TEACHING KIDS TO CODE

By Nancy Hecker

What is coding?

Ryan Seacrest explains: http://www.today.com/video/today/

52630136

What are the advantages to teaching kids to code?

It is fun! Requires problem-solving, creativity, and

communication skills Utilizes exploration and play Allows and requires students to make

decisions Appeals to a variety of age groups Prepares the way for career opportunities

Daisy the Dinosaur

iPad app Free For pre-k to third grade Manipulate daisy to work through

challenges

Move the Turtle

iPhone/iPad $2.99 For pre-k to third grade Manipulate the turtle through challenges

Hopscotch

iPad Free For students ages 8-12 Kids select characters or create text

objects and manipulate them by dragging and droppings method blocks

Scratch

Web-based Free For students ages 8-16 Develop animations, interactive stories,

and games through drag and drop code blocks

Creations can be shared on the site

Stencyl

Windows, Mac, Lunux Free Similar to Scratch but games can be

published to every platform (iOS, Android, Flash, HTML5, Windows, and Mac)

App Inventor

Web-based Free For high school students or older Uses drag and drop coding blocks to

create an Android App

Alice

Windows, Mac, Linux Free For older students 3D environment Kids can see their code behind the

projects in the software

Codeacademy and Khan Academy

Web-based Free Middle school students and older Students can see the changes they make

on a split screen

Things to consider

Access Timing during the school day

References

Pinola, M. (2013). How and Why to Teach Your Kids to Code. Retrieved from http://

lifehacker.com/how-and-why-to-teach-your-kids-to-code-510588878

Salter, J. (2013). Coding for Kids: Schoolchildren learn computer programming. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/10468460/Coding-for-kids-schoolchildren-learn-computer-programming.html

Today. (2013, July 31). Nonprofit teaches kids to write computer code [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.today.com/video/today/52630136#52630136