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2-Introduction To Computer Science With Microsoft MakeCode Arcade1

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47 views

2-Introduction To Computer Science With Microsoft MakeCode Arcade1

1

Uploaded by

nacianceno.fababair
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to Computer Science

with Microsoft MakeCode Arcade


The Introduction to Computer Science with MakeCode Arcade curriculum is a
full academic year course designed to be taught for introductory programming
classes in High School. The curriculum is free and uses web-based technology
and tools that can be accessed across platforms and devices.

The Introduction to Computer Science with MakeCode Arcade curriculum was


adapted from the original TEALS Introduction to Computer Science curriculum
and built with Microsoft MakeCode Arcade (https://arcade.makecode.com) as its
core teaching platform using a game-based learning approach to engage a
diversity of students. The original TEALS course has been successfully
implemented in hundreds of high schools.

The course explores a variety of basic computational thinking and programming


concepts through a project-based learning framework. Every unit culminates in a
comprehensive project and roughly 75% of student time is spent building
projects and practicing the skills they are learning.

The Introduction to Computer Science with MakeCode Arcade curriculum is


designed as a course meeting daily for 55-minute periods. The curriculum
includes approximately 75 days of material for each semester. Each semester is
divided into a series of units which successively introduces new concepts and
reinforces those learned previously. The first semester teaches programming
using visual drag-and-drop Blocks and the second semester uses either
JavaScript or Python. It is possible to teach Semester 1 (#semester-1) and
Semester 2 (#semester-2) independently.
Course Outline

Semester 1

● Unit 0 Beginnings – Students learn about the course, the classroom


environment, algorithms, and the MakeCode Arcade environment.
● Unit 1 Sprites – Students learn the basics of the core entity in MakeCode
Arcade: the sprite.
● Unit 2 Event handlers and variables – Students learn about the event
handlers available in MakeCode Arcade. Students are also introduced to
variables, strings, and decision structures.
● Unit 3 Loops and arrays – Students learn about definite and indefinite loops
and their application to arrays. Students are introduced to searching within an
array as well as frame-based animation.
● Unit 4 Functions – Students learn to write functions as a problem-solving
technique and to encourage code reuse.
● Unit 5 Tile maps and platform games – In this optional unit, students learn
about tile maps and their myriad uses, including in platform games.
● Unit 6 Capstone project – Students work in teams to create complex
projects. Students also create marketing materials for their projects.

Semester 2
● Unit 0 A return to Blocks – In this optional unit, students revisit the core
concepts that they learned in the Blocks environment. This unit is intended for
sessions that do not immediately follow a Blocks session.
● Unit 1 Introducing JavaScript and Python – Students transition to a text
language, either Static Typescript (a.k.a. JavaScript) or Static Typed Python
(simply called Python in the course materials). Variables and event handlers are
revisited from the text language perspective.
● Unit 2 Core programming concepts – Students revisit core topics from
Units 2 and 3 in the Blocks course, extending their skills where appropriate.
Students work with variables, decision structures, loops, arrays, and animations.
● Unit 3 Functions – Students implement functions in their text language.
They will also learn how to play simple melodies in JavaScript and Python.
● Unit 4 Introduction to object-oriented programming – Students learn very
basic object-oriented programming and design techniques, focusing on
subclasses that inherit from the Sprite class.
● Unit 5 Tile maps and platformers – In this optional unit, students create
projects that leverage tile maps, including platform games.
● Unit 6 Advanced graphics – In this optional unit, students work with
advanced graphics techniques, including parallax and mini maps.
● Unit 7 Capstone project – Students work in teams to create complex
projects. Students also create marketing materials for their projects.
Course Materials
The course materials include:

● Daily Lesson plans in the form of:

● Instructor guide word document


● Student guide word document

● PowerPoint slide decks for classroom lectures with talking points in the
Notes section
● Student projects, labs and activities include Bell Ringers (with solutions
where appropriate)

 Access Course Materials

You must be a verified educator to download the course materials.


Please create a GitHub Educator account, see the instructions here
(https://makecode.com/github-teacher-verification
(https://makecode.com/github-teacher-verification) ).

Download the course materials: https://aka.ms/TEALSintroCS


(https://aka.ms/TEALSintroCS)

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