Ruby for Beginners - Level 3 Course

The Ruby for Beginners - Level 3 Course teaches this dynamic, open source programming language. Ruby is a cross-platform, object-oriented programming language available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Unix, and many other operating systems, and is ideally suited to the development interactive applications and games. Ruby views everything it encounters and interacts with as an object and is an interpreted language, which means it is executed by an interpreter at run-time, allowing you to make changes to your Ruby scripts and then immediately run them without having to go through a compilation process, like so many other programming languages.

We start by demonstrating how to install the Windows version of Ruby and we progress slowly but surely by writing small programs that demonstrate each new concept or technique, moving on to more advanced programs usually in the form of an interesting game. The Ruby interpreter, together with the Gosu graphical gaming library and the Chipmunk physics engine, are available completely free of charge for all major platforms, and can be freely distributed.

On successful completion of the course, students will receive the Distance Learning Centre Python for Beginners Diploma with feedback and analysis of your completed work, as well as an Open Awards Quality Endorsed Unit Course Certificate.

Ruby has an easy-to-understand syntax, which makes it a perfect beginners' language and, using proven learn-by-example techniques, we take you step-by-step through the language by introducing you to a number of interesting games, such as the "guess the number" and hangman games, building on your knowledge progressively to produce more complex games, like the Hungry Caterpillar and Galaxy War games, and cumulating with the difficult-to-master Twelve puzzle game and the scintillating Escape platform game, which includes brilliant graphics, music, sound effects, and great animation.

Based on the proven "learn by example” principle which, as the name implies, provides real-world examples to illustrate a particular topic or technique, the courses are delivered through our on-line training portal via a standard web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or Safari.

The lesson notes are delivered through slides giving you the required information to work through each lesson and there are student files you will download to work on so you are putting into practice what you are learning. You will also be supported by a personal tutor who is available to provide feedback on your work at any time throughout the period of study.

Students should have: a working knowledge of using text editors or word processors; A basic understanding of your computer's operating system; A working knowledge of your email software and the ability to attach files to an email; A basic knowledge of file zipping software such as WinZip or 7-Zip; and some experience of downloading and installing software packages from the web.

Although Ruby is available for other operating systems as well as Windows, the installation and running instructions are for the Windows operating system. All other software is provided with the course. Installer files for Ruby, the Ruby Development Kit, and Notepad++ are included in the course materials.

You can start this course at any time, and you would be registered for a one-year period. You also have access to a personal tutor who can be contacted by email. Your tutor is available to assist with any queries and to mark your assignments for the Awarding Body.

As the course is self-study, you can complete it as quickly as you like. Support extensions are available if students do not complete the course within the one-year period.

You will be assessed on the completed assignments contained in the training programme. The coursework will consists of individual practical programming assignments that can be sent to your course tutor by email or by post on completion of your training.

On successful completion of this course students will receive our Ruby for Beginners Diploma with feedback on your work and providing the assignments have been completed to the required standards students will also receive a Level 3 Open Awards Quality Endorsed Unit Course Certificate with 8 Open Awards Credits.

The completion of this course alone does not lead to an Ofqual regulated qualification but may be used as evidence of knowledge and skills towards regulated qualifications in the future. To this end the learning outcomes of the course have been benchmarked at Level 3 against level descriptors published by Ofqual, to indicate the depth of study and level of difficulty involved in successful completion by the learner.

You can find further information on qualifications/certificates and their levels on the Ofqual's level descriptors page.

The certification is issued through Open Awards. Open Awards are an Awarding Body Organisation approved by Ofqual. Set up in 1981, Open Awards (Previously the North West Region of the National Open College Network - OCNNW) have been in business for over 30 years and are a not for profit organisation and a registered charity.