{"id":1238,"date":"2013-12-02T13:02:15","date_gmt":"2013-12-02T13:02:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/?p=1238"},"modified":"2013-12-02T13:55:47","modified_gmt":"2013-12-02T13:55:47","slug":"17-fun-tools-to-teach-kids-to-code-by-chrisbetcher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/17-fun-tools-to-teach-kids-to-code-by-chrisbetcher\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Fun Tools To Teach Kids To Code by @ChrisBetcher"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Finspiredtoeducate.net%2Finspiredtoeducate%2F17-fun-tools-to-teach-kids-to-code-by-chrisbetcher%2F&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/blockly.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1239\" title=\"blockly\" src=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/blockly-300x189.jpg\" alt=\"Blockly\" width=\"300\" height=\"189\" srcset=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/blockly-300x189.jpg 300w, http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/blockly.jpg 892w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are many benefits to teaching young people to code. \u00a0 As a musician starts learning a piece of music, \u00a0the process can be daunting. \u00a0 Musicians, however, naturally start breaking the song into parts. \u00a0 By slowly mastering small phrases, scales, chords, and patterns, the song slowly emerges from the student. \u00a0 The discipline of decomposition and persistence shows up in computer programming too.<\/p>\n<p>Chris Betcher during a talk during the <a href=\"http:\/\/k12onlineconference.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">K12 Online Conference<\/a> did a AWESOME introduction to a number of tools that help students get started with coding. \u00a0 \u00a0Mr. Betcher introduces the tools in order of learning complexity. \u00a0 \u00a0 My five year old has been playing with BeeBot and Hopscotch. \u00a0 It&#8217;s really fun to see him having fun programming. \u00a0 His survey of tools starts with teaching students basic sequencing, looping, and branching. \u00a0For advanced students, he recommends tools to help students get started with Python and Ruby.<\/p>\n<p>I also appreciate that Mr. Betcher highlights the ethos of sharing in programming. \u00a0 Since the world of technology is changing rapidly, computer professionals are constantly teaching and learning from each other. \u00a0 The act of reading code is an act of education. \u00a0 \u00a0The <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pair_programming\" target=\"_blank\">practice of pair programming<\/a> is another fantastic way to pass on the craft of code in a social and collaborative way.<\/p>\n<p>I hope you enjoy Chris Betcher&#8217;s talk!<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9gLJlBOv-I8\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sequencing, Branching, and Looping using Blocks<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/ie\/app\/bee-bot\/id500131639?mt=8\" target=\"_blank\">Beebot<\/a>: My little 5 year old has been enjoying this app. \u00a0In the game, you need to navigate a small robot through a maze. \u00a0 The player needs to issue the right sequence of movement commands(forward, backward, left, right). \u00a0 While this app is simple, it&#8217;s very fun.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/daisy-the-dinosaur\/id490514278\" target=\"_blank\">Daisy the dinosaur<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/kodable\/id577673067\" target=\"_blank\">Kodable<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Advanced Block Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/scratch.mit.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">Scratch<\/a>: MIT&#8217;s Scratch from the &#8220;Life long kindergarden&#8221; lab at MIT is amazing since it introduces fun programming features using puzzle or visual programming. \u00a0 Check out our full post on this tool <a title=\"Benefits of Teaching Kids To Code That No One Is Talking About\" href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/?p=623\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/hopscotch-coding-for-kids\/id617098629\" target=\"_blank\">Hopscotch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/code.google.com\/p\/blockly\/\" target=\"_blank\">Blockly<\/a>\u00a0: This is a great find! As a programmer, you can use this open source library to create your own visual programming environment. \u00a0 I really want to create a robot control system with this! \u00a0From a teaching stand point, it has a number of samples that your students will find fun.<\/li>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blockly-demo.appspot.com\/static\/apps\/turtle\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Turtle programming<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blockly-demo.appspot.com\/static\/apps\/maze\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Maze game<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/education.mit.edu\/starlogo\/\" target=\"_blank\">Star Logo<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Game, Apps, and Robots<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.alice.org\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Alice<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/research.microsoft.com\/en-us\/projects\/kodu\/\" target=\"_blank\">Kodu<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/gamesalad.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Game Salad<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/appinventor.mit.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">Android App Inventor<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/education.lego.com\/en-au\/lego-education-product-database\/mindstorms\/9797-lego-mindstorms-education-base-set\" target=\"_blank\">Lego Mindstorm Robo Lab<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Traditional Coding<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.codecademy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">CodeAcademy.com<\/a>: Many of my friends have enjoyed using this tool to start to learn how to code HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. \u00a0 \u00a0On each tutorial page, you read a simple concept about programming. \u00a0 On the same screen, you immediately get to apply the concept with a small exercise. \u00a0 Since you can immediately apply your knowledge, this tool is much more engaging.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.python.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Python<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/ruby4kids.com\/ruby4kids\" target=\"_blank\">Ruby for Kids<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/hackety.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Hackety.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/pythonforios.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Python for iOS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We would love to hear from you!<\/p>\n<p>Do you have a favorite tutorial for introducing code to new programmers?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related Posts<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"Benefits of Teaching Kids To Code That No One Is Talking About\" href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/?p=623\">Benefits of Teaching Kids To Code That No One Is Talking About<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"7 Reasons Why The Makers Movement Is Revolutionary\" href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/?p=942\">7 Reasons Why The Makers Movement Is Revolutionary<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"How to Build Your Mobile App using HTML\" href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/?p=849\">How to Build Your Mobile App using HTML<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Maker Camp: Free Virtual Summer Camp for Teens\" href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/?p=961\">Maker Camp: Free Virtual Summer Camp For Teens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"5 Resources To Help You Teach Kids Programming\" href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/?p=689\">5 Resources To Help You Teach Kids Programming<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"5 reasons to love Khan academy for computer science\" href=\"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/?p=202\">5 reasons to love Khan academy for computer science<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Finspiredtoeducate.net%2Finspiredtoeducate%2F17-fun-tools-to-teach-kids-to-code-by-chrisbetcher%2F&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are many benefits to teaching young people to code. \u00a0 As a musician starts learning a piece of music, \u00a0the process can be daunting. \u00a0 Musicians, however, naturally start breaking the song into parts. \u00a0 By slowly mastering small phrases, scales, chords, and patterns, the song slowly emerges from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4,5,16,23,11,3,8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1238"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1238"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1242,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1238\/revisions\/1242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/inspiredtoeducate.net\/inspiredtoeducate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}