Cloudart

Cloudart is a great iPad app for creating word clouds that I just found out about from Edshelf.  This is a very easy to use app where a user can either add the text they want in their clouds or transform text from a webpage into a cloud.  Also, a user can edit their cloud once it is created to emphasize on certain words.

I highly recommend checking out Cloudart by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational iOS Apps click here.
For my Edshelf collection on Educational iOS Apps click here.

20 Sites/Apps for Learning how to Program or Code

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.

*This list is in alphabetical order.

20 Sites/Apps for Learning how to Program or Code

1. ClassTools - A wonderful site for educators w/ lots of different resources.  A user can use a template or game generator to create customized educational games and then embed into their site/blog.
2. Code Avengers - A great site for teachers wanting their students to learn how to code games, websites (Javascript), or apps.
3. Code Monster - A fantastic very user friendly site that has students learn how to program Javascript by practicing in a side-by-side window and watching what happens as they type in commands.
4. Codecademy - A interactive site that helps students learn how to program in Javascript,  PHP, Ruby, or Python by step by step instructions.
5. CodePlayer - A nice site to learn HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript through video walkthroughs.
6. CodeSpells - A innovative app that teaches students how to code in Java by casting spells in a 3D virtual world.
7. Daisy the Dinosaur - A fun iPad app that teaches kids how to program and animate by dragging blocks together and watching Daisy preform the action.
8. GamePress - Is one of my son's favorite iPad apps that allows them to create games.  This app is ideal for learning the basics of programming by providing graphics, commands, logic and more.
9. Gamestar Mechanic - A nice site for teachers wanting to teach their students how to program games.  This is done by reinforcing skills such as, problem solving, writing, storytelling, and more.
10. Google Blockly - A visual programmer editor that reminds me of Scratch in where a user has to drag-n-drop blocks together to create an action.
11. Hopscotch - A wonderful iOS app that teaches kids how to program and create animations by dragging-n-dropping blocks together.
12. Kodable - A fun iPad app designed for younger kids that has them controlling fuzzballs to complete each level.  Each level deals w/ a simple concept of programming and gets more advanced as they get higher.
13. LearnStreet - a cool site for learning how to program Javascript, Python, or Ruby.
14. MIT App Inventor - A wonderful site filled w/ lots of educational resources for teaching students how to program mobile apps.
15. Programmr - A nice way to learn programming by solving coding exercises.
16. Quest - An innovative site/app for creating text based games that will show/hide the programming language while it is being worked on.
17. Scratch - Probably the most popular site on the list as 1000's of students have created online games through their very easy to use web interface.
18. Stencyl - A wonderful site for creating iOS or Flash based games by putting blocks together (i.e. Scratch).
19. Storytelling Alice - One of my favorite apps (Windows) on the list for learning how to program.  While this free app is no longer supported it is still available for download.
20. Tynker - A great site for students 4th-8th grade learning how to program.
    
    

Taught It

Taught It is a nice free file sharing site for educators.  This is a nice simply way for teachers to share files, images, documents, videos, etc.  It's easy to use and a user has a nice dashboard that manages resources and contacts.

I recommend checking out Taught It by clicking here!!!

Chima

Chima is a fun iOS app for wanting to reinforce students basic Math skills such as addition/subtraction. It's a fairly simple game where a user tries to answer a multiple choice Math question correct.  It uses a basic fighting/adventure/RPG style game where a correct answer attacks/hits the enemy causing them to lose hit points (HP).  The better a person does and they can level up.  There's also a nice feature to choose the monster you want to go against.

I recommend checking out Chima by clicking here.

To try out the browser version of the game click here.

Classmint

Classmint is a site for making flashcards/study notes that I just found out about from Free Technology 4 Teachers.  This is a great site that lets users create notes/cards that they can add images, audio, or annotate on.  This is useful when wanting to study via a digital flashcard and memorize information.

I highly recommend checking out Classmint by clicking here!!!

For a brief demo view below...

Quest

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.

I highly recommend checking out Quest by clicking here!!!

For 15 Sites Learning how to Program/Code click here.

LearnBIG

LearnBIG is a new curation site that reminds me of a cross between MentorMob and Edshelf.  This is a excellent site to find 1000's of educational resources on a wide variety of subjects (sites, apps, etc) reviewed by fellow: parents, educators, students.  Best of all a person can save, tag, and curate their favorites into a list.

Here is info straight from their press release...

1.      The site is community-reviewed by parents, teachers and learners.

2.      The format provides an easy way to search, filter and compare results.

3.      LearnBIG offers thousands of resources collected from websites and apps including games, courses, videos, and textbooks for all ages from Pre-k, K-12 and continuing learners. 

Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out LearnBIG by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational Resources click here.
For my Edshelf collection on Educational Resources click here.