Project Title: Codezilla App Makers 8 week course Tagline: This curriculum introduced children aged 7-12 to the fundamentals of programming and app design using MIT App Inventor. Over eight weeks, students learned through interactive activities and app-building projects. Overview Role: Learning Designer, Instructor Timeline: 3-Month Full-Time Contract Project Skills: MIT App Inventor, Pedagogical Learning Skills Tools: MIT App Inventor, Pedagogical Learning Skills Context Background: The “App Makers 8-Week Program” introduced young learners to coding by creating mobile apps using MIT App Inventor. This curriculum, supported by instructor tutorials and learning materials, engaged children in app development through fun, hands-on experiences. Key concepts included coding fundamentals, app design, and user interface creation. Instructor Tutorials & Learning Materials: Comprehensive tutorials, concept cards, worksheets, and slide decks were developed to support instructors and students at every step, facilitating a smooth learning experience. Suggested Visual: Photos or illustrations of students working on their apps, using worksheets, or instructors utilizing the how-to sheets during sessions. Program Design and Structure 8-Week Curriculum Overview: Week 1: Introduction to programming basics and first app creation (“Hello, it’s me”). Concept Cards & Worksheets: Introduced foundational coding terms and basic app concepts. Slide Decks: Guided presentations on programming fundamentals. Instructor Tutorials: Provided detailed session breakdowns and step-by-step instructions. Week 2-3: Wireframing and UI/UX design, including app layout development. Week 4-5: Sprite creation and integration into apps. Week 6-8: Coding blocks implementation, game mechanics (e.g., Ball Bounce app), and final demos. Suggested Visual: Screenshots of curriculum elements, such as concept cards, app examples, worksheets, and instructor guides. Learning Summary Description: Students learned to code their own apps using MIT App Inventor, gaining an introduction to app development in a fun, interactive environment. The curriculum emphasized real-world skills relevant to the growing tech industry, as highlighted by Coursera’s 2023 forecast of a 25% job growth in software development by 2031. Skills Developed: App Development: Wireframing, layout, and user interface creation. Coding Skills: Introduction to object-oriented programming through visual coding blocks. Design: Creative app design, emphasizing color schemes, fonts, shapes, and readability. Example App Created: “Ball Bounce,” an interactive app coded by students, involved implementing coding blocks for game mechanics, including object movement, score tracking, and sound integration. Suggested Visual: Coding blocks used in the “Ball Bounce” app, along with a screenshot or video clip of the app in action. The Problem Challenge Identified: Many introductory coding programs lacked engaging content or failed to connect with real-world applications. This program bridged the gap by allowing children to see their ideas come to life as functioning mobile apps. Suggested Visual: A comparison chart showing common issues in beginner coding courses vs. hands-on learning approaches like this program. Objective Primary Goal: Introduce children to programming and app development through a hands-on, guided experience that built confidence and foundational coding skills. Instructor Materials Goal: Enabled instructors to lead each session confidently using a range of support materials (concept cards, worksheets, slide decks, and tutorials). Suggested Visual: A flowchart showing the learning path from wireframing to coding and app completion, with touchpoints for student support materials. Tools, Design, and Development Platform: MIT App Inventor for cloud-based app development. Supporting Materials: Concept Cards: Explained key coding concepts with visuals. Worksheets: Reinforced skills through practical exercises. Slide Decks: Provided structured lesson visuals. Instructor Tutorials: Comprehensive guides for facilitating sessions. Suggested Visual: Screenshots from MIT App Inventor, sample worksheets, and excerpts from instructor guides. Program Implementation and Feedback Implementation: Conducted over eight weeks with interactive lessons, student-led app design, and culminating demos of completed apps. Feedback: Students showed high engagement and development of coding skills. Feedback highlighted the positive impact of interactive lessons and robust instructor support. Suggested Visual: Student testimonials, data on engagement and improvement, and photos of students showcasing their work. Challenges: Ensuring consistent engagement and skill retention across diverse skill levels.