14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft will be hosting an event for Boston area educators next month, focusing on how an innovative visual programming language from the Redmond company can help teach students 21st century skills.
Kodu Kamp for Educators will take place on Tuesday, November 09, 2010 from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (ET) at the Microsoft New England Research & Development Center.
The event is completely free to educators in Boston/Cambridge MA, allowing them to get insight into how to use Kodu in the classroom.
“Are you interested in having your students learn problem solving, logic, and storytelling skills along with the basics of computer programming that are essential in today’s world?” asked Alfred Thompson, the K-12 Computer Science Academic Relations Manager for Microsoft.
“Educators and students can attend a FREE Kodu Kamp at the Microsoft New England R&D Center. Teachers can learn to use Kodu in the classroom and kids can practice important skills while building their own Kodu video game!”
In addition to the Kodu Kamp for Educators on November 9, the software giant will also host another Kodu Kamp event, this time around for grades 4-6 students on November 18.
At this time, registration for Kodu Kamp is opened, and the Redmond company is encouraging teachers to sign up for the event.
“Kodu Game Lab is a free, simple to use visual programming language from Microsoft designed to teach children how to make video games while practicing important skills,” Thompson added.
“It introduces the logic and problem solving of programming without the complexity. Kodu builds real world skills while having fun by enabling students to build video games that require them to analyze problems, structure their logic and tell their story.”
Kodu continues to be in Beta stage at this point in time, with development efforts continuing.
Xbox and Windows users alike can download the visual programming solution and start building games without writing a single line of code.
Kodu is available for download here.