I spent my first time coding today using the Hour of Code, learning to set up the game Space Invaders.
Through the step-by-step process, you will learn to code all the basic functionalities:
- how to move left to right
- how to fire lasers with space key
- make enemies throw fireballs at random
- make the spaceship lose life when hit by a fireball
- add background music
When I heard about all of the things required to accomplish to finally reach a finished product, I didn’t think my narrow scope of tech would be enough to even get past the first step. However, I was pleased to be introduced to the resource through its virtual tour of the process in step by step format. That alone made the experience very user-friendly, which helped to get the ball rolling. As the codes become more familiar, your confidence in the skill will grow as well. This is a great tool to use in the classroom, even as a free-time activity, as students will be learning a new skill and have endless options to choose from that will fit their interests. Such as the following:
The website has coding for grades ranging from grades 2-9. This is great as it can be a familiar site for students from a young age, building their progress up as they go. I do believe that it is important for students to learn how to code as it is something that is progressively becoming an important skill to have in a society whose advancement in technology is rapid. Coding can introduce students to a skill or talent they didn’t know they had and present them with opportunities further down the line.