, I realized I was just guessing and then memorizing the correct moves so I could repeat them and try to decipher the coding pattern. By this time, I wasnt really learning as I really didnt understand the lingo it was asking me to code for. Before I knew it, an hour had passed! Even though I didn’t complete the levels, I still managed to obtain a certificate (pictured below) for the hour I dedicated to the program.
After claiming the certificate, I was feeling a little discouraged from my lack of understanding with the later levels. However, when I re-read the decription for the game it says, “you will have to use your intuitive abilities” so maybe I wasnt too far off with my trial and error approach! Anyway, I decided I would turn to YouTube to see if there was a video explaining some of these code combinations. This way I could see if I was close to understanding or if it was something simple that I wasnt picking up on. Below is the YouTube video I had found that explains all of the moves in an easy to understand way.
I am determined to try and get through all of the levels and see this out to the end. Having watched the video above, I have a better understanding of the coding instructions, which may simplify the process for me. However, I do wonder if students using this coding program would feel the same way as me, discouraged, or if they would grasp it better. It could be that my limited experience with coding has presented a bit of a challenge for me. Overall, I’ve realized that I need additional practice with coding, and the Python game I encountered wasn’t quite the snake game I had anticipated. When I went back to the hour of code home page, I discovered a search bar. So, I typed, “snake” into the search bar and the snake game that I used to play popped up. Although the python game I explored wasn’t the nostalgic experience I expected, it still presented a challenging and engaging task.
The emphasis on coding has grown significantly, and in our increasingly digital world, it’s crucial for students to grasp these concepts. With the abundance of well-paying jobs in the coding field, educating students from an early age and establishing a strong foundation could pave the way for a prosperous future.
Hi Brittany,
Your experience with the Hour of Code program is both relatable and insightful. It’s great to see your enthusiasm and willingness to dive into something unfamiliar. Your reflection on the initial levels being straightforward and then gradually becoming more complex captures the essence of how coding introduces new concepts. The lack of explanations for terms like “while,” “range,” “if,” “elif,” and “else” can indeed be daunting. Your trial-and-error approach is a valid learning method, especially when starting with something as logical yet unfamiliar as coding. It’s a testament to your perseverance and problem-solving skills.
The realization that you were memorizing moves without fully understanding the underlying logic is so relatable. Turning to YouTube for additional explanations was a smart move, showing your resourcefulness in seeking out further learning aids.
Your determination to continue and master the levels is commendable. It’s a reminder that learning often involves revisiting and reinforcing concepts until they become clear. Your experience brings up an important point about the potential discouragement students might feel when they don’t grasp new information right away. This is where a supportive learning environment and access to explanatory resources can make a significant difference.
Great post!
Hi Brittany!
I can totally relate with you about knowing nothing about coding, haha! Tackling a new skill like coding can be a little difficult but it was also fun to try out. The way you described your experience – from the initial excitement, through the challenges, to finding resources to help you out – captures the journey many face when learning to code. Thanks for sharing your experience of trying out Hour of Code!