Hatch Studio JS software assesses computer science skills and coding skills while having fun.
Each project helps students progress through multiple learning levels. Each project also offers three coding levels:
In Hatch Studio students read and complete projects that are presented as requirements (word problems). Early projects have answers that are typically short: one to three components; a component is similar to the idea of a paragraph in language arts. We aim to have excellence in production one component at a time in the same way that young students focus on writing sentences and paragraphs before writing full essays.
Students who are new to computer programming begin by breaking down a Hatch Studio project to the Type-What-You-See coding level, but as they complete independent thought work (called Challenges), they move up learning levels and also begin to do work at more demanding coding levels (Pseudocode; English & English-by-Component). To the left, you can see what this looks like in our IDE (Integrated Development Environment).
The learning levels represents incrementally more difficult work and moves students toward more demanding coding levels where they do more independent work. Students can also code in Python in the Hatch Studio - Python.
This is the hardest level of coding and writing in it shows a deep understanding of computer programming. In order to be successful at this coding level, students must go through an inquiry process and use numerous programming skills and competencies.
As the 2nd hardest level of coding it requires synthesis, understanding of computational logic and computational thinking, but is mostly bereft of syntax & vocabulary; an excellent tool for planning and collaboration (used in industry). It is written as blocks: similar to a paragraph and the development of arguments in paragraphs.
Type-What-You-See (TWYS) is the easiest level at which students work. It's similar to the tracing activities done when learning letters, numbers; like copying notes. It provides opportunities to observe and draw conclusions and students do independent thought work when they complete Challenges.