Mitch Resnick: Let's teach kids to codeCoding isn't just for computer whizzes, says Mitch Resnick of MIT Media Lab -- it's for everyone. In a fun, demo-filled talk Resnick outlines the benefits of teaching kids to code, so they can do more than just "read" new technologies -- but also create them. (Filmed at TEDxBeaconStreet.)
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What most schools don't teachLearn about a new "superpower" that isn't being taught in in 90% of US schools. Starring Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, will.i.am, Chris Bosh, Jack Dorsey, Tony Hsieh, Drew Houston, Gabe Newell, Ruchi Sanghvi, Elena Silenok, Vanessa Hurst, and Hadi Partovi. Directed by Lesley Chilcott.
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iPad Apps
These 3 apps were recommended by Kathy Karmolinski, the lower school technology teacher at the Steward School. We hope to use it if and when we get a laptop cart for the lower school.
Kodable
Does not require any reading and is simple to learn. Would be excellent for JK - 1st grade.
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Daisy the Dinosaur
Requires some reading and is simple to learn. Would be excellent for 1st and 2nd grade.
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Hopscotch
Requires reading and is more complex.
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Learn to Program
Should your child learn this language above all others?Computer programming has never been taught as a core subject in schools, but perhaps it should be. Click on the image below to read the entire story:
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Scratch (MIT)Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web.
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Alice (Carnegie Mellon)Alice is an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. Alice is a freely available teaching tool designed to be a student's first exposure to object-oriented programming. It allows students to learn fundamental programming concepts in the context of creating animated movies and simple video games. In Alice, 3-D objects (e.g., people, animals, and vehicles) populate a virtual world and students create a program to animate the objects.
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Hackety Hack
Hackety Hack will teach you the absolute basics of programming from the ground up. No previous programming experience is needed! With Hackety Hack, you'll learn the Ruby programming language. Ruby is used for all kinds of programs, including desktop applications and websites.
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Snap (Berkeley)
Snap (formerly BYOB) is a visual, drag-and-drop programming language. It is an extended reimplementation of Scratch (a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab) that allows you to Build Your Own Blocks. It also features first class lists, first class procedures, and continuations. These added capabilities make it suitable for a serious introduction to computer science for high school or college students.
SNAP! runs in your browser. It is implemented using Javascript, which is designed to limit the ability of browser-based software to affect your computer, so it's safe to run even other people's projects, even if you don't trust our competence or good intentions.. |
StarLogo TNG (MIT)
StarLogo TNG is The Next Generation ofStarLogo modeling and simulation software. While this version holds true to the premise of StarLogo as a tool to create and understand simulations of complex systems, it also brings with it several advances - 3D graphics and sound, a blocks-based programming interface, and keyboard input - that make it a great tool for programming educational video games. Through TNG we hope to:
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Code.orgLearn the basic concepts of Computer Science with drag and drop programming. This is a game-like, self-directed tutorial.
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LightbotLightbot One Hour Coding is meant to introduce kids who have no experience whatsoever programming, and is all-ages friendly! That means anyone anywhere from K to 12 can play, have fun and learn real programming logic!
Lightbot is a programming puzzle game: a puzzle game that uses game mechanics that are firmly rooted in programming concepts. Lightbot lets players gain a practical understanding of basic control-flow concepts like instruction sequencing, procedures and loops, just by guiding a robot with commands to light up tiles and solve levels. |
Made with CodeMade with Code is an initiative by Google to champion creativity, girls, and code, all at once. The movement is designed to do three things: To inspire girls by celebrating women and girls who are using code to do great things; to engage girls to try coding through introductory projects and resources; and to sustain their interest by creating alliances and community around girls and coding.
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Code HuntCode Hunt is a game! The player, the code hunter, has to discover missing code fragments. The player wins points for each level won with extra bonus for elegant solutions.
Play in Java or C#... or in both! Code Hunt allows you to play in those two curly-brace languages. Code Hunt provides a rich editing experience with syntax coloring, squiggles, search and keyboard shortcuts. |
Microsoft Hour of Code |
Code MonkeyCodeMonkey is an engaging online game that teaches real computer programming to children as young as 9. We release new features and challenges on a monthly basis. Stay tuned, and don't touch the green banana!
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Etoys
Etoys is...
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KoduKodu lets kids create games on the PC and Xbox via a simple visual programming language. Kodu can be used to teach creativity, problem solving, storytelling, as well as programming. Anyone can use Kodu to make a game, young children as well as adults with no design or programming skills.
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Youth Digital ($)Highly recommended by a Grymes 5th grader.
