Code Program
Tutorials for beginners
Write Your First Code Program – Go = (http://code.org/api/hour/begin/codeorg)
Create a Holiday Card – Go = (http://code.org/api/hour/begin/scratch)
Build your own game – Go = (http://code.org/api/hour/begin/appinventor)
Lightbot – Go = (http://light-bot.com/hoc.html)
AppInventor Hour of Code – Go = http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/hour-of-code.html
Tutorials that teach JavaScript
An introduction to JavaScript – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/khan
Codecademy – Go = http ://code.org/api/hour/begin/codecademy
Learn to Code With Karel the Dog – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/codehs
Build a Game with JavaScript – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/codeavengers
CodeCombat – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/codecombat
No device or internet? Try ‘unplugged’ computer science
My Robotic Friends – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/thinkersmith
Blockly – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/blockly
Binary Baubles – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/thinkersmith2
fuzzFamily Frenzy – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/kodableunplugged
Tutorial apps for any device
Lightbot – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/lightbot
Kodable – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/kodable
Hopscotch: Code on your iPad – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/hopscotch
Other programming languages
A taste of Python programming – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/groklearning
Drawing with Code – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/processing
Program a virtual robot – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/robomind
Build an iPhone game in your browser! – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/makegameswithus
Make your own apps
Build an iPhone game in your browser! – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/makegameswithus
AppInventor Hour of Code – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/appinventor
TouchDevelop – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/touchdevelop
Other learning options
Build your own game – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/tynker
TouchDevelop – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/touchdevelop
Make a 3D Frogger game in an hour. – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/agentcubes
Intro to Programming with Alice 2 – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/alice
Everyone can Code with LiveCode – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/livecode
Looking Glass – Go = http://code.org/api/hour/begin/lookingglass
Quick Tips for Educators:
Prep for the Hour of Code:
Choose a tutorial for your students
- Check out the tutorials and pick one for your class. Note: more international/multilingual support is on its way.
- Go through the tutorial yourself so you can help students during the Hour of Code.
- Test tutorials on student computers or devices. Make sure they work properly (with sound and video).
- Preview the congrats page to see what students will see when they finish.
- If the tutorial you choose works best with sound, provide headphones for your class, or ask students to bring their own.
Plan ahead based on your technology available
- Don’t have enough devices? Use pair programming. When students partner up, they help each other and rely less on the teacher. They’ll also see that computer science is social and collaborative.
- Have low bandwidth? Plan to show videos at the front of the class, so each student isn’t downloading their own videos.
During your Hour of Code
Inspire your students – show them a video
We’ll have an Hour of Code video by CSEdWeek. For now, check out these videos, featuring Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Black Eyed Peas founder will.i.am and NBA star Chris Bosh talking about the importance of programming. (There are 1 minute, 5 minute, and 9 minute versions)
Get your students excited – give them a short intro
Most kids don’t know what computer science is. Here are some ideas:
- Explain it in a simple way that includes examples of applications that both boys and girls will care about (saving lives, helping people, connecting people, etc.).
- Try: “Think about things in your everyday life that use computer science: a cell phone, a microwave, a computer, a traffic light… all of these things needed a computer scientist to help build them.”
- Or: “Computer science is the art of blending human ideas and digital tools to increase our power. Computer scientists work in so many different areas: writing apps for phones, curing diseases, creating animated movies, working on social media, building robots that explore other planets and so much more.”
- See tips for getting girls interested in computer science here.
Start your Hour of Code
Direct students to the activity
- Write the tutorial link on a whiteboard. Find the link listed on the information for your selected tutorial under the number of participants. (Example: hourofcode.com/co)
- Tell students to visit the URL and start the tutorial.
When your students come across difficulties
- Tell students, “Ask 3 then me.” Ask 3 classmates, and if they don’t have the answer, then ask the teacher.
- Encourage students and offer positive reinforcement: “You’re doing great, so keep trying.”
- It’s okay to respond: “I don’t know. Let’s figure this out together.” If you can’t figure out a problem, use it as a good learning lesson for the class: “Technology doesn’t always work out the way we want. Together, we’re a community of learners.” And: “Learning to program is like learning a new language; you won’t be fluent right away.“
- Check the Hour of Code forum to ask questions and see FAQs.
What to do if a student finishes early?
- Students can see all tutorials and try another Hour of Code activity at code.org/learn.
- Or, ask students who finish early to help classmates who are having trouble with the activity.
The Hour of Code is just the first step on a journey to learn more about how technology works and how to create software applications. To continue this journey, find additional resources for educators here.