Spelling Snake - Using AI to Code Educational Games

In the past I have shared about using AI for coding and I even have a blog post from about a year ago with a 1 hour deep dive video with loads of examples that you can check out.

Well a lot has changed in the last year so I wanted to share a great new AI tool that makes it easier than ever to create, play, and share educational games or simulations or other interactives.

And you don't even need to know how to code!

This tool is the new artifact window in Claude. If you are not familiar with Claude, it is an AI chatbot very similar to ChatGPT and Gemini, and can be accessed for free at claude.ai

The artifact window is a new feature that lets you see the code that Claude generates, run the code to test out your game live, and share a link with others so they can play your game.

So for my example I decided to create a spelling game. My idea was to have it be a twist on the classic snake game, but with spelling words. Now of course you can have Claude create the code for whatever you want. It can be an educational game or a simulation or an interactive activity.

See below for the 13 minute video that walks you through the entire process from start to finish. And if you create something with Claude, please send me the link so I can try out what you created.

Coding with AI for Schools

Although coding is a powerful skill, it can also be very intimidating. Thankfully generative AI tools can assist you with coding no matter what your skill level is (or isn't).

• If you have never coded in your life, you can use AI to bring your ideas to life.
• If you are learning to code, AI can help with your projects and teach you along the way.
• If you are a seasoned coder, AI can help you troubleshoot errors and discover new coding approaches.

Recently I recorded a webinar on how you can use AI to help with coding. The training is aimed a people who are brand new to coding, but hopefully it will be valuable to anyone interested in how AI can assist them in this process. Here is the description for the session:

Yes (even) You Can Code with AI!

Don't know Python from Perl? Is HTML all IDK to you? Do you think JavaScript is the handwriting on your Starbucks cup? Even if you have never written a line of code in your life, you can with AI! In this session we will see how to use tools such as Bard and ChatGPT to create code that you can use in Google Docs, Sheets, and Sites for learning games, activities, supports, time-savers, productivity helpers, and more.

See below for the recorded webinar, resource document, slideshow, and detailed directions and examples. 

Teaching Coding with Turtles

On the second day of Tech-Mas my true love gave to me… two turtle coders.

Note: This post is part of my "12 Days of Tech-Mas" series for 2017. You can see all of the posts for each day as they get released in the main post here: "12 Days of Tech-Mas 2017".

Over the last few years coding has become a much more common topic in schools. Students of all ages are learning about coding thanks to the rise of Hour of Code, STEM programs, robotics, and more.

One of the most popular coding tools for kids is Scratch from MIT . In the Scratch programming tool students use block coding to move and manipulate Scratch the cat to create games, stories, and animations.

Well you may know about the cat, but do you know about the turtle?

Back when I was a student (in the 70's and 80's) I loved computers (big surprise) and especially coding. At that time, one of the main options for coding in schools was Logo. Basically Logo was a programming tool where you wrote commands to move a "turtle" around the screen to draw pictures and learn the basics of coding. Logo was a direct influence on the development of Scratch many years later (so the turtle is actually the parent of the cat!)

This year is Logo's 50th anniversary, and with this being "Hour of Code" week, it is the perfect time to revisit one of the first programming languages ever developed specifically to teach children how to code. Below we will take a look at a brief overview of Logo, as well as two online tools for your students to learn and use Logo today.