Programming 101
Time
5 hrs
Difficulty
Intermediate
Prerequisites
Intro to Web Design
Departments
Human Technologies
Authors
Ross Parker
Groupings
Individual
Pairs
Threes
Pairs
Threes
Minimum Year Group
None
Blurb
In this unit you will learn the fundamentals of computer programming, giving you the power to make computers do what you want. You will start off using a programming language called Scratch, but the concepts apply to most languages.
License
This work is shared under the following license: Creative Commons BY-SA-NC
Outline
| The Pitch Why should I bother learning this?
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| Resources What is needed to run this unit? |
Interdisciplinary Links Do not try and force this. What areas of other subjects might this reflect and/discuss language. For IB, links with ToK.
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| Teacher Reflection What was successful? What needs changing? Alternative Assessments and Lesson Ideas? What other Differentiation Ideas/Plans could be used?
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| Credits Any CC attribution, thanks, credit, etc.
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5 mins
Want To Change The World?
The Pitch
- Programming, known as the "new superpower", let's you control computers, create something from nothing and change the world. So, want to learn how to build awesome stuff?
5 mins
Introduction
Getting Started
- In this unit you will learn the fundamentals of programming. From this simple start, you can build your knowledge to develop more complex systems.
- At it's most basic, programming can be thought of as “the creation of computer software”.
- Programming can be very complex, but we will use Scratch to get started: this is a simple way to get going.
- In the future you might learning something like PHP, which is pretty complex
- As you learn, please try to remember that programming is an exercise in problem-solving, patience and intellectual curiosity.
5 mins
Where Is Scratch
Hands On
- The software you will be using is called Scratch.
- You can use Scratch online (recommended).
- Or, you can use the older desktop version (which is pre-installed on your ICHK laptop)
- Take a minute now to check that you can access Scratch in one of these ways.
- If you are signing into the Scratch website (which you need to do to save your work), please register using your @ichk.edu.hk email address.
20 mins
5 Key Concepts
Theory
- To get you started thinking about programming, we will work through a practical example together: come and find your teacher, and ask them to look at this section with you.
- Together, you will use natural language to create a programme for walking up stairs.
- After we have completed the practical, we will talk quickly about the 5 key concepts in programming:
- Instructions
- Sequential
- Processing
- Loop
- Conditional
35 mins
Scratch Playtime
Go Nuts!
- Take some time now to can play around with Scratch to see what you can make it do. Be imaginative, and try and make it do something fun.
- You can always check out Scratch programmes shared by others at the Scratch website. There are some fun games you can try and play.
- The video below might help you get started, as might this Scratch: Getting Started Guide.
5 mins
5 Key Concepts Recap
Remember?
- Quickly remind yourself of the 5 key concepts introduced last lesson:
- Instructions: tell the computer what to do.
- Process: the computer processes each instruction, doing what it says
- Sequential: instructions are processed from top to bottom, in order, one at a time.
- Loop – doing a set of instructions over and over again, without having to rewrite them.
- Conditional – making a decision, and taking action accordingly.
10 mins
Scratch Vocab/Ideas
Theory
- By now you have had a chance to play with Scratch. Hopefully the following concepts are becoming familiar to you. If not, look them up in the s Scratch: Getting Started Guide:
- Stage
- Sprites
- Instructions (these are grouped together in the Scripts area)
- Dragging and dropping instructions:
- Control: When ___ clicked
- Pen: Pen down
- Motion: Move ___ steps
- Ungrouping instructions
- Deleting instructions
55 mins
Challenge 1: Problem Solving
Hard Stuff
- You are now going to try something really hard, which will encourage you to actively solve a challenging problem.
- You are to work independently (no talking, no Internet) to create a programme to replicate the following two drawings, hopefully with the fewest possible instructions.
- REMEMBER, THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE HARD ; ) Start with the first one, which is much easier.
- Ask for clues from your teacher if you need it.
- Take some time to show your solution to these problems to your teacher at this point, before moving on.
10 mins
Mr. Parker's Theory of Problem Solving Stuckness
Theory
- One of the main points of this unit is for you to experience the difficulty and power of problem solving.
- Problem solving is one of the most creative tasks you can perform: it is also amongst the most difficult, and often involves self-doubt, frustration, anger and apathy.
- These traits are common to any really creative exercise, including painting, inventing, science, music, etc.
- Generally, rapid progress comes after a period of difficulty, and is experienced as a moment of "ah ha" revelation.
- You may find the following diagram useful in observing and understanding your own emotions during this unit.
- Come and discuss this with your teacher if you would like to hear some problem solving stories.
140 mins
Challenge 2: Build A Game
Fun & Games
- Spend this time to try and build some kind of game in Scratch.
- Use your time to investigate different instructions, and how you can use them to allow a user in interact with your game.
- You can always look for ideas by checking out programmes shared by others at the Scratch website
- Be creative. Take some risks.
10 mins
Finishing Up
Evidence
- As evidence of your learning, either:
- Export your Scratch game to the SB2 (or SB) format, and then submit it.
- or, if you have made your game public on the Scratch website, submit the link.
Links
- Scratch: Getting Started Guide
- Scratch
- Scratch website
- Scratch website
- Scratch online
- older desktop version
- pretty complex
Images
Embeds
Records
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Andrea & Beth Shared on 11/03/2021 |
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Sheza Shared on 04/05/2020 |
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Dominic Shared on 24/05/2019 |
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Gladys Shared on 25/01/2019 |
