teaching kids game programming
DESCRIPTION
For quite a few summers, I've taught kids ages 11-14 an Introduction to Programming Course held at the Young Scholars Institute. The kids start not knowing anything and after 5 days they have written full games using Java and Processing.org. I will do an overview of how and what I teach them, their learning process and how to keep them interested, and what I've discovered through the years. There will also be a few demos of the games the kids have written, including Tron Light Cycle, a version of Guitar Hero, and others. (Demos not in the presentation) You can watched the talk at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2370164TRANSCRIPT
Teaching Kids Game Programming
Christopher CottonBarcamp Nashville 2009
Why?
why teach kids coding?why this talk?
Why teach kids?
• Wished I had this• Kids get so excited, a real challenge• Inspire them to learn more• The Future!
Why this talk?
• I love the teaching• Better than building widgets• Inspire you
But, really why?
demo: video
What?
Intro to Programming
What do I teach?
• Functions, Class• Graphics, Screen Layout• Math• Animation• Event driven• Game Logic
What?
but really what do I teach?
But, what really?
• Logical Thinking• Experimentation• How to Teach Yourself• Thoughts into Code
Where?
YSI
Where?
Young Scholars Institute (YSI)
• Part of Franklin Special School District• Around for 25+ years• 2 Weeks during the Summer• 1400 Kids, 120 Teachers
http://fssd.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=110&Itemid=207
What technology? Language?
processing.orgjava
Why Processing?
• Full running app in one line• FREE FREE FREE• Runs on Mac/Linux/Win• More complex event driven
What do I teach?
details details!
First day
most common question?
First Day
• When can we get on the computers?
• Car racing!• Functions• Drawing, colors• Overview of processing, reading docs• demo:
01 drawing
Content
Second Day
most common question?
Second Day
• Where do I put this code?
• Animation - movement• program structure• if• demo:
02 first playing with random03 animations
Content
Third Day
most common question?
Third Day
• Why is it doing this?!?!?!
• Game basics - health, score, collision• key moving, mouse control• Each kids on different path• demo:
04 block style games (not breakout!)
Content
Fourth Day
most common question?
Fourth Day
• How much time do we have left?
• Building their own game• demo:
05 almost art06 guitar hero
Content
Fifth Day and Beyond
most common question?
Fifth Day, Beyond
• How can I get this?
• Finishing Their Game, Demos! Demos! Demos!• demo:
07 tron light cycle08 written over the year
Content
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
• Challenge: not answers• Let them learn• They built a game!• Amazed at just one week• So Much Energy, Fun
Go teach your passion
Q&A
Contact me:
http://christophercotton.com/