Unlock the Thinking Behind Computing. Develop key underpinning skills to give you insight into the world of computing and to harness its potential.

Quintin Cutts +1 more instructor

Offered By

Computational Thinking with JavaScript SpecializationUniversity of Glasgow

What you will learn

A key problem solving framework to use new technologies in any problem domain.
Experience using the framework with Javascript and animated graphics.
Learners will discover how to process, analyse and visualize data using simple JavaScript libraries and data structures.
You develop and deepen your Computational Thinking skills
You learn how HTML and JavaScript work together to give you much of what you see on the web

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

This Specialization is intended for those with minimal under-the-hood experience of working with computing who want to take the first steps towards a deep understanding of principles and practice of how to solve problems with software technology. Learners will use JavaScript within a web-based framework to generate graphics and analyse data, bringing these together in interactive web applications. Learners will acquire specific self-directed learning skills, enabling them to tackle new problem domains and technologies throughout their work and life.

Applied Learning Project

The course uses a hands-on approach with learning driven by a range of programming exercises, from small, scaffolded coding practice up to open-ended programming projects of the learner's choice.The context is JavaScript programming, first within a hosted beginner-friendly environment within the Coursera platform, progressing to industry-level development tools appropriate for creating interactive web-based applications.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 7 hours/week

English

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 7 hours/week

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 4 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

Computational Thinking with Javascript 1: Draw & Animate

This is the first course in a sequence of four courses that develops essential 21st century computational thinking (CT) skills using the popular JavaScript language as a vehicle.

At the end of this first course you will: know a framework for CT to help you learn about it and work with others; be developing your CT skills so that you can more easily work with digital technology of all kinds; be able to read and write programs in JavaScript that involve drawing and animation, using a specialised library; and post your creations on the web so that others can appreciate your skills. This course is suitable for: complete beginners; those who have taken an introductory course in any programming language and want to learn more deeply about the thinking and learning skills they are starting to develop; those who wish to learn Javascript in a supportive environment. The follow-on courses explore the manipulation and analysis of data, such an important aspect of our lives now, again in a highly supportive environment, and then we move the context to mainstream web--based platforms so that you can use these skills more widely.

Course2

Course 2

Computational Thinking with JavaScript 2: Model & Analyse

This is the second course in a sequence of four courses that develops essential 21st century computational thinking (CT) skills using the popular JavaScript programming language.

At the end of this second course you will: know a framework for CT to help you model the real world using abstract data structures; have developing CT skills so that you can perform comon data analytics tasks; be able to read and write programs in JavaScript that involve processing, analysing and visualizing data, using a specialised library; and post your creations on the web to share your code with others. This course is suitable for: learners who have taken the first course in this specialization 'Computational Thinking in JavaScript 1: Draw and Animate' or for those who have basic JavaScript skills and want to learn about simple data analytics.

Course3

Course 3

Computational Thinking with JavaScript 3:Organise & Interact

This third course in the Computational Thinking with JavaScript specialization applies your developing JavaScript skills learned in the first two courses to the world of the web. You will learn how HTML and JavaScript together support the web pages with which we are so familiar, and develop skills so that you can create your own. As well as text presentation, at the heart of HTML, you will learn how to develop interactive, animated graphics, using JavaScript to dynamically add, remove and adjust the HTML objects on the screen. Furthermore, you will leave the more sheltered Coursera programming environment, working with external programming environments, and learning how to use new libraries. Through this practice with new application areas and new building blocks, we build on the computational thinking frameworks introduced in the earlier courses, focusing particularly on the challenges of maintaining a consistent understanding of the multiple computational representations required to master programming.

Course4

Course 4

Computational Thinking with JavaScript 4: Create & Deploy

This is the fourth and final course in the Computational Thinking with JavaScript specialisation. It is an added-value unit and entirely builds on what you will have learned in the first three units and enables you to synthesise and develop that knowledge. The course supports you to develop your own larger application, using a combination of the technologies you have seen already, including HTML, JavaScript and various libraries, while also encouraging you to reach out to incorporate new libraries. You are taken through the software development process step-by-step, with guidance along the way. You have plenty of opportunity to interact with your peers on the course, and to review their work at periodic intervals.

Instructors

Quintin Cutts

Professor of Computer Science Education

School of Computing Science

690 Learners

4 Courses

Jeremy Singer

School of Computing Science

690 Learners

4 Courses

Offered by

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow has been changing the world since 1451. It is a world top 100 university (THE, QS) with one of the largest research bases in the UK.

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK Universities with annual research income of more than £179m. The University’s #TeamUofG community is truly international with over 8000 staff and 28,0000 students from more than 140 countries. A 2019 Time Out survey placed Glasgow in the top ten cities in the world. Ranked between Berlin and Paris, Glasgow was voted number one for both friendliness and affordability. Right now our dedicated community of staff, students and alumni is working to address the challenges of Covid-19 and understand how we can make life safer for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Can I take the course for free?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Computational Thinking with JavaScript Specialization

What you will learn

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

Applied Learning Project