What is a computer? You can start here, for something similar to what you are thinking… But perhaps there are some that do not even use electricity? Or perhaps may not even have moving parts? We define a computer as a device that accepts input and processes it in some way to produce an output… Continue reading What is a computer?
Category: Coding, Games & Robotics
History of Computing
What types of things do you compute every day? When you play video games or even board games, are you computing? What sorts of things are you computing? Think specifically about passive computing. What types of things might you do that don’t involve you actively using a computer, but still might be considered computing. Is… Continue reading History of Computing
Intro activities
Sometimes we don’t have access to a computer or to an internet connection, but there are still ways to learn Computer science. These are some activities we will do in class to introduce you to computer science. 1. These are some activities to introduce SEQUENCING (including programming and algorithms). 1a. Create simple algorithms (sets of instructions) to… Continue reading Intro activities
App Lab
App Lab is a programming environment where you can make simple apps. Design an app, code with blocks or JavaScript to make it work, then share your app in seconds. It uses block programming, like Scratch. Access it here. It looks like this: This is an introduction to the program:
Basic glossary
abstraction Pulling out specific differences to make one solution work for multiple problems. algorithm A list of steps to finish a task. A set of instructions that can be performed with or without a computer. For example, the collection of steps to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is an algorithm. binary A way… Continue reading Basic glossary
Most schools don’t teach
Are video games really that bad?
The video game industry is a global phenomenon. There are over 1.2 billion gamers across the planet, with sales projected soon to pass $100 billion per year. But their very popularity fuels the controversy that surrounds them. They frequently stand accused of corrupting the young – of causing violence and addiction. But is this true?… Continue reading Are video games really that bad?
Do video games make you smarter?
Do kids these days have short attention spans, or does the world just move too slow? Gabe Zichermann suggests that today’s video games are making children smarter — and we should all embrace gamification. Gabe Zichermann is an entrepreneur and author whose work centers on gamification–and the power of games to help engage people and… Continue reading Do video games make you smarter?
Video games and violence
In our continuing look at the gun debate for PBS’s weeklong special “After Newtown,” Jeffrey Brown explores whether there is any connection between violent video games and violent behavior. And also this article: Defeated Videogame-Violence Experts: Science Was on Our Side
Video games for girls
Laurel’s talk on addressing the wants of younger female gamers came at a time in which the entire industry was ignoring this entire demographic. And her discussion of the challenges therein make for fascinating viewing. One of the earliest TED talks on video gaming. Like Perry’s talk, this has only gained in relevance since it… Continue reading Video games for girls