Teaching Programming Concepts Through Play
Teaching Programming Concepts Through Play

Author: Christopher Harris

Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc

Published: 2015-01-15

Total Pages: 90

ISBN-13: 1499490178

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Understanding how computer programming works is a critical part of digital literacy for students today. Even students who aren't learning how to code can benefit greatly from knowing how programs work. This book uses highly engaging games to immerse students in the world of logical thinking and problem solving. From programming robots to writing stories that work as interactive fiction games, the lessons in this book provide ways to build digital literacy beyond the computer lab. Games: RoboRally. Richard Garfield. Avalon Hill, 2010. Old Town. Stephan Riedel. Clicker Spiele, 2012. Ricochet Robots. Alex Randolph. Z-Man Games, 2013. Parsley Game System. Memento Mori Theatricks.

The Programmer's Brain
The Programmer's Brain

Author: Felienne Hermans

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2021-10-05

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 163835605X

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"A great book with deep insights into the bridge between programming and the human mind." - Mike Taylor, CGI Your brain responds in a predictable way when it encounters new or difficult tasks. This unique book teaches you concrete techniques rooted in cognitive science that will improve the way you learn and think about code. In The Programmer’s Brain: What every programmer needs to know about cognition you will learn: Fast and effective ways to master new programming languages Speed reading skills to quickly comprehend new code Techniques to unravel the meaning of complex code Ways to learn new syntax and keep it memorized Writing code that is easy for others to read Picking the right names for your variables Making your codebase more understandable to newcomers Onboarding new developers to your team Learn how to optimize your brain’s natural cognitive processes to read code more easily, write code faster, and pick up new languages in much less time. This book will help you through the confusion you feel when faced with strange and complex code, and explain a codebase in ways that can make a new team member productive in days! Foreword by Jon Skeet. About the technology Take advantage of your brain’s natural processes to be a better programmer. Techniques based in cognitive science make it possible to learn new languages faster, improve productivity, reduce the need for code rewrites, and more. This unique book will help you achieve these gains. About the book The Programmer’s Brain unlocks the way we think about code. It offers scientifically sound techniques that can radically improve the way you master new technology, comprehend code, and memorize syntax. You’ll learn how to benefit from productive struggle and turn confusion into a learning tool. Along the way, you’ll discover how to create study resources as you become an expert at teaching yourself and bringing new colleagues up to speed. What's inside Understand how your brain sees code Speed reading skills to learn code quickly Techniques to unravel complex code Tips for making codebases understandable About the reader For programmers who have experience working in more than one language. About the author Dr. Felienne Hermans is an associate professor at Leiden University in the Netherlands. She has spent the last decade researching programming, how to learn and how to teach it. Table of Contents PART 1 ON READING CODE BETTER 1 Decoding your confusion while coding 2 Speed reading for code 3 How to learn programming syntax quickly 4 How to read complex code PART 2 ON THINKING ABOUT CODE 5 Reaching a deeper understanding of code 6 Getting better at solving programming problems 7 Misconceptions: Bugs in thinking PART 3 ON WRITING BETTER CODE 8 How to get better at naming things 9 Avoiding bad code and cognitive load: Two frameworks 10 Getting better at solving complex problems PART 4 ON COLLABORATING ON CODE 11 The act of writing code 12 Designing and improving larger systems 13 How to onboard new developers

Mindstorms
Mindstorms

Author: Seymour A Papert

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 2020-10-06

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 154167510X

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In this revolutionary book, a renowned computer scientist explains the importance of teaching children the basics of computing and how it can prepare them to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world. Computers have completely changed the way we teach children. We have Mindstorms to thank for that. In this book, pioneering computer scientist Seymour Papert uses the invention of LOGO, the first child-friendly programming language, to make the case for the value of teaching children with computers. Papert argues that children are more than capable of mastering computers, and that teaching computational processes like de-bugging in the classroom can change the way we learn everything else. He also shows that schools saturated with technology can actually improve socialization and interaction among students and between students and teachers. Technology changes every day, but the basic ways that computers can help us learn remain. For thousands of teachers and parents who have sought creative ways to help children learn with computers, Mindstorms is their bible.

Teach Your Kids to Code
Teach Your Kids to Code

Author: Bryson Payne

Publisher: No Starch Press

Published: 2015-04-01

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 1593276818

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Teach Your Kids to Code is a parent's and teacher's guide to teaching kids basic programming and problem solving using Python, the powerful language used in college courses and by tech companies like Google and IBM. Step-by-step explanations will have kids learning computational thinking right away, while visual and game-oriented examples hold their attention. Friendly introductions to fundamental programming concepts such as variables, loops, and functions will help even the youngest programmers build the skills they need to make their own cool games and applications. Whether you've been coding for years or have never programmed anything at all, Teach Your Kids to Code will help you show your young programmer how to: –Explore geometry by drawing colorful shapes with Turtle graphics –Write programs to encode and decode messages, play Rock-Paper-Scissors, and calculate how tall someone is in Ping-Pong balls –Create fun, playable games like War, Yahtzee, and Pong –Add interactivity, animation, and sound to their apps Teach Your Kids to Code is the perfect companion to any introductory programming class or after-school meet-up, or simply your educational efforts at home. Spend some fun, productive afternoons at the computer with your kids—you can all learn something!

