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Course name
Coding with Minecraft with Dan Goddu
Recorded course taught by Dan Goddu for Middle School Computer Science
Category
Computer Science
Grade
Middle School
Semester
Recorded
Summary

Learn the core concepts of computer programming in this high-interest, advanced middle school course -- with Minecraft! Join us for a fun, interactive, hands-on course where your young teen “gets ahead” with technology!

Instructor Access is available for this course for $50!

Instructor: Dan Goddu

Course Description: Coding with Minecraft introduces students to core computer programming concepts such as events, coordinates, variables, conditionals, functions, and iteration. It builds on the popularity of Minecraft and introduces core concepts to learn how to code.

Special notes

Instructor Access is available for this course for $50!

Updated instructions for downloading and installing Minecraft Education and for purchasing a license have been posted to the Coding with Minecraft course page.  The updated instructions greatly simplify the process for purchasing the license.

Total classes

9

Duration

45 minutes

Prerequisites

A love of Minecraft and a desire to learn coding. Make sure you own the required software (see Course Materials).

Suggested grade level

6th to 8th grade

Suggested credit

3/4 semester of Computer Science

Outline

Course Outline:

Class 1: Introduction – Setup; Programming Challenge One – The Agency

Class 2: Events and Algorithms; Programming Challenge Two

Class 3: Loops/Iteration/Conditionals; Programming Challenge Three

Class 4: Data, Variables, and Operators; Programming Challenge Four

Class 5: Minecraft Builder, Sounds, Functions; Programming Challenge Five

Class 6: More on Functions; Programming Challenge Six

Class 7: Final Project, Part 1; Aim Trainer Arcade Tutorials

Class 8: Final Project, Part 2; Aim Trainer Arcade Programming (variables, functions, loops, conditionals, loops, etc.)

Class 9: Aim Trainer Arcade Competition

Materials

Minecraft Education is supported on PCs, Macs, tablets, and Chromebook. The robustness of running Minecraft Education and a browser connected to the Homeschool Connections course page for this course is dependent upon your computer, laptop, table, or Chromebook configuration.

Minimally, during class, only a browser connected to the course page and a Zoom connection is required.  Running Minecraft Education, along with the browser, and Zoom all at the same time could be problematic. Students can run Minecraft Education after class to complete assignments.

Alternatively, some students in the past have run Minecraft Education on a different device from the device being used for the Zoom meeting during class.

Homework

Homework: Students can expect to spend 30 to 45 minutes a week working on their coding creations and submitting them on the course page for grading.

Course name
Coding with Minecraft with Dan Goddu
Instructor
Dan Goddu
Semester
Recorded
Category
Computer Science
Grade levels
Middle School
Start time
September 4th, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET
Course type
Recorded, free with subscription
Relative due dates
Relative due dates are disabled for this course.
Enhanced quiz security
Enhanced assignment security

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Dan Goddu
dgoddu.hsc@gmail.com

About Dan Goddu

Dan Goddu has been blessed to have had a successful software engineering career before retiring in April, 2021. He has successfully held various positions throughout his career as a software quality assurance manager and auditor, a software developer, and a manufacturing test manager. His last full-time job was an IT specialist for a Catholic internet television studio as a network system administrator which included supporting the video production team, the control room, and end-users.

For over 25 years, he served the youth of New Hampshire as a former volunteer director of youth ministries at St. Christopher Parish, Nashua, NH, as a part-time youth ministry coordinator at St. Kathryn Parish in Hudson, NH, and as a volunteer retreat leader for Infant Jesus Parish in Nashua, NH. He most recently established the First Coast Catholic Alliance, a lay group that helps Catholics connect, increase their faith, and develop and take action to resist and reverse the confusion, error, and heresy, that has infiltrated our Church and our culture. He is dedicated to his own, his family, and others salvation; He is 100% faithful to the Magisterium, and is at the service of the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ.

A graduate of Merrimack College in North Andover, MA where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science, he holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. He also has a Certification in Youth Ministries from the Diocese of Manchester, NH. He is married to his wife Joan of 37 years. They have three children and two grandchildren and reside in the Northeast Florida.

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