CodeCombat is a platform for students to learn programming while playing through a real game. Each level in the game builds up on a previous concept, and the incremental difficulty makes it much easier to pick up programming. The game encourages discovery and trial-and-error. It challenges the player to master skills over time, which is the same critical process students go through as they learn. Games excel at rewarding “productive struggle” -the kind of struggle that results in learning that’s engaging and motivating, not tedious. It is likely the students will even forget that they are actually learning something.
With the right environment, learning the basics of formal syntax and typing code can be fun and intuitive for students. Instead of block-based visual programming languages that may hinder a student’s proper understanding of code, CodeCombat introduces real coding (through typing) from the very first level. By strengthening their typing, syntax and debugging skills, we empower students to feel capable of building real programs successfully.

What we’ll cover in the class:
– syntax of Python
– Loops
– Variables
– Master syntax and sequencing

Python is both beginner-friendly and currently used by major corporations (such as Google). The software development companies prefer Python language because of its versatile features and fewer programming codes. Nearly 14% of the programmers use it on the operating systems like UNIX, Linux, Windows and Mac OS.

The class will be conducted by Wallace, who has a degree in Computing from Imperial College London and has been an avid programmer (studyroom.sg website was entirely coded himself).

Please bring along a laptop (windows/ mac/ chromebook) and peripherals like mouse and charging cables. Laptop needs to be wifi enabled and have at least 4GB of RAM. Note that iPads and other tablets are not supported.

Pre-requisites: assumes adequate proficiency in using a mouse / touchpad and keyboard and an interest in playing computer games.

Three hour class. Capped at eight students.