Coding Tools
CODING TOOLS
Blockly
Blockly is a library that adds a visual code editor to web and mobile apps. The Blockly editor uses interlocking, graphical blocks to represent code concepts like variables, logical expressions, loops, and more. It allows users to apply programming principles without having to worry about syntax or the intimidation of a blinking cursor on the command line.
From a user's perspective, Blockly is an intuitive, visual way to build code. From a developer's perspective, Blockly is a ready-made UI for creating a visual language that emits syntactically correct user-generated code. Blockly can export blocks to many programming languages, including these popular options:
- JavaScript
- Python
- PHP
- Lua
- Dart
Try it out: https://blockly.games/
Code Academy
Code.org
Code.org® is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented youth. Their vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science, just like biology, chemistry or algebra.
What is the Hour of Code?
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts.
When is the Hour of Code?
The Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week. The 2020 Computer Science Education Week will be December 7-13. Computer Science Education Week is held annually in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906).
Hour of code website: https://hourofcode.com/us/learn
Scratch
Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world. As children create with Scratch, they learn to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically. Scratch is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab.
Tynker
Tynker has comprehensive coding and STEAM curriculum. Grade-specific and self-paced, Tynker's interactive curriculum lets students learn by creatively applying coding concepts to core subjects. The curriculum includes 41 game-based coding, drone, LEGO®, STEAM, JavaScript and Python courses.
Tynker at home: https://www.tynker.com/parents/