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Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming

Inés Friss de Kereki and Dr Areti Manataki

Have you ever wished you knew how to program, but had no idea where to start from? This course will teach you how to program in Scratch, an easy to use visual programming language. More importantly, it will introduce you to the fundamental principles of computing and it will help you think like a software engineer.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Your First Computer Program

In this unit you’ll create your very first computer program! You’ll be introduced to basic programming concepts and you’ll familiarise yourself with Scratch.

Code Gone Loopy!

In this unit you’ll keep working with control structures, you’ll find out how to use events in your programs and how to incorporate visual and sound effects in Scratch. You’ll also start thinking about the requirements and the design of your program.

Remixing Games

In this unit you’ll have a go at modifying and extending existing games to create new versions. You’ll also learn about software engineering practices for testing and documenting your programs.

Reusing Your Code

In this unit you’ll be introduced to procedures and cloning in Scratch, and you’ll apply these ideas to reuse your code.

Think Like a Software Engineer

In this unit you’ll follow all the steps of software development to create a fun computer game. You’ll also learn about message broadcasting and concurrency.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers programming fundamentals using the Scratch visual programming language

Introduces control structures, events, and visual/sound effects in programming

Encourages modification and extension of existing games to build new ones

Guides learners in reusing code through procedures and cloning

Provides a practical approach to software development through game creation

Incorporates message broadcasting and concurrency concepts

Suitable for beginners seeking an approachable introduction to programming

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Reviews summary

Coding with confidence

Learners say 'Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming' is a 5-week course with over 860 reviews that will teach you the basics of programming. With a 4.8-star average rating, students largely praise the engaging and clear instruction that can take you from programming novice to someone who feels confident embarking on more advanced topics. The course is particularly well-suited for beginners who have no coding experience or for those who are re-entering the field after a long absence. It can also be a helpful refresher for those who have taken a programming course but aren't yet ready to dive into more complex coding languages. The course uses Scratch, a visual programming language, to teach the fundamentals of coding. This makes the learning process more accessible and allows learners to see the results of their code immediately. The course is well-structured, with each week building on the previous one. The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging, and they provide clear and concise explanations. The course also includes a number of hands-on exercises and projects that allow learners to practice their skills. One of the things that makes this course so effective is its focus on problem-solving. Learners are encouraged to think critically about how to solve problems and to come up with their own solutions. This approach helps learners to develop the skills they need to be successful programmers. Overall, 'Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming' is an excellent course for beginners who want to learn the basics of programming. The course is well-structured, the instructors are knowledgeable and engaging, and the focus on problem-solving helps learners to develop the skills they need to be successful programmers.

The course also includes a number of hands-on exercises and projects that allow learners to practice their skills.

"The course also includes a number of hands-on exercises and projects that allow learners to practice their skills."

The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging, and they provide clear and concise explanations.

"The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging, and they provide clear and concise explanations."

The course uses Scratch, a visual programming language, to teach the fundamentals of coding.

"The course uses Scratch, a visual programming language, to teach the fundamentals of coding."

The course is well-structured, with each week building on the previous one.

"The course is well-structured, with each week building on the previous one."

One of the things that makes this course so effective is its focus on problem-solving. Learners are encouraged to think critically about how to solve problems and to come up with their own solutions.

"One of the things that makes this course so effective is its focus on problem-solving."

"Learners are encouraged to think critically about how to solve problems and to come up with their own solutions."

The course is particularly well-suited for beginners who have no coding experience or for those who are re-entering the field after a long absence.

"The course is particularly well-suited for beginners who have no coding experience or for those who are re-entering the field after a long absence."

The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging, and they provide clear and concise explanations.

"The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging, and they provide clear and concise explanations."

The course includes a number of hands-on exercises and projects that allow learners to practice their skills.

"The course also includes a number of hands-on exercises and projects that allow learners to practice their skills."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming with these activities:

Review core ideas

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Review core programming concepts to ensure they are fresh in your mind, making it easier to follow the course material and apply new knowledge.

