As part of the ‘Hour of Code’ initiative, Code.org has partnered with Lucasfilm to create a free online coding tutorial linked to the new film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

When engaging children with technology it is important to stay connected to the Zeitgeist and this program aims to encapsulate that. The tutorial heavily features the female characters Princess Leia and Rey in an effort to encourage girls to get involved with computer science and develop their computational thinking.

The tutorial has the option of choosing drag and drop blocks to create the code while more advanced users can progress to JavaScript.

The tutorial is self-paced (therefore enabling students of all abilities to complete it) even though it is designed to be completed within the ‘Hour of Code’. Anyone who knows JavaScript can write their own games within the tutorial allowing it to also meet the needs of more advanced users and adults.

Subject: Digital Technologies

Year Level: 1-6 (and beyond)

Strands and sub-strands:

Knowledge and Understanding (Digital Systems and Representation of Data)

Processes and Production Skills (Digital Implementation, Investigating and Defining, Designing, Producing and Implementing, Evaluating, Collaborating and Managing)

Link:

To access the tutorial:

• Access www.code.org
• Create a teacher login
• Go to CODE Studio
• Scroll down to find ‘The Hour of Code for All Ages’
• Select the Star Wars tutorial (There are others available such as Frozen or Minecraft)

General Capabilities:

Literacy, Numeracy, ICT capability, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding

Links to other learning areas:

English, Mathematics, Science

Classroom Activities/How to use:

The tutorial could be used as a whole class ‘hour of code’ activity if all students have their own devices or access to a computer lab. Otherwise students could conduct it as a pair activity or rotate through the class to complete it at separate times. It is designed as an introductory activity so it will depend on your students’ level of prior learning as to how it is used in the classroom.

Once each student has completed the tutorial, they reach a level where they are able to create their own Star Wars game which can then be shared and played on personal devices. This would make a great collaborative activity the will enhance critical and creative thinking, personal and social capability.