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App of the Week: A new way to learn coding

Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education [1], which helps educators find the best ed-tech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. Click here [2]to read the full app review.

What’s It Like? 

Available on the web or as an app, Human Resource Machine is a programming puzzle game that lets you play as an office drone — a cog in a machine performing simple tasks and trying to avoid having robots take over your job. On each level, your boss gives a command, and you automate the task by moving items from your inbox to the outbox. Moving items is achieved through simple, drag-and-drop commands in a sidebar.

Price: $4.99 (app), $9.99 (Steam)

Grades: 6-12

Rating: 4/5

Pros: Entertaining, addictive, and enjoyable puzzles make programming come to life.

Cons: Very little in-game instruction or help; students might give up or just search the internet for the solution.

Bottom line: A novel way to learn programming that will require student collaboration and extra adult support.