Dr Who is a sci fi hero to a great many kids and not so kid like techies. What could be more logical than to get him, and everyone's favourite killing machine, the daleks to teach programming and all cleverly disguised as a game. 

But, while Dr Who travels the universe in his time machine, the Tardis, and has a worldwide following, the BBC's new game designed to teach kids programming skills is strictly off limits outside the UK.

OK, if you are a hacker it's not difficult to get to play The Doctor and the Dalek, a browser based game with a mission to introduce children to computing skills.

It just seems perverse that having made a game that could be played anywhere by anybody the BBC imposes its usual licencing restrictions.

Voiced by Peter Capaldi, the current Doctor the game is released today, October 22, 2014, as part of the BBC's "Make It Digital" initiative aimed at getting more young people into computer coding - something that is getting global attention with Code.org's push to introduce coding to 100 Million with this year's Hour of Code.

The game is aimed at 6 to 12 year olds, corresponding fairly well with the UK primary school population and features a Dalek who wants help. It takes the form of a platform games with eight challenges that require players to solve puzzles and construct increasingly sophisticated programming snippets that provide the Dalek with extra capabilities such as force fields, weapons and flight. 

Is this a sensible thing to do?

Generally the Doctor is trying to outwit the Daleks who are out to conquer the world?

Well in this scenari we have encountered a friendly Dalek - could it be the one in a recent episode? 

The coding challenges to far extend to repeat blocks and if statements with Boolean Logic promised for next year when we can expect the sequel.

More Information

Doctor Who game to demystify computer science for children

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