So, for this post, I decided to try my hand at coding at Code.org and spent about two hours trying to wrap my brain around what I was supposed to be doing. I decided to make my own Google ‘Doodle”, and luckily I was given relatively easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.
I was able to choose characters for each letter of google and play with various animations, movements and backgrounds. It did feel a little over my head at times, and at one point had to walk away from my computer because of how frustrating it got at times.
I was able to make animations triggered by specific actions, such as clicking on the letter, making the letter bounce or turn, one made the color of the letter character change, and another made the background change. I tried to play with as many functions as possible, and after some time I felt I got my sea legs.
At the end of creating my doodle, I was able to add more complex multi-step animations to the letters. I was able to add an animation to each letter. After about two and a half hours I was done. Then I deleted the whole thing. I tried to log in and it closed the window and my masterpiece was deleted. So, in the end I somewhat got the hang of it, but I also still don’t have much to show for it because apparently, I am not technologically advanced enough to save as I go. Overall it was a net win for me and my coding journey but I sincerely hope I don’t have to do it much in the future.
Cheyenne,
I’m sorry to read that your first dip into the sea of coding was a frustrating one! Your Google doodle is cute, but that’s really too bad that after all of your work it disappeared into cyberspace.
I feel like my brain is not coded for coding. If I have a specific I set of steps that are laid out in front of me, I’m really good at following those directions, but adding in extras like looping actions and the complexities of some of the “simple” coding projects just hurts my brain.
I can see where coding would be a great addition to the classroom, but I really hope I’m not the one that has to teach it! 😉
Hi Chantelle!
Glad to know I am not the only person with an anti-coding brain! Although it was difficult I think I was maybe a little harsh saying id never do it again, because that whole there is no learning without struggle, and like self growth reasons. Those annoying things I always forget about in the moment.
Best of luck!
Cheyenne