What is codeCOmbat?
CodeCombat is a coding game that uses real typed code and personalized learning to teach computer science with no teacher training needed. The CodeCombat game is a browser-based role-playing game that teaches programming in Python, as the fundamentals of computer science. In order to advance through the game's levels, players must prove their knowledge by writing code. It includes both single-player and multi-player components. We all learn at different paces, and sometimes they may need extra assistance with new concepts. The program has built two new features to help smooth out the learning curve for all who find themselves stuck: Hints, and Practice Levels.
Hints Hints come in handy when students are struggling with a specific level. Every level has a blue “Hints” button at the top right corner, which gives a more in-depth explanation of the level’s specific concepts and provides additional step by step examples of how to complete it.
Practice Levels The second feature is Practice Levels, which helps students get more experience with a particular concept if they are struggling. When the game detects that a student has struggled with a level, the game adapts so the student has more opportunity to practice the same skill until they improve. This provides a personalized learning experience for each student, so they can move past concepts they understand quickly, and get more practice for concepts that are challenging.
Hints Hints come in handy when students are struggling with a specific level. Every level has a blue “Hints” button at the top right corner, which gives a more in-depth explanation of the level’s specific concepts and provides additional step by step examples of how to complete it.
Practice Levels The second feature is Practice Levels, which helps students get more experience with a particular concept if they are struggling. When the game detects that a student has struggled with a level, the game adapts so the student has more opportunity to practice the same skill until they improve. This provides a personalized learning experience for each student, so they can move past concepts they understand quickly, and get more practice for concepts that are challenging.
The program units are listed below
Introduction to Computer Science
This course is designed to be a gentle introduction to basic programming concepts, such as algorithms, syntax, loops, and variables, through the engaging and familiar experience of a video game. In each level, players use computational thinking and computer programming to navigate the hero to the goal without running into spikes or being spotted by ogres.
This course is designed to be a gentle introduction to basic programming concepts, such as algorithms, syntax, loops, and variables, through the engaging and familiar experience of a video game. In each level, players use computational thinking and computer programming to navigate the hero to the goal without running into spikes or being spotted by ogres.
examples
Game Development 1
Game Development What’s even more fun than playing a game? Making your own! In our Game Development courses, students learn how to build their own CodeCombat-style game levels and unleash them on friends and family to play with a mouse and keyboard. Over time, they’ll unlock the tools needed to create challenging puzzles and practice their game design skills to become the next star game designer. Final projects for each course can be shared are published to a custom URL so that students can easily share their games with friends and family.
Computer Science 2
Armed with basic knowledge of the structure and syntax of simple programs, students are ready to tackle more advanced topics. Conditionals, functions, and events, oh my! Computer Science 2 is where students move past the programming-toy stage into writing code similar to that they would use in the next major software or killer app!
In Computer Science 2, students will continue to learn the fundamentals, (basic syntax, arguments, strings, variables, and loops) as well as being introduced to a second level of concepts for them to master. If statements allow the student to perform different actions depending on the state of the battlefield. Functions let students organize their code into reusable pieces of logic, and once students can write basic functions, they can start writing code to handle events--which is the basis for lots of coding patterns in game development, web development, and app development.
Armed with basic knowledge of the structure and syntax of simple programs, students are ready to tackle more advanced topics. Conditionals, functions, and events, oh my! Computer Science 2 is where students move past the programming-toy stage into writing code similar to that they would use in the next major software or killer app!
In Computer Science 2, students will continue to learn the fundamentals, (basic syntax, arguments, strings, variables, and loops) as well as being introduced to a second level of concepts for them to master. If statements allow the student to perform different actions depending on the state of the battlefield. Functions let students organize their code into reusable pieces of logic, and once students can write basic functions, they can start writing code to handle events--which is the basis for lots of coding patterns in game development, web development, and app development.
Game Development 2
The Game Development 2 course applies skills students have learned from Computer Science 2 so they can build a full-fledged arcade-style game they’ll be excited to share with their friends and family. This is where the abstract concepts such as conditionals and functions show their purpose in a hands-on way, and enable students to create something their own.
The course begins by demonstrating some new game mechanics and techniques, which use basic syntax and logic structuring the students are familiar with from previous courses. Once they are comfortable with the new mechanics, students will go through a variety of exercises combining them into unique forms of gameplay, including a series of levels which iteratively build a Pac-Man-style arcade game. Finally, students are given an opportunity to create their own arcade game.
Game Development 2
The Game Development 2 course applies skills students have learned from Computer Science 2 so they can build a full-fledged arcade-style game they’ll be excited to share with their friends and family. This is where the abstract concepts such as conditionals and functions show their purpose in a hands-on way, and enable students to create something their own.
The course begins by demonstrating some new game mechanics and techniques, which use basic syntax and logic structuring the students are familiar with from previous courses. Once they are comfortable with the new mechanics, students will go through a variety of exercises combining them into unique forms of gameplay, including a series of levels which iteratively build a Pac-Man-style arcade game. Finally, students are given an opportunity to create their own arcade game.