Teaching in the Digital Age for Preschool and Kindergarten
Teaching in the Digital Age for Preschool and Kindergarten

Author: Brian Puerling

Publisher: Redleaf Press

Published: 2018-04-03

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 160554602X

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Across the curriculum, Teaching in the Digital Age for Preschool and Kindergarten will guide teachers toward integrating technology so it has an authentic, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate impact on children’s exploration and learning. By discipline---including science, math, literacy, art, social studies, health and safety, physical education, and music---it will motivate teachers to dig deeper into each content area to see the various ways technology and digital media can support and strengthen children's learning, as well as documentation and assessment.

Realm of Racket
Realm of Racket

Author: Matthias Felleisen

Publisher: No Starch Press

Published: 2013-06-13

Total Pages: 318

ISBN-13: 1593274920

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Racket is a descendant of Lisp, a programming language renowned for its elegance, power, and challenging learning curve. But while Racket retains the functional goodness of Lisp, it was designed with beginning programmers in mind. Realm of Racket is your introduction to the Racket language. In Realm of Racket, you'll learn to program by creating increasingly complex games. Your journey begins with the Guess My Number game and coverage of some basic Racket etiquette. Next you'll dig into syntax and semantics, lists, structures, and conditionals, and learn to work with recursion and the GUI as you build the Robot Snake game. After that it's on to lambda and mutant structs (and an Orc Battle), and fancy loops and the Dice of Doom. Finally, you'll explore laziness, AI, distributed games, and the Hungry Henry game. As you progress through the games, chapter checkpoints and challenges help reinforce what you've learned. Offbeat comics keep things fun along the way. As you travel through the Racket realm, you'll: –Master the quirks of Racket's syntax and semantics –Learn to write concise and elegant functional programs –Create a graphical user interface using the 2htdp/image library –Create a server to handle true multiplayer games Realm of Racket is a lighthearted guide to some serious programming. Read it to see why Racketeers have so much fun!

Teaching Secondary Science Through Play
Teaching Secondary Science Through Play

Author: Christopher Harris

Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc

Published: 2015-01-15

Total Pages: 90

ISBN-13: 1499490062

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This book provides broad support for using games in middle and high school science classes including Earth science/living environment, biology, chemistry, and physics. The lesson plans and resources support a play-based approach to evolution, ecosystems, cellular organisms, elements and compounds, and vector motion. Though easy to learn, the included games provide detailed scientific accuracy allowing complex simulations and immersive learning experiences. Games: Evolution. Dominic Crapuchettes, Dmitry Knorre, Sergey Machin. North Star Games, 2014. Strain. Avrom Tobias. HungryRobot, 2011. Compounded. Darell Louder. Dice Hate Me Games, 2013. Bolide. Alfredo Genovese. Rio Grande Games, 2005.

Teaching Financial Literacy Through Play
Teaching Financial Literacy Through Play

Author: Christopher Harris

Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc

Published: 2015-01-15

Total Pages: 90

ISBN-13: 1499490100

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It may only be play money, but the games in this book can help students better understand how important financial literacy is in their real lives. Play-based lesson plans in the book cover topics including spending and saving, risk assessment, and return on investment using fast-paced board and card games. A larger capstone game pulls together all of the concepts in a market-driven game that places students in the role of stockholders investing in and managing train companies. Who will use financial savvy to turn the biggest profit? Games: High Society. Reiner Knizia. Gryphon Games, 2008. Can't Stop. Sid Sackson. Gryphon Games, 2011. Panic on Wall Street. Britton Roney. Marabunta, 2011. Chicago Express. Harry Wu. Queen Games, 2007.

Teaching the Underground Railroad Through Play
Teaching the Underground Railroad Through Play

Author: Christopher Harris

Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc

Published: 2015-01-15

Total Pages: 90

ISBN-13: 1499490003

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Slavery is a sensitive topic in American history. This book provides resources and lesson plans for a week-long unit covering slavery, the Underground Railroad, and the abolition movement built around an award-winning board game. In Freedom: The Underground Railroad, students will take on the role of abolitionists helping slaves reach freedom in Canada. Background knowledge, primary source documents, and detailed lesson plans on teaching slavery and using the game provide full support for instruction. Customized Freedom mini-game scenarios designed by Brian Mayer and Christopher Harris. Game: Freedom: The Underground Railroad. Brian Mayer. Academy Games, 2013.

Teaching the American Revolution Through Play
Teaching the American Revolution Through Play

Author: Christopher Harris

Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc

Published: 2015-01-15

Total Pages: 90

ISBN-13: 1499490186

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We all know the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, but too often we forget that the colonies were almost a year into the Revolutionary War by the time of the signing. Can you replicate historical success? Or will your colonies fall back under British rule? Building upon 1775: Rebellion, an award winning board game, this book presents a week-long unit with detailed lesson plans, primary source documents, and additional instructional resources for teaching the American Revolution through play. Exclusive print-and-play game "Intolerable Acts" designed for classroom use by Brian Mayer and Christopher Harris. Game: 1775: Rebellion. Beau Beckett, Jeph Stahl. Academy Games, 2013.