Four lesson Python programming using gamification to engage

This has been a hugely successful unit, and my year 9 computer scientists have thoroughly enjoyed the competition, and team work. It has been based upon the theory of gamification, using game elements in the classroom. The learners need to have some python skills, but there are three levels of challenge in each lesson, and the idea is that they choose, and upgrade if they have time and knowledge. At its highest level, skills used are IF, looping, concatenation, tuples, global variables and subroutines. Learners get points for working code, and add an image to the game board. I did this with a display board in the classroom, and stuck the ‘prizes’ to the wall (there is an image). It is not essential to do that, but it does make it visually more appealing. Enjoy watching your learners race around helping one another and encouraging those who are weaker at coding to learn the more tricky aspects of coding.