COMPUTER PROGRAMMING OR CODING Microsoft MakeCode brings computer science to life for all students with fun projects, immediate results, and both block and text editors for learners at different levels (Fromhttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/makecode).
MakeCode is a blockly language which means it uses a Google developed method of creating a program. Code blocks can dragged and dropped to fit together (like a puzzle). This is easy for beginning programmers and there are fewer syntax errors.
TASK Click on this link to go to the MakeCode Arcade: Retro Gaming, Modern Programming This will take you to a MakeCode Arcade Blog that explains a lot about it. Go to coggle.it and create a mind map that summarises the content of this Blog page. Coggle is a great site for making mind maps. Its free and easy to join. Use your school Google login i.e. join with Google. What does an Arcade.MakeCode game look like? Try clicking the image above to play 'Chase the pizza'
GETTING ARCADE MAKECODE WORKING Arcade MakeCode is an online application but files can be downloaded and saved on your computer (network location).
TASK Click the link below and use your School Google login to signup. Online application: https://arcade.makecode.com/# You should see the buttons shown on the left.
ARCADE.MAKECODE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE OR EDITOR Each of the buttons on the left have a selection of commands associated with that button. Such as: Sprites, Controller, and Scene.
TASK Find and click all these buttons. Notice how each button is associated with a different group of commands. Also each button has it's own symbol and colour. Complete the Mind Map using coggle.it. CLICK ON the coggle image below and the template should open.
STARTING A CODE DIARY A code diary can be used to record each block of code you learn about. It will be useful later on when you need to remember blocks and use them in your program.
TASK Every code block (or command) can be right-clicked. You can then choose help to learn more about the code block. Use the snipping tool to add blocks to your diary. Here is a simple Google Doc with an example that you can use. Code Diary.
MAKECODE FOLDER STRUCTURE The files of your games for this assessment need to be kept on the school network (not Google). TASK Make a 11COD folder in your networked DOCUMENTS folder. Inside 11COD folder make two more folders: MAKECODE PRACTICE MAKECODE ASSESSMENT
SAVING AN ARCADE MAKECODE PROJECT Saving your code will be very important. In this assessment you will need to submit a working program. There is a floppy disk icon at the bottom of the MakeCode programming screen. Click this to save the project. A screen will open saying 'Project saved!' and the project is saved to your 'downloads' folder. Move it to the appropriate 11COD folder.
Saving a arcade.makecode project should have been done in the 'Orientation to Makecode' task done earlier. The save of the 'Hello world' project.