Frequently asked questions
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- All
- Minecraft
- Scratch
We offer a unique combination of pedagogically well-founded lessons and extensive expertise (which we have already built up for years with our Coding Academy CodeFever and as Microsoft Global Training Partner). The fun videos, cool games and a continuous storyline all form a coherent whole.
The platform provides additional assets that are incorporated into our lessons in Scratch and Minecraft.
Scratch
The programming tool Scratch was fully integrated into our learning platform so that all exercises can be easily opened and saved from the informative slides in the platform. Together with the University of Ghent, we also developed a digital co-teacher in Scratch who provides children with tailored feedback.
Minecraft Education Edition
For our Minecraft teaching package, we provide pre-programmed worlds and prepared code in MakeCode so that the children can complete attractive tasks that are not too difficult. What they have to do is recorded step by step in our learning platform.
With CodeCosmos, children and young people properly learn computational thinking and coding, which are essential skills for the future!
Both teaching packages require no prior knowledge of computational thinking or programming.
Minecraft
The series consists of 13 lessons. In lessons 1 to 4, the concepts of computational thinking, sequencing and coordinates are introduced, followed by a recap in lesson 5 in which all concepts are covered together. This lesson can also be given as a task. In lessons 6 to 8, the children learn about pattern recognition, functions, algorithms, types of loops and selections. Afterwards, in lesson 9, there is a review lesson in which the concepts are combined. Lesson 10 repeats all the previous concepts in a combined exercise. The module concludes with the concepts conditions and debugging. We end with a review lesson in which all concepts of the series return.
Scratch
The series consists of 13 lessons.In lessons 1 to 4, the concepts of computational thinking, sequencing, decomposition, pattern recognition and algorithms are introduced, followed by a recap in lesson 5 in which all concepts are combined. This lesson can also be given as a task. In lessons 6 to 8, the different types of loops are discussed. Afterwards, in lesson 9, there is a review lesson in which the concepts are combined. The module concludes with the concepts conditions, selections and debugging. We end with a repetition lesson in which all concepts of the series return.
Computational thinking is approaching a problem in such a way that it can ultimately be solved by a computer. Through a particular process, we look at the problem and find the most efficient way to arrive at a solution. Computational thinking involves five 'concepts' or steps.
Step 1: Decomposition
The first step is decomposition. You can compare this with segmentation: the given problem is split up into smaller subproblems. Afterwards, we deal with each of the subproblems separately.
Step 2: Pattern recognition
After we have determined the subproblems, we do pattern recognition. We look for similar properties so that we can use the solution multiple times. In this way, we avoid unnecessary duplication in the long run.
Step 3: Abstraction
The next step is abstraction. Here we leave out unnecessary details. This ensures that we focus only on what is essential. We can also do this for obvious instructions, which we can group together but do not elaborate on in detail.
Step 4: Algorithmic thinking
After this, we move on to algorithmic thinking. This involves developing an algorithm to solve the problem. An algorithm is a collection of instructions that we must carry out in a specific order in order to arrive at a solution. You can compare it with a step-by-step plan. This part is a very important aspect of computational thinking. Thinking through the steps to reach the solution is generally more important than the solution itself.
Step 5: Evaluating
This is the final step. Here, we check whether the answer does indeed offer a solution to the starting problem and we test this extensively. In addition, we detect and adjust errors, also called 'debugging'. This is also the phase where you take a critical look at your work and think about whether it could be even more efficient.
Once you have applied decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, algorithmic thinking and evaluation, you have solved your problem using computational thinking.
The diagram below from Barefoot (UK) explains what these concepts mean and how you can work on them.
The future will be made by creators, not by consumers.
From small technological gadgets and gizmos to extensive professional digitalisation with major consequences... Our society and economy are facing a number of radical changes. Not only do we read about this more often in the newspapers, but we also feel it in our own lives.
- Algorithms will play an increasingly important role in the future. Only those who understand how algorithms work can comprehend the world of today and tomorrow.
- Programming creates critical citizens who think more deeply about topics such as social media and fake news.
- Programming is cognitive top-class sports: there are few mental activities that train our brains harder.
- Job security: many ICT-related jobs have been on the list of so-called bottleneck professions for years.
That's why we need computational thinkers, because...
Computational thinkers...
- are problem solvers
- become innovators
- grow into creators
Computational thinking is...
- based on research
- known worldwide
- simple to teach and easy to learn
- The packages are suitable for children and young people aged 9 to 15. If you are in doubt, try out a demo lesson!
We use blockbased programming in the CodeCosmos teaching packages.
In Scratch, the CodeCosmosians work with the well-known Scratch blocks.
In Minecraft Education, CodeCosmosians learn to program with Microsoft's MakeCode.
Parent
For the home version, the missions were divided into exercises. Depending on your child's speed, understanding and focus, it will take about 20 hours going through the learning paths.
