Hour of Code - Timecraft Issues
Below are a list of issues with this years Hour of Code:
- When using python in activities, Minecraft Edu stores student solutions in such a way that when another student logins into Minecraft Edu on the same computer and starts Timecraft in their account the same solutions are present even though it is a fresh instance of the world.
- In the Jazz activity students can collect the trumpet without solving the puzzle. If they get close and don't use the "collect all" command it will look like they collected the trumpet but not count as a success.
- Python has a reset activity right next to the run button. Block based doesn't have one unless you use the talk device. This causes students too not find solutions but to try and solve the problem by inserting one instruction at a time and running till they trigger the reward.
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Well, Daniel Jones I agree that those things do happen in Hour of Code. I am not sure they are errors, but they might seem unfamiliar.
For example, the trumpet looks like it is picked up when the agent is standing atop the thing, but until you use the collect all command, it is still there. IOW if you were to walk back and forth, I am pretty sure it would still be there. It only gets picked up when you collect it, and that's when you see that exciting "Congratulations!" screen.
It is also true that only one instance of Hour of Code saves. I have to delete the previous game to have additional students use the same account. Not too much to do, though. Just manage > delete. =]
I will check #3 out. =] But I use the strategy of step by step coding with my students all of the time! As they gain confidence, they choose to create longer code sections on their own, in my experience.
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Debbie,
Thanks for getting back to me.
- I have seen multiple instance where students have collected the trumpet(or at least it is no longer visible) but because their program doesn't end on the correct spot it doesn't trigger the completion.
- I know this a bigger issue with how Minecraft Education works but it would be nice if students were logging into their own accounts that it would separate those from the other saves, that way when a student logs in on that computer he/she only see saves they have made in using their login.
- The reset but is so valuable for trying again. I have seen multiple students get frustrated since every time they run their program it doesn't start from the beginning like they have experienced in many other coding environments (Scratch, code.org, etc.)
- One new thing that I have noticed that is a little confusing for students is that they use the talk device and press buttons with the same mouse button. I have had multiple students struggle with the fact that they went to click a button and instead they got the message "no activities are available at this time". This is because they missed the hitting the button and instead activated the talk device instead. Once again I know this is a fundamental part of how Minecraft works so I just wanted you to know and see if there are solutions.
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On your last point, I also have seen student be confused when they tried to click on a button - but they were standing too far away, and as a result they did activate the talk device and get the "no activities" message you mention. I also agree that this is confusing, and I prepare my students in advance for this because of it.
Thanks for all of the feedback!
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Thanks for your responses, I have been identifying these issues and helping students work through them. One other thing that would be awesome is an option to skip the intro and an option to jump to a specific puzzle so a teacher like myself could provide direct instruction without having to navigate the game to do it.
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Thank you both for this discussion! I'll make sure to pass on to the team.
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Is the issue with only one instance of the Hour of Code world being saved still a problem? I have students working on this and some of them have noticed that when they enter specific time splits they don't get any messages and code builder tells them that they have no current tasks to complete. They can't get out of that area and I told them to avoid that time split for the time being. Will this issue be resolved if I have them delete and import a new instance of the Hour of Code? Or do I need to have every student who has this Hour of Code world saved on that computer delete the file?
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I would recommend having only the students experiencing the issue delete their world file. Other user's files should not affect the current user's world file and experience. It is possible it will resolve the issue but not guaranteed.
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