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How to build an app: 36 great tutorials
Whether you want to build an app for iPhone, iPad, Android or Windows, these app tutorials will help you on your way...
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App InventorMIT App Inventor is a blocks-based programming tool that allows everyone, even novices, to start programming and build fully functional apps for Android devices. Newcomers to App Inventor can have their first app up and running in an hour or less, and can program more complex apps in significantly less time than with more traditional, text-based languages.
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GameSaladIf you want to make games, what are you waiting for? With GameSalad Creator you can learn the basics and start making games in about an hour. That’s right. You can make your first game in about an hour.
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CodeaCodea for iPad lets you create games and simulations — or just about any visual idea you have. Turn your thoughts into interactive creations that make use of iPad features like Multi-Touch and the accelerometer.
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Other Information
Computer Science Unplugged - a collection of free learning activities that teach Computer Science through engaging games and puzzles that use cards, string, crayons and lots of running around.
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Hardware and Robotics
Recently, there has a been a lot of talk about the benefits of teaching students to code.
- Programming teaches students:
- critical thinking skills,
- higher order thinking,
- problem solving skills,
- the importance of details,
- and how to think logically.
- It's physical.
- Students have to deal with real time, real world issues.
- It provides students with a better understanding of the role of hardware vs software.
- and last but not least, kids love to play with robots.
ARDUINO
How Arduino is open-sourcing imaginationMassimo Banzi helped invent the Arduino, a tiny, easy-to-use open-source microcontroller that's inspired thousands of people around the world to make the coolest things they can imagine -- from toys to satellite gear. Because, as he says, "You don't need anyone's permission to make something great."
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Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino development environment (based on Processing). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate with software running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP).
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Hack a Banana and Make a Keyboard
Why can't two slices of pizza be used as a slide clicker? Why shouldn't you make music with ketchup? In this charming talk, inventor Jay Silver talks about the urge to play with the world around you. He shares some of his messiest inventions, and demos MaKey MaKey, a kit for hacking everyday objects.
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MaKey MaKey ($)
MaKey MaKey is an invention kit for the 21st century. Turn everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet. It's a simple Invention Kit for Beginners and Experts doing art, engineering, and everything inbetween. Works out of the box. Includes: MaKey MaKey, USB Cable, 7 Alligator Clips, 6 Connector Wires, Quick Start Guide, Online Documentation, and comes in a Colorful Retail Box. Watch video, be stoked!
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LEGO Mindstorms ($)
The LEGO Mindstorm series of kits contain software and hardware to create small, customizable and programmable robots. They include a programmable brick computer that controls the system, a set of modular sensors and motors, and LEGO parts from the Technics line to create the mechanical systems. (Wikipedia)
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Raspberry Pi ($)
The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python. It’s capable of doing everything you’d expect a desktop computer to do, from browsing the internet and playing high-definition video, to making spreadsheets, word-processing, and playing games.
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Lego Wedoo ($)The LEGO® WeDo™ Construction Kit is a simple robotics tool designed for ages 7–11. It allows users to design their own interactive machines, and then program them using drag-and-drop software like Scratch.
In Scratch 2.0, you can add a LEGO WeDo extension within the "More Blocks" category. Click "Add an Extension" and choose "LEGO WeDo. |
Kano Computer ($)Kano is a computer you build and code yourself. Lego simple, Raspberry Pi powerful, and hugely fun.
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Bee-BotBee-Bot is an exciting new robot designed for use by young children. This colorful, easy-to-operate, and friendly little robot is a perfect tool for teaching sequencing, estimation, problem-solving, and just having fun! Directional keys are used to enter up to 40 commands which send Bee-Bot forward, back, left, and right. Pressing the green GO button starts Bee-Bot on its way.
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Modular Robotics ($)Cubelets are magnetic robot blocks that snap together to make an endless variety of robots. Without wiring or programing you and your youngsters can build thousands and thousands of tiny robots!
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mirobot ($)Mirobot is a WiFi robotics kit that helps children learn about technology and programming.
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Intel Galileo & Innovation ToolboxGalileo is Intel®’s microcontroller board for the classroom. The Innovation ToolBox is a hub of ideas, information, resources and success stories to help drive the next generation of inventors, creators and entrepreneurs in your classroom.
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Other Information |
ENGINEERING
PBS Design SquadThe goal of Design Squad is to give kids a stronger understanding of the design process, and the connection between engineering and the things we all use in everyday life. The site targets kids ages 8 and older and features creative activities, engaging video, interactive games, and exciting contests.
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PBS Engineering Games |
Engineering.com Games |