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.
Ready Maker [2]
What’s It Like?
In Ready Maker, you add backgrounds, icons, and behaviors to make your own digital creations through an app (or downloaded on a PC or Mac). The coding is extremely simple, relying on visual drag-and-drop blocks and clear, concise directions rather than any actual coding language. The core concepts are there, however, and students exposed to Ready Maker likely will find actual coding familiar in the future. Students can make mazes, video games, animations, or just about anything else they can imagine.
Price: Free, Paid
Grades: 4-12
Rating: 4/5
Pros: Easy to use but difficult to master, Ready Maker will engage kids and keep them solving problems.
Cons: The app can be confusing to use at first, and students will need scaffolding to link creations to class content.
Bottom line: With teacher support, Ready Maker is a creative introduction to coding and game design.