School
Each mission takes about one hour to complete. There are 13 missions in total. Some missions also have an extra challenge that is not counted in this hour. Depending on how you approach the lesson using the teacher's guide, this lesson pack can be longer or shorter.
Yes, it is possible to become a distribution partner of CodeCosmos. You will then sell the products we offer through your own channels.
For more information, please send an email to sales@codecosmos.be
- Minecraft Education Edition is the coding version of Minecraft, especially designed to teach teenagers how to code. The extra functionalities of this version allow children to program worlds themselves in Microsoft's MakeCode. In combination with our learning platform, the concepts of computational thinking and programming are practiced in an appealing way in the Minecraft Education series.
- Although gaming in Minecraft has a high fun factor, children do not learn to program with it. Our teaching package contains four pre-programmed worlds with didactic exercises that allow teenagers to learn and practise the concepts of computational thinking and programming step by step. The clear explanations in the learning platform provide support while making the exercises and offer a theoretical framework for each new concept. In addition, each world is built around a theme from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), allowing the children to absorb the various goals in a playful manner
Parent
The purchase of the Minecraft package includes a license of Minecraft Education. After filling in the details of your child(ren) you will receive an email with your personal licence within three working days. After that you can easily install Minecraft Education by following the step-by-step plan that is extensively described in the first lesson.
School
The purchase of the Minecraft package includes a license of Minecraft Education. When filling in your personal details you will find a button where you can upload an Excel list of your pupils. We link every child to a license and send you an email with personalized licenses within three working days. After that you can easily install Minecraft Education by following the step-by-step plan. It is also possible to add individual pupils to the platform.
- Minecraft Education licenses are valid for one year from the moment a child/ pupil logs in for the first time.
Parent
A Minecraft Education licence is not the same as an account of the Minecraft game. So be sure to check the licence you already have. The purchase of the Minecraft Education package includes a license anyway, as we cannot sell them separately per child.
School
A Minecraft Education licence is not the same as an account of the Minecraft game. So be sure to check the licenses you already have.
Do you already have the correct licenses?
Then you can buy the Minecraft Education package a little cheaper through the webshop.
Each user will be manually enrolled and linked to a personal Minecraft license. This operation will take a maximum of three working days.
- Scratch is fully embedded on our learning platform. This means that nothing needs to be downloaded or installed. This makes saving a piece of cake. The digital co-teacher in the platform automatically gives the children tailor-made feedback. When you purchase a package, you can start immediately!
- With 58 million users Scratch is one of the top 20 programming languages in the world and is regarded as the market leader in educational computational thinking for children. We are going a step further by integrating Scratch into our learning platform. Throughout the curriculum, which is written in comprehensible language, children are introduced to the methodology of computational thinking. The integrated digital co-teacher, developed in collaboration with Ghent University, checks the written and provides feedback. These tips put your child/pupil on the right track again!
- The digital co-teacher is, in short, an extra control tool that has been added to the Scratch environment. By clicking on the magnifying glass, the digital co-teacher will automatically check the written code. Based on this check, you can quickly and clearly see what is going well and what can be improved. This button is currently still a beta version.
- Schools: The data is kept for at least two years so that it can be submitted for school inspection.
CodeCosmos is an online platform so you need internet access and the most recent version of Google Chrome. This browser updates automatically so normally you always have the most recent version.
When you purchase the Minecraft Education Edition teaching package, you will also need to install the corresponding software.
You can download it via this link:
https://education.minecraft.net/get-started/download/Installation Minecraft Education:
Requirements:
- Windows: preferably Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7 also possible
- Mac: macOS High Sierra 10.13 and higher
- Chromebook: Chrome OS 83 and higher
- iPad: iOS 10 and higher
You will download a zipped folder with the name 'minecraft_education_edition_xxxx'. After you have unzipped it, open the document 'installation instructions-READ ME'. You will find further instructions there. This information is also mentioned in the first lesson of the Minecraft package.When you want to install the program click (with the right mouse button) on 'InstallMinecraftEducationEdition' and select 'Run as administrator'. Minecraft will then be installed on your computer.
- Would you like an invoice after purchasing a lesson package? You can find it under the tab 'orders'. Via the download button you can easily request the invoice.
- Definitely. Send an email to sales@codecosmos.be and together we will see what the possibilities are.
- During the payment process you can change the currency to your preference. The new price will be automatically recalculated depending on the exchange rate at the specific moment of purchase.
Would you like to try out a demo of the Scratch package? Then you can test the first lesson of the package and the accompanying exercises to your heart's content. Convinced? Purchase the lesson pack and receive all other lessons as well!
Would you like to request a demo of the Minecraft package? Then you will automatically get access to the first lesson of the package to view the content. To open the worlds and make the exercises, please contact us. We will then send you a trial license of Minecraft Education within three working days, with which you can log in 10 times.
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