Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming

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Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming

Instructors: Dr Areti Manataki

469,959 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3,802 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3,802 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

5 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

Have you ever wished you knew how to program, but had no idea where to start from? This course will teach you how to program in Scratch, an easy to use visual programming language. More importantly, it will introduce you to the fundamental principles of computing and it will help you think like a software engineer.

In this unit you’ll create your very first computer program! You’ll be introduced to basic programming concepts and you’ll familiarise yourself with Scratch.

What's included

19 videos6 readings1 assignment

19 videosTotal 65 minutes

Welcome to Code Yourself!2 minutes
About the Course2 minutes
Algorithms and Sequence3 minutes
Representation of Algorithms2 minutes
Precision and Assumptions4 minutes
Introduction to Scratch2 minutes
Options for Using Scratch1 minute
Programming in Scratch5 minutes
Selection 2 minutes
Selection in Scratch3 minutes
Conditions within Selection2 minutes
Iteration: Infinite Loops3 minutes
Balloon Party! Changing the Looks of our Sprites5 minutes
Modifying Programs in Scratch 3 minutes
Blow the Clouds Away! 5 minutes
A Movie with Two Characters3 minutes
Summary1 minute
Interview with an Informatics Researcher9 minutes
Interview with an Audiovisual Producer (Spanish with English subtitles)8 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
Course Logistics10 minutes
How to use the Discussion Forums10 minutes
Course Team10 minutes
Copyright10 minutes
Resources for Unit 110 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 130 minutes

In this unit you’ll keep working with control structures, you’ll find out how to use events in your programs and how to incorporate visual and sound effects in Scratch. You’ll also start thinking about the requirements and the design of your program.

What's included

19 videos1 reading1 assignment

19 videosTotal 79 minutes

Introduction1 minute
Count-controlled Loops2 minutes
Condition-controlled Loops2 minutes
Recreating a Tune 3 minutes
Music Video4 minutes
Drawing Squares 5 minutes
Birthday Card - Butterfly Behaviour5 minutes
Birthday Card - Cake Behaviour 3 minutes
Birthday Card - Extend with If-then-else 4 minutes
Birthday Card - Extend with Sounds2 minutes
Face Effects with Event-driven Programming 6 minutes
Software Design 4 minutes
Cut the Fruit! 6 minutes
Software Requirements3 minutes
Helicopter Game Design3 minutes
Helicopter Game Implementation7 minutes
Summary1 minute
Interview with a Software Engineer (Spanish with English subtitles)8 minutes
Interview with an Architect9 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Resources for Unit 210 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 230 minutes

In this unit you’ll have a go at modifying and extending existing games to create new versions. You’ll also learn about software engineering practices for testing and documenting your programs.

What's included

11 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review

11 videosTotal 63 minutes

Introduction1 minute
Helicopter Game Extension with Variables7 minutes
Analysing the Pong Game4 minutes
Modifying Pong with Complex Conditions7 minutes
Modifying Pong into Pizza Pong 9 minutes
Modifying Pong into a Penalty Shootout Game7 minutes
Guess the Number! 8 minutes
A Flower Garden with Nested Loops5 minutes
Summary 1 minute
Interview on Football-playing Robots9 minutes
Interview with a Biotechnologist (Spanish with English subtitles)6 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Resources for Unit 310 minutes
How-to guide for peer-reviewed projects10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 330 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Project 160 minutes

In this unit you’ll be introduced to procedures and cloning in Scratch, and you’ll apply these ideas to reuse your code.

What's included

11 videos1 reading1 assignment

11 videosTotal 61 minutes

Introduction1 minute
Catch the Mouse with Procedures10 minutes
Generalising a Program for Drawing Squares7 minutes
Staircase4 minutes
Hunting Ghosts with Cloning7 minutes
Fireworks7 minutes
A Modular Program for Bursting Bubbles5 minutes
Wave5 minutes
Summary1 minute
Interview on Entrepreneurship and Programming (Spanish with English subtitles)9 minutes
Interview with a Jewelry Designer5 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Resources for Unit 410 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 430 minutes

In this unit you’ll follow all the steps of software development to create a fun computer game. You’ll also learn about message broadcasting and concurrency.

What's included

11 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review

11 videosTotal 61 minutes

Introduction1 minute
Zombie Game: Requirements and Interface Design5 minutes
Zombie Game: Code Design7 minutes
Zombie Game: Implementation of the Interface, Broom and Zombie6 minutes
Zombie Game: Implementation of the Zombie Clones & Message Broadcasting4 minutes
Zombie Game: Implementation of the Backdrop and Flower7 minutes
Zombie Game: Implementation of Invasion and Extensions7 minutes
Sharing your Projects in Scratch & Links with Python4 minutes
Summary2 minutes
Interview with a Computer Science Student6 minutes
Interview with a Game Developer (Spanish with English subtitles)13 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Resources for Unit 510 minutes
Post-Course Survey10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 530 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Project 260 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(1,104 ratings)

Dr Areti Manataki

The University of Edinburgh

4 Courses681,391 learners

Inés Friss de Kereki

Universidad ORT Uruguay

3 Courses652,064 learners

Offered by

The University of Edinburgh

Universidad ORT Uruguay

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Reviewed on Mar 18, 2021

Well explained, course made in a form of entertainment, liked that there were tasks to do the practical work- to program different games. There were theory tests as well! Very good for beginners!

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2015

I love the way this course is designed! It's a really wonderful breath of fresh air.Scratch is a wonderful tool for understanding programming before jumping into courses in programming languages.

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2021

Very fun and engaging course. Allows you to interact with your peers and gain valuable feedback. The interviews were also very useful as they showed how concepts could be utilized in other fields.

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