One consistent request from our latest Fractus Learning Course, ‘Programming for Kids – How to Make Coding Fun‘, has been for a consolidated list of all the resources and tools we used. Well, rather than bundling it up as part of the training package, I thought it could be a bit more useful as an article that anyone can use and share.
Covering games, exercises, apps and more, the links below focus on giving educators the tools they need to direct, guide and inspire student to code. After speaking to a number of teachers, it was decided this was a much more practical focus than going into the details and syntax of specific languages.
Preparation
This section focuses on the resources and tools to use before a single line of code is written. These are offline and online resources that will help your students start to think like a programmer and begin to see the fun and creativity that coding can generate.
Mindset and Motivation
1. Computer Science Unplugged
Great site with a whole host of resources for coding without computers. Perfect for nurturing the logical mindset required for coding.
2. Computer Science Unplugged Classroom Resources
PDF copy of the twelve most-used Unplugged activities, with easy instructions for use in the classroom.
3. Minecraft
A brilliant game being used in classrooms around the world. Allows students to create and collaborate in digital worlds, building both an appreciation for programming as well as the problem solving skills required to code. For more ideas, check out Using Minecraft to Engage and Challenge Your Class.
4. MinecraftEdu
Minecraft discounts for education.
Sketching and Drawing
For a bit more background on using sketching and drawing in the classroom, take a look at a recent post, Creating ‘Paper Apps’ to Introduce Your Kids to App Development.
5. Tablet Sketchpad
Printable PDF tablet template that can be used by students to sketch app ideas and flow.
6. Phone Sketchpad
Printable PDF phone template.
7. Browser Sketchpad
Printable PDF web browser template.
8. POP
Very cool app that lets you turn sketched drawings into interactive apps on your phone.
9. Protosketch
Similar concept to POP, allowing you to take photos of sketches and create interactive app samples.
10. Launch
A more involved and complex prototyping tool, Launch is a better option for getting serious about trying app ideas.
Before the Code
Before launching a text-editor and getting knee-high in semi-colons, there are a number of design and logic exercises that you can work on with your students. This will make sure they don’t feel too out of their depth once coding starts and also show that there is more to programming than just learning a language.
Creating Mockups
11. Balsamiq
One of the the best (paid) mockup tools for both Windows and Mac.
12. Free Keynote and PowerPoint Mockup Templates
Template files for both PowerPoint and Keynote to allow students to create mockup programs using slides. A very simple, free and fun exercise.
13. Mockup Builder
Free online and desktop mockup creation tool.
14. wireframe.cc
Very clean and simple online mockup tool.
15. Moqups
Free online drag-n-drop mockup tool.
Programming Concepts with Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are a surprisingly simple way to introduce mathematical and logical thinking to students. With basic formulas all fairly similar between the below applications, students will learn more than just calculations.
16. Microsoft Excel
I think we are all familiar with excel… Right?
17. Numbers for Mac
Apple’s spreadsheet application. Similar in most (functional) ways to Excel.
18. Google Drive (Sheets)
Google’s free online spreadsheet application. Great for collaboration and sharing.
Programming Languages
19. Python
20. Java
21. Ruby
22. Objective-C
23. HTML/CSS and Web
Getting Kids Set Up
Having the right tools is a huge part of making programming an enjoyable experience. Although any browser or text-editor can be used for programming, the below are the ones we recommend to make things as simple and standard as possible.
Development Browsers
24. Chrome
Google’s web browser with in-built development tools.
25. Firefox
Mozilla’s web browser with in-built development tools.
Text Editors
26. Notepad++ (Windows)
Neat, clean and lightweight text-editor for windows. Very popular within coding communities.
27. Sublime Text (Mac)
Brilliantly expandable and slick text-editor for Mac.
28. Kate (Linux)
One of the most popular of many text-editor options on Linux.
Where to Start
Unless you are an expert programmer yourself, you are going to need some help getting your kids started. With so many great options online and kids’ natural curiosity and creativity, a huge part of getting kids coding is just being able to point them in the right direction.
Resources for Kids Programming
29. Code.org
Code.org is a non-profit organisation that provides loads of great resources and tutorials to help kids get into coding.
30. Codecademy
One of the best free resources available, Codecademy has many interactive tutorials on a number of different programming languages.
31. Codeschool
More selections of online lessons in coding and programming.
32. Treehouse
Although Treehouse does charge for their courses (you can do a 7-day free trial), they do have some of the best material available. Used by companies such as Twitter, Square and Airbnb, it’s one of the most trusted and well-rounded platforms for beginner and advanced coders.
Languages Specifically for Kids
33. Scratch
One of the best (if not the best) visual programming languages for kids.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7CYl_Lq2hE
34. Alice
Great way to get kids creating in 3D.
Apps/Games That Make Programming Fun
35. Cargo-Bot
Created using Codea, Cargo-Bot is a fun game that requires kids to builds short programs to stack cargo.
36. Lightbot
Create fun visual programs to move our little robot towards his goal.
37. Move the Turtle
Write short blocks of visual code (similar to Scratch) to navigate this little dude around his world.
38. CodeMonkey
Use text-based coding in a real world programming language to help this little monkey collect bananas. A great online coding game for kids, students and schools.
Coding on the iPad
39. Tynker
Very visual and fun way to get kids coding on the iPad.
40. Hopscotch
Create animations and games using the familiar blocks of code concept.
41. Codea
A lot more involved, Codea is the best way to create ‘real’ programs on the iPad.
Building Apps
42. MIT App Inventor
The best way to get started building apps for Android.
43. Developing iOS Apps
Link to Apple’s iOS development resources. Definitely for more advanced kids.
Building 3D/2D Games – Unity
44. Unity
The industry standard for creating 3D games, Unity is still simple and visual enough for beginners to build some pretty cool stuff.
45. Unity for Education
Educations discounts and packages for Unity being used in schools and colleges.
Next Steps
Once your kids start to progress with their coding, they will hit walls (this is just what happens for all programmers). What is important is that they know where and how to search to solve their problems. Here are some the best places to start.
Online Communities and Forums
46. Stack Overflow
The holy grail of coding forums. If you have a problem, chances are it has been solved and documented on Stack Overflow.
47. Scratch Forum
Specific forum just for programmers using Scratch.
48. Python Forum
One of many language specific forums.
Getting Involved in Computer Clubs
49. CoderDojo
A rapidly spreading movement to start coding clubs around the world. Find one or start your own.
50. Codecademy After-school Programming
Codecademy sponsored coding clubs for schools.
51. Code Club World
Huge network of computer and coding clubs around the globe.
Coding Hardware – Raspberry Pi
52. Raspberry Pi
This affordable, credit-card sized computer is a great way to get kids started integrating their programs into hardware and robotics.
53. Pi Quick Start Guide
The official getting started guide for Raspberry Pi in PDF form.
54. Ten Awesome Raspberry Pi Projects
Just a taste of the amazing things you can make with a Pi.
Recommended Books
55. 8 Books to Get Kids Programming
Well, hopefully that list will get you on the way to teaching coding with confidence. And, if your school is looking to put code into the classroom, or just looking at different PD options, make sure to check out our Bitesize PD Program or some of our latest articles on programming for kids.
What resources have you found useful when teaching your kids to code? Let us know your best links in the comments below.
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, Waag Society under Creative Commons.