8-10 yrs old
11-13 yrs old
Computer Science
Technology
This lesson teaches how to program the agent using MakeCode to build structures. There are 10 exercises starting very easy, and gets harder.
January 25, 2019
Link to sample solutions made with MakeCode
Sample solution to the first 7 exercises. Includes smart solutions to some of the problems.
Exercise world
A fully automated world with 10 pre-made exercizes and automatic testing. Should be played in survival mode on the students computer with cheats.
The exercise requires Minecraft Education Edition and the Code Builder. MakeCode is the recommended editor.
The attached world has 10 pre-generated building exercises for the agent. The student can press a button from 1 to 10 to load a model. Next to the model is a glass-cage for the agent to build a copy of the model. The world is protected, and the only possible place to build is inside the cage. The player will not be able to access the building area, so the agent needs to do the work.
When the build is complete, the student can press a button to check if the build is correct. It will then compare the model with the build by the agent. If the build is correct, two lamps will be turned on. When the exercise is complete, the student can press another button to clear the area and try the next exercise.
For a student who has learned the basic of moving the agent around, this is an activity that the student can work on at their own pace, and students can be on different skill-levels at the same time.
TIP: The teacher can edit the models to make new ones, or edit the existing models.
The goal is to let the student try to solve different problems with code.
The attached world should be played in survival mode on the students own computer, and cheats needs to be enabled.
The student will need to solve the following problems:
1. Teleporting the agent to the start position.
2. Make code to turn the agent automatically into the right direction.
3. Make code to get the agent to the start position of the build model.
4. Make code that creates a copy of a model.
5. Most coding will require repeat..times-loops, and for the harder exercises, it will be useful to make functions and check and refill the inventory.
I use this exercise after they have learned the basics of MakeCode and moving the agent, and after they have learned about variables and loops.
The exercises will take hours to complete. When all exercises are complete, it is easy to replace the models with new ones. Students with good problem solving skills will be able to work alone at their own pace, and gradually try harder exercises. The teacher will then be able to coach and assist students who need a pointer.
If the exercises are getting easy, the student can switch to JavaScript and repeat the exercises.
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