Activity
CodeQuest for low vision: Large print paper game pieces
Out of this world coding concept activities geared for low vision students!
Your mission is to travel through space helping Astronaut Tommy as he searches for aliens! The CodeQuest app is an accessible maze-type coding logic app. APH offers this free iOS app along with the following downloadable tactile graphics: tactile graphic embosser, embosser with .brf file, and 3D printer files for the CodeQuest characters and the arrow game pieces.
Editor’s Note: As of 12/2/22, the APH tactile graphics files are missing from APH’s CodeQuest page. You can find the the 3D printer files and laser cutter board files on the Paths to Technology post, Teaching the CodeQuest App to students who are visually impaired.
Large print paper version
What about students with low vision who need manipulative resources to support learning coding logic concepts? TSVI extraordinaire, Jessica McDowell, has created large print paper files of the CodeQuest mazes along with the arrow game pieces! Jessica shared that she created the large print paper version for a visual hands-on learner to help with his orientation to the screen. This large print version enables him to inspect the elements closely in isolation and to use the manipulatives.
[Image 1: iPad displaying CodeQuest maze and corresponding paper copy printed and pieces cut out]
Using large print paper
For hands-on learning, the student can place the corresponding large print paper arrows on the paper maze.
- Arrows cards are color coded: Purple is right arrow, orange is left arrow, blue is up arrow, red is down arrow
- The black line indicates the bottom of the paper arrow
- To make the paper arrows (and game board) sturdier, adhere to foam board.
Teaching Hint: Be sure to use spatial terminology: right, left, down and up. Also incorporate grid concepts such as rows and columns.
Note: The first four images below are CodeQuest’s Planet Kratos Level 3, a 3 row x 5 column grid. The black grid squares are “open spaces” and the grey grid squares are “unbreakable walls”. The black squares form a “T” shape: All of row; row 2, column 3 and row 3 column 3.
[Image 2: iPad displaying CodeQuest maze and corresponding paper copy with correct arrow cards showing the astronaut’s route.]
Game Options
Option 1
Place corresponding arrow cards in sequenced in a row below the paper game board. This closely resembles the digital version with a sequenced row of arrow cards.
[Image 3: iPad displaying CodeQuest maze and a row of corresponding arrow cards (without the large print game board]
Option 2
Using the 3D printed characters, have the student physically move the astronaut character through the maze to his space ship. With the game levels that include an alien, the 3D alien can also be placed on the game board. Students will have a ‘blast’ using the 3D characters!
Note: If you do not have the related 3D characters, substitute any little character/animal object!
[Image 4: iPad displaying CodeQuest maze, large print paper maze with 3D printed characters and stacks of available arrow cards on the side.]
To check and build movement and spatial concepts before (or after!) using the game board, the student can layout the arrow cards on the table depicting the correct spatial relationships. (Example: When placing a right arrow card, the next card placed would be to the right of the original right arrow. When using a down arrow card, the next card placed would be below the original down arrow. The arrow cards are NOT placed in one row!)
Once the arrow cards are placed in the correct spatial layout, the student can move the astronaut through space by hopping from arrow card to card calling out the correct spatial term as he goes (right, left, down and up). He can even visit his alien friend!
[Image 5: CodeQuest paper arrows laid out spatially (not in a row) with The 3D astronaut on the first arrow and the 3D alien at the end of the route.]
CodeQuest large print resources
- CodeQuest in the App Store
- CodeQuest Arrows and Boards docx (download)
- CodeQuest Arrows and Boards pdf (download)
Note: The large print game boards are for Planet Kratos Levels 1 – 6.
Related resources
- CodeQuest: A free APH app! post
- Teaching the CodeQuest App to students who are visually impaired post (Video tutorials on teaching CodeQuest with VoiceOver running – includes teaching important power user tech skills for students who are blind/low vision!)
- Learn how to code being a blind kid: Video #1 CodeQuest post (A student demonstrates the beta version of CodeQuest)
- We Code, Too! Part 3: CodeQuest Lesson for Students who are Blind or Low Vision
- Coding Posts Summary post (An organized list of all coding-related posts on Paths to Technology)
Written by Diane Brauner
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