Game Design
in JavaScript
High School Students learn programming concepts with an emphasis on creating game applications in JavaScript
Introductory JavaScript Programming
Full-Year Curriculum
Designed for High School Students
Focus on Game Development
100% Web-Based — No Installations Needed
Hands-On, Project-Based Learning
High School Game Design Course
through the exciting world of game development.
This course provides an introduction to computer science programming concepts with an emphasis on creating game applications in JavaScript.
The entire curriculum is available in the online CodeMonkey IDE and no additional software is
needed to access the course.
The course is a full-year course designed for high school students that are new to coding. No
prerequisite coding experience is needed.
CodeMonkey uses JavaScript as the primary language for the Game Design course, offering
students a comprehensive learning experience through interactive lessons, guided exercises,
and multimedia content.
This curriculum is designed to foster an interest in computer programming and provide the skills and confidence necessary to continue further in the field.
- Students see their code come to life instantly
- Students understand abstract concepts through interactive feedback
- Students build a portfolio of real, playable projects
Course Syllabus
Introduction to JavaScript
- 9 lessons
In this unit, students will learn the foundational skills for JavaScript, including basic input/output, variables and variable
types, mathematical calculations, and using the math library.
- How does a program interact with a user through input and output?
- What are variables in computer science and what variable types does JavaScript use?
- How can you perform mathematical calculations and utilize the JavaScript Math library?
Conditional Statements
- 7 lessons
- What is a boolean expression?
- How can boolean expressions combined with if statements control the flow of a program?
- How can the use of nested and/or compound сonditional statements enhance a computer program?
Introduction to Graphics in JavaScript
- 7 lessons
- How do you create basic shapes on the JavaScript canvas?
- How can you add text and images to your graphics?
- How are colors handled in computer science and how can you create custom colors in JavaScript?
Iteration
- 9 lessons
In this unit, students will learn the basics of iteration, including while loops, for loops, and nested loops. They will apply these
concepts in both a text and a graphics environment.
- What is iteration and how can it be used in a computer program?
- How can loops enhance our graphic design programs?
- How can nested loops be used to create more complex programs?
Functions
- 8 lessons
In this unit, students will explore the use of functions and how they can be used to simplify programming. Students will apply
top-down decomposition to their graphics programs.
- What is a function and how can it be used to simplify a program?
- How does the use of input parameters and return values expand upon the usefulness of functions?
- How can principles of top-down decomposition be used to create a better program design?
Animation and Events
- 7 lessons
In this unit, students will learn about different types of events and basic animation in JavaScript graphics. Students will learn both keyboard and mouse events.
- How does basic animation work in JavaScript?
- What is an event and how can keyboard and mouse events be used to control the graphics.
- How can events be used to enhance game design?
Arrays
- 7 lessons
In this unit, students will learn about arrays in JavaScript, including both 1D and 2D arrays. They will then be able to apply these to their game design elements in graphics.
- What is an array in JavaScript?
- How do you access elements in an array?
- How do you add and remove from an array?
- How are 2D arrays used?
Objects
- 6 lessons
In this unit, students will learn about objects in JavaScript and how to access object data using the key/values pairs.
- How do objects differ from arrays?
- How do you create and access data within an object?
- How can objects be used to simplify
programs in game design?
Advanced Animation
- 4 lessons
In this unit, students will explore additional ways to create animation where they can control more aspects of the screen. They will then apply these techniques to make more complex game elements.
The concepts in this unit may be challenging for some students. If you feel that your students would struggle with
these lessons, they can be considered optional and you can complete the final project without them.
- How can frame rate be changed in animation?
- How can you create a scrolling screen?
- How can you use image data to determine a collision event?
Creating Games in JavaScript
- 3 lessons
In this unit, students will learn basic principles of game design and the software development lifecycle. They will then apply
these skills to create a final game project.
- What are the elements of a successful game?
- How does the software development lifecycle aid you in developing your game?
- How can you apply the skills you learned in this course to a final game project?
Final Exam
- 1 lesson
In this unit, students will complete a final exam consisting of 25 multiple choice questions. The exam covers content from
units 1 – 10, excluding unit 9.
- Demonstrate mastery of course content
- Teacher guides and course explanations
- Exercises and portfolio projects
- Interactive lessons and Q&A’s
The CodeMonkey Game Design course is delivered entirely online. All lessons, activities, and coding exercises take place in our built-in JavaScript IDE (Integrated Development Environment). There’s:
✅ No additional software to install
✅ No complex setup process.
Students simply log in and start coding.
Want to Learn More about our Game Design Course?
Give your students the tools to build the future.
Enroll in CodeMonkey’s Game Design in JavaScript course and unlock the exciting world of computer science — one game at a time.
- Course explanations, teacher guides and Q&As
- Classroom slides, Interactive lessons and offline activities
- Exercises and Portfolio projects
- Student review questions
Award-winning Computer Science Program
2023
i-Learn
First Place-Reader's Choice Computer Science
2024
Edtech Breakthrough
Provider of the Year
2024
Best of STEM
Educator's Pick-AI Curriculum for Teaching and Learning
2025
Edtech Impact
Top Teaching Efficiency Tool
FAQ
CodeMonkey, a leading game-based learning platform, teaches students eight years and older the fundamental principles of computer programming. Founded in 2014, CodeMonkey products are designed to maximize engagement and user experience to introduce students to foundational computer programming skills. Using real programming languages and scalability for all learning environments, CodeMonkey provides a turnkey solution for educators by offering basic training, management and reporting tools, automatic grading and detailed tutorials for teachers and real time feedback for students.
No experience is needed.
No experience is needed.
These courses are designed to be flexible! While they are perfect for teacher-led instruction, they can also be taken as self-guided courses. Students can move through the material at their own pace, making it ideal for independent learners.
CodeMonkey High School Computer Science courses are typically offered to 9th through 12th graders.