Browse courses on Control Structures

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Go through your notes from previous programming courses.
Try to implement basic programming concepts in Scratch or another programming language.

Learn basic Scratch coding

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Follow online tutorials to learn the basics of Scratch, such as creating sprites, adding backgrounds, and using blocks to control their behavior.

Browse courses on Scratch

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Find a tutorial on Scratch basics.
Follow the steps in the tutorial to create a simple Scratch project.

Connect with Scratch experts

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Seek out experienced Scratch programmers who can provide guidance and support as you learn and develop your projects.

Show steps

Join online communities or forums dedicated to Scratch.
Attend Scratch workshops or meetups.
Reach out to Scratch programmers on social media.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Solve Scratch coding challenges

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Practice your Scratch coding skills by solving challenges, such as creating games or animations with specific requirements.

Browse courses on Scratch

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Find a website or book with Scratch coding challenges.
Choose a challenge that matches your skill level.
Try to solve the challenge on your own.
If you get stuck, look for hints or ask for help online.

Compile Scratch resources

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Create a collection of helpful Scratch resources, such as tutorials, code snippets, and project ideas, for future reference.

Browse courses on Scratch

Show steps

Search for Scratch resources online.
Organize resources into categories or topics.
Share your compilation with other learners.

Create your own Scratch project

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Apply your Scratch skills to create your own project, such as a game, animation, or interactive story.

Browse courses on Scratch

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Brainstorm ideas for your project.
Plan out the design and structure of your project.
Implement your project in Scratch.
Test your project and make revisions as needed.

Document your Scratch project

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Write a document that explains the purpose, design, and implementation of your Scratch project.

Browse courses on Scratch

Show steps

Describe the goals and objectives of your project.
Explain the design choices you made.
Provide step-by-step instructions on how to use your project.

Participate in Scratch competitions

Show steps

Test your Scratch skills and learn from others by participating in online or in-person Scratch competitions.

Browse courses on Scratch

Show steps

Find Scratch competitions that align with your interests.
Read the competition rules and requirements.
Brainstorm ideas for your project.
Implement your project in Scratch.
Submit your project to the competition.

Career center

Learners who complete Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and maintain the code that allows software and applications to run. This course introduces the fundamentals of programming using the Scratch programming language. You'll also explore principles of software engineering, which will help you succeed in this in-demand role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and implement software applications. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and principles of software engineering. You'll learn how to think like a software developer and apply these skills to your own projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and principles of software engineering. You'll learn how to think like a software developer and apply these skills to your own web development projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and principles of software engineering. You'll learn how to think like a software developer and apply these skills to database management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design and implement computer systems. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and principles of software engineering. You'll learn how to think like a software developer and apply these skills to systems analysis and design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists research and develop new computing technologies. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and principles of software engineering. You'll learn how to think like a software developer and apply these skills to computer science research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and principles of software engineering. You'll learn how to think like a software developer and apply these skills to data science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design and develop machine learning models. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and principles of software engineering. You'll learn how to think like a software developer and apply these skills to machine learning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineers design and develop artificial intelligence systems. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and principles of software engineering. You'll learn how to think like a software developer and apply these skills to artificial intelligence.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design and develop electrical systems. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers who want to learn more about programming and software engineering.

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Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design and develop robots. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and principles of software engineering. You'll learn how to think like a software developer and apply these skills to robotics.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and develop mechanical systems. This course may be useful for Mechanical Engineers who want to learn more about programming and software engineering.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and develop civil infrastructure. This course may be useful for Civil Engineers who want to learn more about programming and software engineering.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers design and develop biomedical devices and systems. This course may be useful for Biomedical Engineers who want to learn more about programming and software engineering.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design and develop chemical processes. This course may be useful for Chemical Engineers who want to learn more about programming and software engineering.

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Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming.

Coding Projects in Scratch

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Is designed for children who want to learn how to code using Scratch. It provides a fun and engaging approach to learning the basics of programming.

Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Coding with confidence

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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