I have begun to recognise my over-dependency with social media forums however, every so often I come across an app or other digital tool that makes my feel like it's a good thing I still use some of these social media tools. Although I no longer use Snapchat daily as a tool to share the moments in my day I deem important, I do still look at the live stories from well known businesses. Mashable is a well known source for news and updates on the latest digital tools and happenings throughout the world. They share an app of the day normally a helpful or engaging app, they also share news and other information including a story I came across today.
Heather and Amie from Portland have created the first Children's Book that is based around code. Based on Kickstarter they are heading towards publishing and selling this book first in a America (and hopefully soon the rest of the world!) the book titled "The Wonderful World of Creatures and Code" shares coding with learners as we build the next generation of coders.
Kickstarter Link
There are already may different tools for learners to use to develop basic coding skills, including Hour of Code (online), Hopscotch (iPad App) and Scratch (Online and iPad App).
Hour of Code
Hour of code is an online learning tool that teachers can set up and from there manage their learner's progress and monitor the learner's use of the programme. Starting with how to use the codes each programme leads to learners creating their app or image taking around an hour to complete the 10 levels. As well as the scaffolded progression the learners are also able to engage with popular themes and characters such as Frozen, Flappy Bird, Angry Birds and Plants versus Zombies. Check out my completed Flappy Bird game (the rules are not what you expect) and give it a go yourself.
Flappy Bird Fun
Hopscotch
Hopscotch allows users to either make their own projects or make specific applications with video tutorials to accompany them. I gave the food fight game a go where you programme two characters to move by tapping arrows and the characters throw food at each other. The instructions are clear and step by step meaning at any point if you are confused or bored you can fast forward or rewind the video (me a few times).
Hopscotch Food Fight
Scratch
Scratch is similar to Hour of Code however it allows more freedom to create and use your own characters or photos. It is also accessible on both iPad and computer meaning it is more user friendly because of it's accessibility. Scratch offers step by step activities to learn the basics and then you are free to create anything you choose whether it is a game or a short video. Learners are able to collaborate on projects and share their activities with each other.
The Benefits
All of these tools teach learners both coding and Mathematical skills. Learners are taught to consider transformation and position and orientation, they are able to consider movement in a range of directions and along axis. Personally I am a fan of Hour of Code however, after trialling Hopscotch I would use it again as the video allowed for scaffolded learning.
Heather and Amie from Portland have created the first Children's Book that is based around code. Based on Kickstarter they are heading towards publishing and selling this book first in a America (and hopefully soon the rest of the world!) the book titled "The Wonderful World of Creatures and Code" shares coding with learners as we build the next generation of coders.
Kickstarter Link
There are already may different tools for learners to use to develop basic coding skills, including Hour of Code (online), Hopscotch (iPad App) and Scratch (Online and iPad App).
Hour of Code
Hour of code is an online learning tool that teachers can set up and from there manage their learner's progress and monitor the learner's use of the programme. Starting with how to use the codes each programme leads to learners creating their app or image taking around an hour to complete the 10 levels. As well as the scaffolded progression the learners are also able to engage with popular themes and characters such as Frozen, Flappy Bird, Angry Birds and Plants versus Zombies. Check out my completed Flappy Bird game (the rules are not what you expect) and give it a go yourself.
Flappy Bird Fun
Hopscotch
Hopscotch allows users to either make their own projects or make specific applications with video tutorials to accompany them. I gave the food fight game a go where you programme two characters to move by tapping arrows and the characters throw food at each other. The instructions are clear and step by step meaning at any point if you are confused or bored you can fast forward or rewind the video (me a few times).
Hopscotch Food Fight
Scratch
Scratch is similar to Hour of Code however it allows more freedom to create and use your own characters or photos. It is also accessible on both iPad and computer meaning it is more user friendly because of it's accessibility. Scratch offers step by step activities to learn the basics and then you are free to create anything you choose whether it is a game or a short video. Learners are able to collaborate on projects and share their activities with each other.
The Benefits
All of these tools teach learners both coding and Mathematical skills. Learners are taught to consider transformation and position and orientation, they are able to consider movement in a range of directions and along axis. Personally I am a fan of Hour of Code however, after trialling Hopscotch I would use it again as the video allowed for scaffolded learning.
Comments
Post a Comment