About this course: This MOOC provides you with the foundational skill set required to write computer programs. If you are interested in learning how to write interactive, graphical programs from an introductory level in a real programming language, this is the course for you. You will begin by learning the basics of editing and running programs. Then you will learn how to create 2D graphics using shapes and coordinates. Finally, you will learn how to create interactive graphics that you can control with the mouse. You will even solve a set of interactive puzzles using your coding skills in the Sleuth game which has been created especially for this course. The course uses the Javascript language and the p5.js library.
Created by: University of London, Goldsmiths, University of London
Taught by: Dr Edward Anstead, Associate Lecturer
Computing, GoldsmithsTaught by: Dr Simon Katan, Lecturer
Computing, Goldsmiths
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| Hardware Req | For learners to get the most from their studies, their computers should have the following minimum specification: • a web browser (the latest version of Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer are recommended). This must accept cookies and have JavaScript enabled. The additional requirement is an installation of a programmer’s text editor such as Atom and integrated development environment software (IDE) where necessary. This software is free to use and install. |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Your development environment
In this topic you will learn about three key concepts:
• The toolkit we will use to develop programs.• Drawing using simple shapes and 2D coordinates.• The process and experience of writing code.
8 videos, 6 readings, 2 practice quizzes
- Video: About you: Growth mindset
- Reading: Some information before you begin….
- Video: What is programming ? What is p5.js
- Reading: P5.js Resources
- Practice Quiz: Getting started with P5.js
- Video: Running your first program with Brackets
- Discussion Prompt: Running your first program with Brackets
- Video: Learn by hacking
- Reading: Programing exercise 1: Hack the Robot
- Discussion Prompt: Hack the Robot
- Video: 2D coordinate systems
- Practice Quiz: 2D coordinate system
- Reading: Programing exercise 2: Code from scratch: De Stijl
- Discussion Prompt: De Stijl, share your modern master
- Video: Code philosophy: What it feels like to code
- Discussion Prompt: Code philosophy
- Video: Getting started with Sleuth
- Reading: Sleuth Case by Case
- Reading: Transcripts for the videos of Sleuth cases 201, 202, 301, 302, 303
Graded: Sleuth assessment
WEEK 2
Drawing in 2D
In this topic you will learn about three key concepts: • Set of 2D drawing functions in p5.js • Colour representation and styles • Debugging with the console
7 videos, 4 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Practice Quiz: RGB colours
- Video: fill, stroke, noFill
- Reading: Programing exercise 3: Hack it - Robot parade
- Discussion Prompt: Hack it: Robot parade. What did you learn? What do you need to learn?
- Video: setup, draw and Programme Flow
- Practice Quiz: setup, draw and Programme Flow
- Video: Shapes: ellipse, rectangle, line, triangle, point
- Practice Quiz: ellipse, rectangle, line, triangle, point
- Reading: Programing exercise 4: Code from scratch: Kandinsky
- Discussion Prompt: Kandinsky: Share your abstract master. What did you learn? What do you need to learn?
- Reading: Teach it to yourself
- Video: How to access and use the console to view errors
- Video: Debugging syntax errors
- Practice Quiz: Using the console and debugging syntax errors
- Reading: Programing exercise 5: Debug challenge
- Video: Code Philosophy: Asking for help
- Discussion Prompt: Post examples of good and bad questions
WEEK 3
Variables, objects and interaction
In this topic you will learn about three concepts: • Variables and data
• Simple interaction
• Code organisation
10 videos, 4 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Video: Built-in Events: mousePressed, keyPressed
- Practice Quiz: Built-in Variables: mouseX, mouseY, and Events
- Reading: Programing exercise 6: Coding from scratch - Drawing App
- Discussion Prompt: Coding From Scratch: Drawing App. What did you learn? What do you need to learn?
- Video: Create your own variables: var, initialising and assigning
- Video: 12 top tips for naming variables
- Practice Quiz: Create your own variables: var, initialising and assigning
- Video: Objects
- Video: Working with operators
- Practice Quiz: Working with operators
- Video: Mathematical functions: random, min, max
- Reading: Programing exercise 7: Hack It - Sunrise
- Discussion Prompt: Hack it: Sunrise. What did you learn? What do you need to learn?
- Reading: Teach it to yourself
- Video: Inspecting variables in the console
- Practice Quiz: Inspecting Variables in the Console
- Reading: Programing exercise 8: Debug challenge
- Video: Code philosophy: The elegant coder
- Discussion Prompt: Code philosophy: The elegant coder
- Video: MOOC Summary
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
University of London
The University of London is a federal University which includes 18 world leading Colleges. Our distance learning programmes were founded in 1858 and have enriched the lives of thousands of students, delivering high quality University of London degrees wherever our students are across the globe. Our alumni include 7 Nobel Prize winners. Today, we are a global leader in distance and flexible study, offering degree programmes to over 50,000 students in over 180 countries. To find out more about studying for one of our degrees where you are, visit www.london.ac.uk
Goldsmiths, University of London
Championing research-rich degrees that provoke thought, stretch the imagination and tap into tomorrow’s world, at Goldsmiths we’re asking the questions that matter now in subjects as diverse as the arts and humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, computing, and entrepreneurial business and management. We are a community defined by its people: innovative in spirit, analytical in approach and open to all.
Pricing
| Purchase Course | |
|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Great course! Dr Anstead & Dr Katan are fantastic lecturers and the Sleuth & Co. game is a fun and engaging way to learn. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone looking to get their feet wet with programming. It's beginner level, for sure, but even if you have some experience, it can introduce you to some new concepts. I got some practice with the p5.js library which I had never heard of before, and is a powerful and easy to use library for artists and designers wanting leverage programming for their projects. Great job University of London!
Excellent Lecture
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It was an excellent way for students to learn the introductions of computer programming.
I thought that Sleuth was a very fun way of introducing coding exercises and practice with variables and use of P5js. There were some minor bugs in Sleuth such as the rejection of my submissions even though they were correct. When I resubmitted after the timeout lapsed, it was accepted.
I thought it would have been good to introduce more content and exercises on loops as this is very fundamental in computer programming. Perhaps a fourth week could have been dedicated to loops.