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Hour of Code: Programming with Karel the Dog

Giving commands to a computer, which is what programming is all about, is just like giving commands to a dog. Learn how to code with Karel the Dog—a fun, accessible, and visual introduction to text or block-based programming that teaches fundamental concepts like commands and functions to beginners.

Overview & Highlights

Level
Middle School, High School
Contact Hours
1
Timeframe
Hour of Code

Course Overview

To explore the full course, click here.

MODULES - 1

  • Hour of Code: Programming with Karel the Dog

    Giving commands to a computer, which is what programming is all about, is just like giving commands to a dog. Learn how to code with Karel the Dog—a fun, accessible, and visual introduction to text or block-based programming that teaches fundamental concepts like commands and functions to beginners.


1
Lessons
2
Videos
4
Exercises
1
Challenges

Customizable Assignments

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this take?

One hour. It is an Hour of Code activity, designed to be run in a single session with no setup or follow-up.

What do students do?

Giving commands to a computer is like giving commands to a dog. Students learn to code with Karel the Dog, a visual introduction to text or block-based programming that teaches commands and functions.

Do students need any experience or an account setup?

No experience is needed; it is written for complete beginners. It covers commands and functions with Karel the Dog. The activity can be shared with students to complete by just sharing the activity link, no account set up needed. To save student work, have students make a CodeHS account, login, and then the teacher assigns the activity to an existing CodeHS section.

Can we use this outside of Computer Science Education Week?

Nothing in the course restricts it to a particular week. It is a one-hour activity that works whenever you want an introduction.

Is there a longer version?

Yes. Intro to Programming with Karel the Dog (Ace) is a 30-hour quarter course that includes programming with Karel material.