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 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!

Buying the Scratch or Minecraft package in our shop, will give you access to the lessons on the CodeCosmos learning platform for one year.

Scratch

The Scratch package contains 13 lessons. These lessons can be found on the CodeCosmos learning platform. In the slides of these lessons, you can directly open the exercises in Scratch, because this programming tool is integrated in the learning platform. Together with Ghent University, the CodeCosmos-team also developed a digital co-teacher in Scratch, which provides you with personal feedback while you are coding.

Minecraft

The Minecraft package contains 13 lessons. These lessons can be found on the CodeCosmos learning platform. On the learning platform, you will receive instructions to program certain missions in the Minecraft worlds created by CodeCosmos. In order to be able to do these exercises, you need to access Minecraft Education Edition. This coding tool is not integrated in the learning platform, but you can download and install it for free.

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.

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

For the Minecraft teaching package, the CodeCosmos learning platform interacts with the coding tool Minecraft Education Edition. In order to be able to follow the lessons, you need to install Minecraft Education Edition. The first lesson on the CodeCosmos learning platform provides you with a step-by-step guide on how to install this program. To start working with the Minecraft course, you will need two accounts. Your CodeCosmos account (to view the lesson material) and a Minecraft:EE account (to do the exercises on the Minecraft platform). Your Minecraft:EE account is automatically created as soon as you assign your child to a Minecraft course.

After buying the Scratch or Minecraft package, you have access to the lessons on the CodeCosmos learning platform for one year. Your personal license for Minecraft Education Edition is part of the package and also valid for one year after your purchase. (For the Scratch package, you don’t need an extra license, as the programming tool Scratch is integrated in the CodeCosmos learning platform.)

Parent

A Minecraft Education license is not the same as an account of the Minecraft game. So be sure to check the license you already have. The purchase of the Minecraft package includes access to the CodeCosmos learning platform as well as a Minecraft Education Edition license. You need this license to access the Minecraft worlds created by CodeCosmos. We cannot sell the license separately.

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.

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.