Explorer: Coding and Your First Interactive Program
Learn algorithms, events, loops, decisions and debugging, then build, test and explain your own interactive story, game or quiz.
Instructor
Mindlect Academy
Course details
Duration
:
6-7 hours
Lectures
:
9
Video
:
Interactive project
Assignments
:
1
Quizzes
:
1
Level
:
Level 1 · Explorer
- Description
- FAQ
- Notice
Level 1 · Explorer
Create your first interactive program
Learn the five big ideas of coding: algorithms, events, loops, decisions and debugging. Then plan, build, test and explain your own interactive story, game, quiz or simulation.
1LearnAlgorithms, events, loops and decisions
2BuildCreate an interactive project in small parts
3ProveTest, improve and explain your code
Designed for beginners: no coding experience is required. Younger learners work with pictures, movement and close adult guidance. Older beginners use the same ideas with flowcharts, pseudocode and more independence.
You will learn to
- Write clear algorithms and sequences.
- Make programs respond to events.
- Use loops to repeat instructions and make patterns.
- Use conditions so a program can make decisions.
- Test, find and fix bugs using evidence.
- Plan, build and explain your own interactive project.
What you need
A computer or tablet with a block-coding tool approved by your facilitator, paper for planning, and a partner for testing when possible. Unplugged activities need only paper and instruction cards.
Do I need coding experience?
No. This is a Level 1 Explorer course designed for beginners.
Which coding tool should I use?
Any block-coding tool your facilitator approves. Many activities can also be done unplugged with paper and instruction cards.
How is the course completed?
Complete the lessons, submit your project evidence and achieve 80% or more in the final assessment.
Complete every lesson, achieve at least 80% in the final assessment and earn at least 70% on approved project evidence. Your verified certificate will then appear in My Mindlect.
Think like a coder
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1
1. Welcome: How Code Tells Computers What to DoStart here Your challenge By the end of this course you will plan, build, test and explain your own interactive program. It could be… -
2
2. Algorithms and SequencesAlgorithms Precise steps in the right order An algorithm is an ordered set of clear steps that solves a problem or completes a task.…
Make programs respond
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3
3. Events, Inputs and OutputsEvents Make a program respond An event is something that happens and starts or changes part of a program, such as a click, a…
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4
4. Loops and PatternsLoops Repeat without rewriting A loop repeats a set of instructions. Instead of writing “move, turn” four times to draw a square, you can…
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5
5. Decisions and ConditionsDecisions Let the program choose A condition is a statement that is either true or false. An if-then rule runs some code only when…
Test and build
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6
6. Testing and DebuggingTest and improve Find bugs with evidence A bug is a difference between what you wanted the program to do and what it actually…
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7
7. Plan Your Interactive ProjectProject plan Plan before you build Choose one interactive project: a short story, a maze game, a quiz or a simple simulation. Keep it…
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8
8. Build, Test and Share Your ProjectCapstone build Build in small parts Build one feature at a time. Test each feature before adding the next one. This makes bugs much…
Show what you know
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9
Project Submission: Your Interactive Program -
10
Final Assessment: Explorer Coding -
11
Results, Progress and Your Mindlect ReportYour progress See what you have completed Your report combines course progress, the 20-question assessment and facilitator-reviewed project evidence. It updates as each part…