Learning Checks

Learning checks are short quizzes or activities designed to assess students’ understanding of key concepts covered in the workshops. Each section below is tied to a specific workshop — try the learning check after completing that workshop to see how much you remember!

Tech Fundamentals Learning Check

After completing the Tech Fundamentals workshop

Do you understand how computers work, the difference between hardware and software, and basic command line operations? What command would you use to list files in a directory? What command would you use to change directories?

JavaScript Basics Learning Check

After completing the JavaScript Basics workshop

Can you create variables in JavaScript, use different data types, and display output using console.log? How would you concatenate two strings? Can you write a simple program that stores user input and displays a personalized message?

Try to run the basics-fixme.js file and fix any errors you encounter! Pay attention to the output from Node.js, especially what line number it says the problem is in. Remember that to run a JavaScript file using Node.js, you would use the command node basics-fixme.js in your terminal, making sure you are in the correct directory. Or you can press F5 in VS Code.

Interactive HTML + JavaScript Learning Check

After completing the Interactive HTML + JavaScript workshop

Can you use document.querySelector() to find an element on a page? Do you know the difference between reading .value from an input and reading .textContent from a paragraph? Can you add an event listener that responds when a user types in a text box?

Think about these questions:

  • What’s the difference between using "#title" and ".title" as a selector?
  • If you want to update a preview every time someone types, which event should you listen for — "click", "change", or "input"?
  • If an element has the classes "message-preview theme-blue" and you want to switch to green, how do you avoid losing the "message-preview" class?
  • What does .trim() do to a string, and why is it useful when reading user input?

Python Coding Introduction Learning Check

After completing the Python Coding Introduction workshop

Can you create variables in Python, use print() and input(), and write simple if/else decisions? Do you know what an f-string is and how to use .lower() for comparing text?

Think about these questions:

  • What does input() always return — a string, a number, or a boolean?
  • What’s the difference between "Hello, {name}" and f"Hello, {name}"?
  • If a player types "Left" and your code checks choice == "left", will it match? How would you fix it?
  • What’s wrong with this line: treasure + 1? (Hint: where does the new value go?)

Advanced Python Coding Learning Check

After completing the Advanced Python Coding workshop

Can you define a class with __init__, create methods that use self, and work with lists and dictionaries? Do you understand how to save and load data with JSON?

Think about these questions:

  • What’s wrong with def take_damage(amount): inside a class? What parameter is missing?
  • Why does return health > 0 fail inside a method, but return self.health > 0 works?
  • If you set self.inventory = None in __init__, what happens when you try to call self.inventory.append("sword")? What should the default be instead?
  • Can you save a Python function to a JSON file? Why or why not?
  • What does the in keyword do differently for lists vs. dictionaries?

Game Engine Tools (Godot) Learning Check

After completing the Game Engine Tools workshop

Do you understand how Godot organizes a game using nodes and scenes? Can you read GDScript and spot common mistakes in animation and movement code?

Think about these questions:

  • What’s the difference between a node and a scene in Godot?
  • Match each node type to its purpose:
    • CharacterBody2D — ?
    • Area2D — ?
    • CollisionShape2D — ?
    • Label — ?
  • If your animation is called "move" in the editor but your code says play("Move"), will it work? Why not?
  • What’s the difference between _process() and _physics_process()? Which one should you use for player movement?
  • If the player is moving left (velocity.x < 0), should sprite.flip_h be true or false? Make sure you think about which way your image is facing in the animation.

Video Game Design: Mechanics and Logic Learning Check

After completing the Video Game Design - Mechanics and Logic workshop

Can you identify game mechanics, explain how games teach players new abilities, and describe what makes a mechanic feel good?

Think about these questions:

  • Pick a game you’ve played recently. Name three mechanics (actions the player can do).
  • What is progressive discovery? Describe an example from a game where you learned a new ability by finding it during exploration.
  • What is gating? Give an example of an area in a game that you couldn’t access until you had the right ability or item.
  • Name two types of feedback a game might give you when you collect an item (think: visual, audio, text, controller vibration).
  • Design challenge: How would you introduce a “wall jump” mechanic to a player without using a text tutorial?

Sound Design and Foley Learning Check

After completing the Sound Design and Foley workshop

Can you describe what Foley is, explain why layering matters, and think about how sound tells a story?

Think about these questions:

  • What is Foley? How is it different from using a sound effects library?
  • Why do sound designers layer multiple recordings together instead of using just one sound?
  • If you needed to create the sound of footsteps on gravel, what everyday objects could you use?
  • What does synchronization mean in sound design, and why does it matter?
  • You’re creating sounds for a 10-second clip of a rainstorm. List three individual sounds you would record and layer together.

AI Playground for Kids Learning Check

After completing the AI Playground for Kids workshop

Can you write an effective prompt, spot problems in AI-generated code, and explain why testing AI output matters?

Think about these questions:

  • What’s wrong with the prompt: “Make me a game”? How would you improve it to get better results?
  • You ask an AI to build a calculator app and it gives you code. What should you do before trusting that code?
  • The AI generates a program but one feature doesn’t work. Should you start over with a new prompt or try to fix just that part? Why?
  • Why is it important to build small (one feature at a time) when working with AI, instead of asking for everything at once?
  • Is AI output always correct? Name one thing you should always check before using AI-generated content.