STARFALL EDUCATION CODE

STARFALL EDUCATION CODE

Teacher resources, such as worksheets, can be printed, listing code for use by students. It's a bit like learning any language, only with a helpful dictionary to hand and translations easily accessible as you write. While this is 'proper' coding, it lays that out with sub-sections and guidance on code so you can build even without knowing anything before starting. Pencil Code is a perfectly placed balance of complexity and simplicity. The helpful References section at the bottom allows you to select an area, such as Colors, and a pop-up will give you all the color options to select in order to see the right coding letters and numbers for what you want to use. Usefully, the code blocks are arranged with sections too, so you can select what you need and then only have the code blocks for that action listed - helping aid learning without being too overwhelming. On the right is an output screen in which you can hit the play icon and see your coding selection results. You are then shown a selection of code blocks that can be lined up with simple drag-and-drops.

In each case you are taken to a screen that is split with helpful blocks along the left that allow you to work on specifics. Select from Draw, Jam, or Imagine to start coding images, music, and games right away. That said, it can be helpful to sign up with an account, providing your email address, as a way to save projects and return to at a later date by signing in. Pencil Code is open source and readily available without any need to sign up or register. Some teachers may want to use this as part of a coding class, while others may benefit from setting work on this platform as tasks to be carried out on student time at home.

But, of course, it depends on the individual. This isn't for younger students as it is quite complex. That makes this a very rich resource for learning multiple coding languages. Everything is open source and uses turtle graphics functions to create visuals that can help to make the otherwise complex world of code feel a bit more accessible and real for students.Īs mentioned, there is an option to switch between codes, allowing students to also work with HTML, Javascript, and CSS.

Since Pencil Code uses Coffeescript it is relatively easy to get started.

Starfall education