Integration of technology in learning makes things easier, widens the number of opportunities and increases our knowledge and skill banks.
It’s true that the number of skills you possess plays a major role in surviving in the competitive 21st century. And “coding” is surely one such essential skill.
Below is the list of companies that are helping us teach kids to code from the early days so that they can stand out.
Check it out!
1. Code.org
Code.org is a non-profit foundation dedicated to growing computer programming education. Launched in 2013, this company is expanding access to computer science, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. With a vision that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science they believe that computer science should be part of core curriculum, alongside other courses such as biology, chemistry or algebra. After launching in 2013, the Code.org organized the Hour of Code campaign – which has introduced over 100 million students to computer science to date – and partnered with 70 public school districts nationwide to expand computer science programs.
Various programs that they offer for kids to learn to code are:
— Star Wars: Building a Galaxy with Code (ages 6-10)
— MineCraft Hour of Code: Use blocks to code (ages 6-10)
— Code with Anna and Elsa (ages 8-10) and a lot more.
The best thing about code.org offering various programs for kids to learn is that the programs are engaging and are in form of interactive games as well to keep kids interested and involved throughout.
2. Scratch
Created specifically for 8-to-16-year-olds. Originally a multi-platform download, Scratch is now web-based and more accessible. Students use a visual programming language made up of bricks that they drag to the workspace to animate sprites. Various types of bricks trigger loops, create variables, initiate interactivity, play sounds, and more. Teaching guides, communities and other resources available on the website will help instructors get started. You don’t have to be a programming expert to introduce Scratch – you can learn right along with the students!
3. Codecademy
Codecademy is an online interactive platform that offers free coding classes in 9 different programming languages including Python, Java, PHP, JavaScript, and Ruby, as well as markup languages HTML and CSS.
This interactive website is very user-friendly and teaches kids basic code through fun and simple exercises that feel like games. Know more on “How kids can learn to code.”
4. Hackety Hack
After a quick download to your computer, kids can learn Ruby, an open-source programming language that’s easy and intuitive. Hackety Hack provides clear, fairly easy-to-understand programming instruction. Users learn general
Programming tips and find out how to write a few types of coding instructions using Ruby. Kids probably won’t be able to create their own website after using the site or application, but the information they learn can be used to help them understand a little bit about programming — and enhance their reading, logic, and other critical thinking abilities.
5. Code Monster from Crunchzilla
Particularly good for kids, Code Monster features two adjacent boxes. One displays code, the other shows what the code does. As you play around with the code with some help from a prompt, you learn what each command does.
Code Avengers is another great educational web platform that introduces users to HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. These three platforms are used to build games, web pages, and apps. The layout of Code Avengers is clean and aesthetically pleasing. It just makes sense. While some parts are a little saturated with text, for the most part the lessons are easy to follow. As per the introduction page, each lesson is divided into 5 tasks. One awesome feature of the Code Avengers platform is its Hints feature.
7. LightBot
It integrates fun gameplay with coding lessons, teaching principles and concepts of coding, such as if-then statements. Best of all, it is a fun and addictive game format. While the game doesn’t teach a specific language per se, such as Java or Python, it does teach the abstract ideas of coding that may be difficult to understand. These ideas are common throughout different programming languages.
8. Code Combat
A web platform that offers some pretty amazing features. The graphics on Code Combat game are amazing. It is very clear that the developers of this course placed a strong emphasis on the teach ability of the game as well as the gameplay aspect. Second, users produce lines of code in order to move their characters through mazes and in battle. Third, Code Combat has provided a multiplayer platform wherein users can go head-to-head against other players.
9. Tynker
Tynker is a great tool to teach programming. The tool features starter lesson plans, classroom management tools, and an online showcase of student-created programs. Lessons are self-paced and simple for students to follow without assistance.
10. Fractus Learning
Created for educators and parents who want to start their kids coding, this jam-packed1 hour online course, focuses on the tools, techniques and ideas you can use to inspire fun and creativity in programming. Covering games, exercises, apps and more, the course steers away from code syntax or the conventions of any specific language and keeps the focus on making coding fun.
GameStar Mechanic teaches kids, ages 7-14, to design their own video games. Your students will love completing different self-paced quests while learning to build game levels. The site integrates critical thinking and problem-solving tasks.
Which other coding resources do you know of?
