If you are interested in game design then a good place to start is with a free application called Kodu. This is a visual programming language and games lab environment which allows students from Second Level upwards to design and build three dimensional games using either a PC or an XBox and XBox controller.  When using an application such as Kodu learners can begin to learn the core concepts of computer science within the context of a project which includes narrative writing, design and maths.  Kodu was developed in the Microsoft Research Labs and is completely free to download and use.

If you are interested in submitting an entry to the Kodu Kup then full details are available here.

Scottish teachers can also access class sets of 20 Xbox controllers for the PC that can be used to create games in Kodu from Education Scotland. These are accessible form the CPDConsolarium community in Glow. Please do bear in mind that that loaning equipment from us means that you undertake to share your experience and practice in using the equipment.

There are also some tutorial videos for Kodu in the Consolarium Glow group as well as other further information about the Kodu cup which is accessible via these links:

• teacher’s pack
• teacher created YouTube tutorial channel
• teacher created lesson plans
• Dedicated Facebook page
• Dedicated Twitter account

Please do let us know if you plan to submit an entry to this years competition. Good luck!