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Lesson 5 – Galga
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Course Overview –
As part of this development track you will learn to work with the Kittenbot Meowbit board and learn how to create different games and even play those games on the Kittenbot Meowbit. You will program the games using Microsoft Makecode Arcade (https://arcade.makecode.com/). Microsoft Makecode Arcade is currently in Beta but has support for a number of different boards including the Kittenbot Meowbit. As part of this development track you will learn how to program games for the Kittenbot Meowbit using Makecode Arcade block based coding and also using Javascript.
MakeCode Arcade has been designed by Microsoft as a web based code editor that can be used to create retro style games. If you’ve worked with Scratch or even the BBC micro:bit you’ll find MakeCode Arcade relatively easy to make use. The games that you can create can be played both on the web browser and also downloaded to your Kittenbot Meowbit allowing you to play the game on the board when not connected to the computer or the internet. Makecode Arcade allows you to program the Kittenbot Meowbit using both blocks and Javascript.
This development track builds on the learning gained from, “Programming Games with the Kittenbot Meowbit – I”. We would highly recommend heading over and completing that development track before starting off on this one.
The Kittenbot Meowbit is a card-sized graphical retro game computer with allows you coding with Makecode arcade (Blocks, Javascript) including MicroPython. In other words, it can combines game programming, game design while presenting learners the opportunity to learn mainstream programming languages like MicroPython. The Meowbit is a card-sized graphical programming video game console designed for kids of all ages.
What are the learning outcomes for this development track –
Here’s the outcomes we will be working towards as part of this development track.
- Explore the fundamentals of computational thinking
- Explore fundamentals of programming i.e. program structure, decisions, loops, variables, etc.
- Learn how to design, create games using Makecode Arcade
- Learn how to program retro style games using a block based programming approach
- Learn how to program retro style games using Javascript
- Learn Learn to work with the Kittenbot Meowbit, program the board with custom games and play them when not connected to the computer/internet
Recommended Prior Learning –
We would highly recommend that you complete some of the following development tracks before you start working on the Programming Games with the Kittenbot Mewobit development track.
- Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch I
- Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch II
- Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit I
- Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit II
- Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit III
- Design Interactive Games Using the BBC micro:bit
Each of the development tracks listed above can be access through KidzCanCode (https://learning.kidzcancode.com).
Prerequisites –
Here are the hardware prerequisites for this course –
- This tutorial makes extensive use of the Kittenbot Meowbit.
- If you haven’t purchased a Kittenbot Meowbit yet you might want to head over and pick one up now.
- We also recommend picking up a Kittenbot IoBit for working on electronics projects and a Kittenbot Robobit to be able to create a programmable robot.
About the Kittenbot Meowbit –
The Meowbit is a card-sized graphical retro game computer with allows you coding with Makecode arcade and Python. In other words, it can combines game programming, design while presenting learners the opportunity to learn mainstream programming languages like micropython. The Meowbit is a card-sized graphical programming video game console designed for kids of all ages.
The Kittenbot Meowbit comes with a 1.8′ full-color screen, 6 x programmable buttons, 1 x buzzer, built-in light sensor, temperature sensor, SD card slot (For external storage), multiplayer connector and edge connector. A special feature of the Meowbit is the in-built edge connector which should (**no extensive testing or certification of other 3rd party expansion boards has been conducted) be compatible with most micro:bit expansion boards out there. When combined with the Kittenbot Robot:bit board you have the ability to create a programmable versatile robot in a very short time. The Kittenbot Meowbit can also be used with the Kittenbot IoBit to create different electronics projects.