Tynker is a new iPad app for learning how to program or code that I just found out about from Free Technology 4 Teachers. It's similar to many other programming sites/apps where users have to assemble blocks to have objects or characters move. Tynker uses a storyboard format where a student would arrange blocks in a certain order to complete the "program".
Hakitzu Elite: Roboto Hackers is a fun iOS game that I just found out about from Edshelf. In this game players battle robots against others while learning how to program them w/ JavaScript. As a player gets better in coding they are able to unlock extra items such as levels and more.
There is no denying the popularity of computers and technology in schools. More and more students are integrating technology into their everyday lives and learning new skills at a younger age. Programs such as Project Lead the Way, Gen-Y, and now mobile devices help facilitate these skills w/ innovative technology tools. Computer Programming is another one of these topics that is being covered more and more in school and a great way to integrate technology into the classroom.
Quest is a innovative site/Windows app for creating text based adventure games (i.e, Zork). This is a very useful way to teach programming/coding to students as it has a button which will hide/show scripting/programming language (i.e., Dreamweaver). Also, a user can add images and video to really "spice" up their game.
Snap! is a site that is ideal for MS/HS learning how to program. The site is a spin-off of Scratch and works very similarly w/ a drag-n-drop interface of "snapping" pieces of blocks together. These blocks are commands and a user can see on the right side of the screen what is happening as they put these blocks together.
Kodable is a wonderful iPad app for programming that I found out about from ReadWrite. This is an excellent iPad app for kids ages 5-7 that helps them learn how to program by dragging-n-dropping fuzz balls around levels filled w/ directional arrows. The creator developed it w/ the thought that since age a young age is ideal to learn a language why not the language of programming. Some kids are learning how to program before learning how to read/write.
Hopscotch is another free iPad app for kids to learn programming that I found about from Edshelf. Again this app reminds me a lot of Daisy the Dinosaur and Scratch, where students can program by dragging-and-dropping blocks into order to form commands. Once the sequence of commands is completed a user can watch as characters come to life. A neat feature is once a student becomes more advanced they can program to have their iPad interact w/ the app by tilting or shaking.
Move the Turtle is an excellent iOS app for learning how to program, that I just found out about on Edshelf. This app reminds me a lot of Daisy the Dinosaur using a turtle and graphics to help students learn how to program. What makes this so great for education is that it is a simple to use app that goes step by step as students learn how to manipulate graphics and help them complete tasks. Also, there is a nice feature of being able to see a "solution" to a task if a student gets caught up on a lesson.
Daisy the Dinosaur if a wonderful free iPad app that I just found out about from Edshelf. This is an app designed for kids 4+ that reminds me a lot of Scratch. Students learn how to program by dragging and dropping commands into an order and then watching Daisy as she animates and follows these commands.
Teech is a new (beta) site that I just found out about from Edshelf. This is a nice site that allows users to easily creating educational applications. What I like about Teech is the wide variety of content that a user can create such as: grading, assessments, content management systems, games, etc.
Code Monster is a new site for students for learning how to program in Javascript. This is ideal for middle school students on up and covers 58 lessons for learning how to program.
