Code Monkey Island (Toys And Games) 4716

Code Monkey Island Review (na)

I'm a high school computer science teacher. I also run an after school coding club at my son's elementary. Prior to this, i worked as a software engineer for 11 years. . I found and bought a copy of code monkey island on a whim about a year and a half ago, shortly after the kickstarter campaign ended. I was curious to see how the promise of teaching real computer science logic and syntax would hold up outside of the marketing video, and with children like my own. After testing it at home with my husband and son (who now brings it off the shelf for us to play every week or so), i knew that this could be a fascinating resource in the classroom. . In the year since, i've purchased several additional copies for my after school class, and even have two copies on hand to illustrate concepts for my high school kids. This is, in my opinion, the only computer science learning game that effectively reinforces real coding principles for young learners. I love that my students can argue about the logic together and draw connections between the code they've been learning how to write on the computer, and the actual logic they see in the game. We also use this alongside tools like scratch and code. Org. . I agree with other posters that there can be ambiguity in the rules at first. We emailed the creator directly and he clarified our questions for us, but hopefully they add an faq section to the website. However other than that, i'm pleased with the game and will continue using it in my classrooms. -I. Mays

Code Monkey Island Toy

Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set, 83 Pieces

This is a great game, and it really is a good introduction not only to programming, but to logic (and math) - to the idea of algorithms in general. It also teaches kids the idea of "following the rules" and "what a mouse can and cannot understand" - the kind of commands it takes. For the younger kids, even setting up the board as in the picture, is a challenge in itself, and a very useful challenge in maps/spacial orientation at that. . The mouse itself is very cute; the commands are easy to implement. . I did take one star off for a couple of minor annoyances:. - the mouse doesn't always precisely execute each turn, which means it may end up going off course. It's not so bad as to affect the algorithm unless you have many-many moves, but it means the mouse can run into the purple walls when there's a tight turn. . - whenever the mouse finds "cheese", it stops executing instructions, even if it had a further sequence programmed. I can see why they made it this way, but it also makes it impossible to program the "go there, get the cheese and bring it back here" kind of programs. . - kids need to remember to press "erase memory" in order to program a new sequence. I do understand this choice though - otherwise there would be no memory at all if you think too long between adding new instructions, and that would be even more annoying. . On the plus side, this is one of those games where the "puzzles" are not limited by the number of instruction cards. It's very easy for a parent (or for a kid themselves) to make up their own puzzles. . Our youngest one just turned 3, and he's still struggling with the concept of programming the mouse, but he likes it and is definitely getting some idea. Our next oldest is 8, and she's already programming (in scratch and trying out python), so this is "too simple" for her, but the mouse is cute enough to keep both her attention and her 11 year old's brother, and make them interested in playing with their younger brother. . On a funny note, our youngest was actually quite hesitant about touching the mouse at first (he was a bit scared of it). And even now, when it's running, he makes sure to get out of the way.

Build your maze, and then use the coding cards to create a step-by-step path for the programmable robot mouse. Program the sequence of steps, and then watch the mouse race to find the cheese! this deluxe set includes 30 double-sided coding cards, 10 double-sided activity cards, cheese wedge, and activity guide to provide the perfect hands-on introduction to coding concepts. Create endless maze path possibilities with 16 maze grids, 22 maze walls, and 3 tunnels. Add multiple players with the programmable robot mouse (ler 2841), sold separately. Mouse lights up, makes sounds, and features 2 speeds. Mouse measures 4"l and requires 3 aaa batteries (not included).

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Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set (LER2831) FAQ.

I gave this to my daughter for christmas and she absolutely loves it. She loves creating the mazes, and i love watching the "wheels turn" in her head as she figures out how to program the mouse to successfully navigate the maze. The mouse does fall off the maze sometimes (usually when it wasn't pointed perfectly straight before starting it moving), but placing the "walls" of the maze in the right places to prevent this is part of the challenge. If i had a complaint it would be that it's a bit expensive for what is essentially a plastic toy with some rudimentary electronics. Despite the cost, i'm very happy with the purchase and satisfied with the amount of use my daughter is getting out of it. -Notice from S. Veronica, North Dakota

Click to Show learning resources code & go robot mouse activity set (ler2831) Details

