In the past, doctors, teachers or civil servants were considered ideal careers. However, with the advancement of the times, automation and artificial intelligence have become more mature, and all fields have begun to have professional and technical needs for engineers. In order for children to keep up with the trend, they will be exposed to programming early to cultivate their programming logic or take further introductory programming courses. However, if you want your children to learn programming, you often wonder which programming language to choose so that they will not be obsolete? Is it suitable for children who have no basic knowledge to learn through programming games? Which program game to choose? Next, we will explain and introduce the world's three major programming games: CodeCombat, Minecraft, and Scratch, so that you can more easily find the most suitable learning method!
There are many types of programming languages. Why is it recommended that beginners learn Python programming language?
There are many types of programming languages, which are used in combination with each other and applied to different needs, such as: mobile/website/game programming, website development, system development, etc. According to TIOBE statistics, the top 10 most commonly used programming languages in the industry are: Python, C, Java, C++, C#, Visual Basic, JavaScript, Assembly language, SQL, and PHP.
Programming language rankings for November 2022
《Source: TIOBE Programming Language Ranking》
Since 2020, it has been the world's most popular programming language. Technology giants such as Youtube, Dropbox, and Instagram mainly use Python for program maintenance and development. Python programming language is simpler and easier to understand than other languages, making it very suitable for beginners. It can not only strengthen logical concepts and data integration, but also cultivate problem-solving skills! In order to let children get in touch with programming from an early age, many programming games have been created, allowing children to learn programming languages and establish programming logic while playing. This time, we have selected the world's top three programming games to introduce and recommend to you.
What are some common programming games suitable for children? What age is suitable for playing?
Codecombat
Codecombat is a programming game created by a Harvard team. When you open the game, you would never think that it is a game for learning programming. The overall design is similar to that of an ancient adventure game and is very attractive. The game has more than 300 levels. During the game, you have to use programming language to control the actions of the hero. The method of constantly fighting monsters and breaking levels can stimulate children's interest in learning programming and make them fall in love with programming without realizing it. CodeCombat programming learning materials are designed according to the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) certification standards. It is not just a simple game, but has set ability indicators: from memory, understanding, application, analysis, evaluation to creation. As the levels are learned, the application of different program codes is learned. The staged learning allows children to achieve learning achievements step by step.
AI4kids Combat level courses can obtain international certificates and enrich your learning experience!
CodeCombat has developed three levels of learning maps for elementary school, junior high school, and high school respectively: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Elementary school (beginner)
Computer Science Level 1 (CS1) is designed to inspire interest and is suitable for children who are just starting to learn computers (7-8 years old). The content includes: basic grammatical knowledge of Python and JavaScript, such as concepts such as strings, variables, parameters and loops.
Junior high school (intermediate)
Computer Science Level 2 (CS2) to Level 4 (CS4) are designed as advanced computer science courses, suitable for students from upper elementary school to third grade junior high school (9 to 14 years old); advanced grammar knowledge includes: functions, conditionals, Boolean operations, etc. As well as two topics (PBL) Game Development 2 (GD2) and Web Development 2 (WD2).
High School (Advanced)
Computer Science Level 5 (CS5) and Level 6 (CS6) are college computer science preparatory courses (AP courses) suitable for high school students (15 to 18 years old). Content includes: advanced applications such as data analysis and processing of tables, columns, arrays, dendrograms, graphs, etc. and special topics in Game Development 3 (GD3).
What age is suitable to learn Codecombat?
Suitable for children in third grade and above. Programming languages are all written in English. Schools start teaching English classes in the third grade of elementary school, so children are more familiar with English and have fewer obstacles in learning. Also, because children of this age have good finger flexibility, they can more easily become familiar with the use of the keyboard.
What programming languages can I learn through Codecombat?
Contains code levels such as Python, Html, CSS, C++, jQuery, and JavaScript.
Codecombat game features and applications
This game has been very attentive in both visual design and level design. The concept of ancient treasure hunting alone is enough to make you eager to start the game journey. Playing CodeCombat is really like playing a game. Not only do you have to type in strings to control the movement of the hero and perform different actions to fight monsters, but there are also many treasure hunting and puzzle levels, and each level is accompanied by a lot of programming language learning. Children can practice typing programming codes in the game, which will help them to become familiar with programming without realizing it. Some parents also let their children take CodeCombat courses, where they can learn through play in class and better understand the conceptual logic of the programming language with the teacher’s explanation.
