Hey all! It’s time for a catch up post!
During week 9, we discussed code and the different ways to introduce it in a fun classroom manner. Using the Hour of Code resource we discussed, I learned that it is a fun activity to do, and it definitely makes a person use their problem solving skills.
I chose to do the Minecraft version since I have used Minecraft for a few projects in the past, and since I have no experience coding I felt like using a style I am visually used to would make the learning experience more comfortable. It worked!!
The program starts off pretty easy, with the user only doing one basic movement.
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/dallasthody/wp-content/uploads/sites/1206/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-24-1.41.44-PM-300x169.png)
The First Level!
After the second level, it got a bit more intricate with the amount of code it requires. On the 4th level, it actually starts you out with the first movements to help you out!!
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/dallasthody/wp-content/uploads/sites/1206/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-24-1.46.13-PM-300x169.png)
The code was preset in for this one!
This actually helped quite a bit with how long the level took, as it set the groundwork to finish the level faster. This is a good inclusion since this website is made for educating, and by helping from the start it gives the student using it the push to keep it going.
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/dallasthody/wp-content/uploads/sites/1206/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-24-1.52.38-PM-300x169.png)
Level 4 completed code
By the end of level 4, this is how long the code was. If there was the option to just “Repeat 3 Times” It could have taken 1/3 as much time to set it up. This is a good way to show students the long way to do something before introducing a shortcut, much like in math where we would show a larger equation before simplifying. It shows students the steps behind the shortcut in a way!
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/dallasthody/wp-content/uploads/sites/1206/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-24-1.56.04-PM-300x169.png)
Like this!!
The start of level 5 introduces exactly what I was talking about. It gives the option for a repeat!! This coding game is actually implementing teaching by scaffolding! It’s really cool!!
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/dallasthody/wp-content/uploads/sites/1206/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-24-1.59.01-PM-300x169.png)
oops
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/dallasthody/wp-content/uploads/sites/1206/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-24-2.01.29-PM-300x169.png)
Accidental win!
Just like learning anything, mistakes are bound to happen. I went too fast and didn’t properly read the instructions. Can you see what went wrong here? When I clicked run, the character build walls until they ran into the wall and couldn’t build anymore! However, since I technically completed what was asked, it passed me anyways!
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/dallasthody/wp-content/uploads/sites/1206/2024/03/hour-of-code-completion-300x211.jpg)
I did it!
The last 3 levels of this were pretty cool, and it definitely made me think!!! It felt like a chess match, where I could try it step by step by step, or try to solve it all in one go before pressing run. Overall it is definitely a resource I would use in the future!!
– Dallas Thody