Sunset on an Era

Course Details

About This Course

Make games for the Xbox360®! At their own levels, students unleash their imaginations as Xbox 360® players become game creators! They learn easy-to-use game creation techniques and programming skills that make building personal playgrounds simple. Their game will really work on their Xbox consoles and computers!

Tools: Kodu software

Topics Covered

In this class, students:

Use algorithms to solve problems

Design and write some pretty cool programs

Use sequence, selection, and repetition

Use logical reasoning to explain, detect, and correct errors

Take home their own personally designed video game for the computer or Xbox console

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Sample Schedule

What To Expect

In this course, students will begin their journey into computer programming with the interactive drag-and-drop coding blocks of Kodu by Microsoft. Throughout the week, students will engage in instructor-led lessons, collaborative discussions, and independent project work. Here’s a sample of what a week in the course could look like! Please keep in mind that students will progress at varying paces; this is a general outline of the key material and student experience.

Monday

Students will explore Kodu Game Lab by playing and then examining the character and action sequences of two games. They will learn about the character menus in the Kodu environment and the When…Do… logic of Kodu programs. By the end of Session 1, students will be able to:  Load and play a Kodu game, navigate the menus associated with characters, describe the When…Do… game action, model the When…Do… in an unplugged activity, create When…Do… constructs, and communicate ideas for modifying game characters and actions.

Tuesday

Students will learn about the character menus and new things about the When…Do… form?  They will explore redesigning one of the games they've played and brainstorm more games plans. They will modify

Wednesday

Begin the creation of their games.

Thursday

Further their game development.

Friday

Students present their project to the class and engage in constructive feedback discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the online class experience like?

Virtual online classes feature structured small-group sessions led by expert instructors. Each week includes live teaching of our personalized, world-class curriculum, plus peer collaboration, social time, and independent project work. Sprinkled with games, challenges, and entertainment, there is always something to keep the group actively engaged.

What are the Technical Requirements?

To run this online course with The Learnatory, students will need a Mac, Windows, or Chromebook computer, a webcam, and a stable internet connection with access to Zoom video conferencing.

What are the Software Requirements?

Any course-specific installation requirements will be communicated after registration.

How many students are in each class?

Our classes maintain an 8:1 student to teacher ratio ensuring every student receives individualized attention. In most classes, there is also an assistant teacher or intern to assist.

Why should my students learn XBox Game Design?

Kodu is a simple visual programming environment that lets kids create games on the PC and Xbox. Young children can make their games without design and programming skills while getting a good introduction to block programming. Kodu teaches creativity, problem-solving, and storytelling, as well as programming.

What college and career opportunities can this lead to for my students?

Xbox may be designed for younger kids, but the programming fundamentals they will learn through Kudo will set them up for more sophisticated programming and computational skills down the road! With block coding basics under their belts, kids will have an easier time learning Java, Python, C++, and other sophisticated, yet beginner-friendly, languages that unlock a world of possibilities in STEM majors and careers!

Xbox Game Design

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