I like these robot mice a lot. They got 4 stars because they run out of batteries quickly. I found, however, that if you leave them in the off positions for a while, they will sometimes come back on w/o changing the batteries. I bought 10 sets to use with first and second grade classes during our unit on coding. They absolutely love working with the robot mice. I think the k-2 age range is perfect. You can add more complexity for the second graders with the kit materials and letting them find materials around the classroom to make challenges for their mouse. The tiles do take about 10 plus minutes to set up and can overtake the use of the robot mouse and coding unless students are given enough time. But, they help kids visually figure out how the mouse will move and really work on spacial abilities. Students just need enough time for set up, programing, and execution. I gave my second grade students about 30-35 minutes work time in pairs and most groups were able to set up 2 different mazes or just use one and make several different programs.

- W. KathleneLove this with my k-3 classes, used it to teach beginning sequencing skills for coding. A good tangible way to drive the concept home. I wish more people could play the game, because the game one on one in the classroom is not feasible. Good beginner route to sphero balls, ozobots, dash and dot.

It is a good playing and learning set, well working and easy to use. 4 starts instead of 5 because modern kids are generally so spoiled with their excessive number of toys and games that they need extra attractive entertainment to get interested and return to the game. In this very well working and well designed set, mouse is going to the cheese and makes some fun sounds, but need some more rewarding and attractive details to keep kids interested. Even if these extra details were just dumb plastic decorations, maybe they could keep the kid come back more to this very good developmental activity.

Q. Rita, Waltham Forest

ThinkFun Robot Turtles Board Game

Two words: robot turtles. This game teaches kids 4+ the ins and outs of programming in a fun, tactile game. Perfect for 2-5 players, this game has levels of increasing difficulty, introducing obstacles and more complex code cards. Beginner to advanced levels will make it a family favorite for many years!

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CodingFarmers MathAndCoding.org

Coding farmers is the first ever board game to teach real programming concepts to children as young as seven years. This innovative and ground-breaking game exposes kids to a language used widely by both students and software engineers, the java programming language. Made by kids, for kids, we can guarantee it'll be fun to play and learn! increasing difficulty levels also encourage young students to learn coding while keeping the game fresh and exciting no matter how many times it is played. Children play the game with action cards, which describe an action, like "move forward by two spaces" in two ways: regular english, and java code. By playing the game several times, kids learn to connect their actions with written code. They become programming literate all while having a blast - rolling a dice, maneuvering around obstacles and chatting with their friends and family. The aim of the game is to show kids that computers aren't doing "voodoo magic" when they run programs; they are simply doing simple operations, like addition and subtraction, and making choices. In this game, kids quickly learn to gain an appreciation for how powerful and simple programming can be.

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Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse

I use this mouse at school with my third graders. I have them solve math problems and they then program the mouse the find the answer on the large chart i made. It is very engaging and the students love the coding aspect of the activity. It basically kills two birds with one stone. . My only issue with the mouse is that its turns aren't always the sharpest. I thing the ball bearing that the mouse has in the front doesn't move as smooth as it needs, so the turn radius is off. As a result, the mouse doesn't always end up where we need it to be. . Overall, this is a great product and much cheaper than some of the other products that are similar. It is great for an engaging activity with students, especially with such a strong push for stem activities.

Create a step-by-step path for the programmable robot mouse using the 30 double-sided coding cards to provide a hands-on introduction to coding concepts. The mouse lights up, makes sounds, and features 2 speeds along with colorful buttons to match coding cards for easy programming and sequencing. Includes activity guide. Use with the robot mouse coding activity set (ler 2831) for more play options, learning opportunities, and fun! mouse measures 4 l and requires 3 aaa batteries, not included.

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Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse (LER2841) FAQ.

Yes. This is a fun learning tool for elementary students. -Notice from O. Juliana, Delaware

Click to Show learning resources code & go robot mouse (ler2841) Details

Love it! easy to use and kids (students) immediately become engaged.

- G. RuffMy eight year-old got this for christmas and loves it because she loves coding the mouse to go through mazes that she builds. You don't need to buy the more expensive version that includes maze materials since you can use blocks and whatever else your child dreams up to create a path for little guy - promotes more creativity while engineering!

I am using these for kindergarten classes. Kindred can figure them out and the games make them think.

U. Kelly, Nottingham