Codecombat Future Applications
Any grammar and concepts learned in the game can be applied to game design, web application, and App development in the future. Compared to other programming games, the codes written in CodeCombat can actually be used in future programming.
Codecombat International Competition - CodeQuest
>> Learn more about CodeQuest competition
- Language: Chinese version available
- Paid software: Monthly/half yearly/yearly
- CodeCombat Free Trial Course
- Purchase link: CodeCombat registration code subscription
- Codecombat price: 299 yuan/month ※The price is for reference only, please follow the official channel announcement price.
- Getting Started: ★★★★★
- Future applications: ★★★★★
Minecraft (Wheat Blocks)
What are Minecraft Wheat Blocks? Everyone must have heard of "Minecraft". Minecraft is a sandbox game developed independently by a Swiss game designer. Finally, Microsoft bought Minecraft for US$2.5 billion. McCube is like a gaming version of Lego, where players can play games through grammar. Minecraft's game style is an exploration action-adventure game, allowing players to explore and create to their heart's content in the game!
What age is suitable to learn Minecraft?
Children aged 10 years and above.
Minecraft Game Features and Applications
You can accumulate programming concepts and cultivate programming logic thinking in the game, so that you can understand programming logic more quickly when learning programming languages in the future.
Minecraft Competition - Wheat Block Building Competition
Official website: https://mineschool.ntc.im/
- Minecraft price: 788 yuan ※The price is for reference only, please refer to the official announcement price.
- Official website: https://www.minecraft.net/zh-hans/
- Minecraft Trial - Official: Minecraft: Java Edition Free Trial ( https://www.minecraft.net/zh-hant/free-trial )
- Getting Started: ★★★★★
- Future applications: ★★
Scratch
Scratch is a computer programming platform developed by the MIT Media Lab. In the game, everyone can write programs without being restricted by grammar or language.
What age is suitable for learning Scratch?
Suitable for children in grade 3 and above; 8 to 16 years old.
Scratch game features and applications
Scratch turns interfaces and structures into building blocks and blocks, so that students do not need to memorize a lot of grammar when they first get started. They can write programs by simply arranging grammar blocks! Programming in Scratch is like speaking. As long as you can describe it, you don’t have to worry about not being able to learn it. Take shooting as an example. Generally speaking, you just throw the ball out directly, but in the computer, the action must be subdivided: the ball leaves the hand, flies to the top of the arc, and then slowly falls down, and finally falls to a point. Just follow the above description, and you can create the shooting animation! There are now more and more types of learning boards, including advanced learning boards that allow students to use Scratch to control Bluetooth tools or LED lights, or even control robots.
Scratch Competition - National Cat Cup Scratch Competition
Official website: https://cat.pro.edu.tw/
- Free software: Free kids programming community
- Official website: https://scratch.mit.edu/
- Getting Started: ★★★★★
- Future applications: ★★★
What is the difference between CodeCombat, Minecraft, and Scratch? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
| CodeCombat | Minecraft | Scratch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Features | A level-breaking game similar to Ancient Adventure | Exploration action-adventure game | Visual puzzle programming |
| Age | Elementary school third grade and above | Age 10+ | Elementary school third grade and above; 8~16 years old |
| Difficulty | Learning maps for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels | Beginner | Beginner |
| Paid/Free | Payment | Payment | free |
| Future Practicality | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★ |
| advantage | There are more than 300 levels of actual programming in the game, allowing players to learn programming step by step and even participate in international competitions. | Explore freely in the game, satisfy your imagination and creativity while learning programming | Can quickly learn the initial programming concepts |
| shortcoming | If you want to challenge more difficult levels, you need to pay extra | You need to use an Office 365 Education account, which can only be used on a single platform | There are many variations in programming, and this mode has limited operation and is prone to bugs |
| Contest | International Competition CodeQuest | Wheat Block Building Competition | National Cat Cup |
Summarize
On the road to learning programming, the most important thing is to find the learning method that suits you best. The natures of these three programming games are very different. With the introduction and comparison of each programming game, I believe everyone has found their ideal learning game!
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