code.org Course:  CS 1150 (PEEE)

Overview

code.org is an organization working to provide all school children a reasonable experience with computer science. Programming/coding is a key aspect of computer science. Part of code.org's effort has been to create courses for elementary students. This assignment asks that you complete one of those courses—the 20-hour accelerated course.

The Course

The course should not actually take 20 hours. I expect it might take 4-8 hours. To access it you will need to:

• Go to the code.org site (https://code.org/)
• Click on the Create an account link (you will be directed to the Sign up for Code.org page)

  In the page that comes up you will be asked to supply the set up an account. The first choice you will need to make is the Account type (student or teacher). You may choose either. Choosing teacher will allow you to view lesson plans, otherwise I think they will be the same.

• If you choose student you will then need to supply:
  • email (a valid address is required)
  • Password (twice)
  • Display Name

    I suggest you use your initials. It is helpful if I can recognize who you are.

  • Age
  • Gender (which you can supply or not—I always suggest sharing the least amount of information possible)

  Then click the Sign up button (you will be directed to the My Dashboard page) an you will want to join my class section.

  • Scroll to the bottom of the page, find "Join a section" information in a dashed-line box
  • Enter KPMHCV in the box containing "Section Code (ABCDEF)"
  • Click on the Join section button

  You should see a "Success!" notification and a green box with a checkmark in it.

• If you choose teacher you will then need to supply:
  • email (a valid address is required)
  • Password (twice)
  • Display Name

    I suggest you use your initials. It is helpful if I can recognize who you are.

  • (optional) School / Organization information—I suggest you not supply it
  • And you have to agree to the Terms of Service—click the checkbox

  Then click the Sign up button (you will be directed to the My Dashboard page) an you will want to join my class section.

  • Scroll to the bottom of the page, find "Join a section" information in a dashed-line box
  • Enter KPMHCV in the box containing "Section Code (ABCDEF)"
  • Click on the Join section button

  You should see a "Success!" notification and a green box with a checkmark in it.

• Start the course

  Below the box with the checkmark you should see information about the section. Under the heading "Course" is a link to the Accelerated Intro to CS Course, click it.

  In the course you can view it as either teacher or student. I suggest teacher so you can view the lesson plans if you wish.

  Note: While doing the course you will have access to videos that provide directions or insights into completing the lessons. Some will pop up automatically and some will just appear in the "Need help?" area below the run button.

Do the course. Complete all the lessons, examine all of the "unplugged" activities. Keep what notes/journalling you wish to assist in completing your PAC-1 (programming activity commenting) assignment As you work on the course, keep track of the time spent on it.

You will occasionally want to check your progress to make sure you haven't inadvertently skipped something—the unplugged activities seem not be to in the sequence of puzzles. Also, you will need to click on the "Finished: Continue to next stage" button to get credit for having examined the unplugged activities.

Keep in mind that this course is meant (I believe) merely to expose folks to programming, not to "teach" or develop skill at programming or even to accurately show what is involved. As you work through the course (and explore other material on the site), be thinking about what programming is and whether it is useful to include in our schools. Keep in mind that you are to comment on this activity and your comments need to address the basics of programming—actions & data, sequence, selection, repetition, and modularization. Keep you eyes and mind open to finding examples of these basics and how they are used to produce programs.

Note that the course offers quite a bit of help through the unplugged activities, videos, etc. But, if you have questions or encounter difficulty, please let me know.

As you do the course, keep track of any ideas you might use in your PAC commenting.

Most assignments may be done in partnership, but this one should be done individually. You may, however, work side-by-side with a friend.

Grading

After the due date for the assignment I will check the progress chart for each person. All levels and unplugged activities completed with "perfect" results will get maximum credit. All levels completed but a (few) with less than perfect results will merit a different A grade. More less-than-perfect completions will merit some sort of B grade. Some levels or unplugged activities not completed will merit some sort of C grade. A D or F will result if much of the course is not completed. If the course is not done when due and you wish to complete it, please notify me and I will postpone checking it for a bit. A late penalty will apply (about 1 letter grade per day).