Inspired by the Hour of Code, many educators have pledged to go well beyond 60 minutes and teach their students coding and programming skills on a regular basis.
The beauty of learning to code is that its benefits stay with students even if students do not pursue programming degrees or careers. Computational thinking, problem solving, and perseverance serve students well no matter what their future holds.
Getting started can seem daunting, for sure–even though there are thousands of learn-to-code resources out there for educators, vetting those resources and wading through endless tools and websites is a bit exhausting. But it is absolutely possible to find easy resources (even if you’re coding at home).
In addition to the resources from Code.org and Computer Science Education Week, apps are a great place to start.
Here are some of Apple’s recommended coding apps for all ages. Most of these target younger learners, but some are more advanced and can challenge older students.
(Note: App descriptions are taken directly from the App Store; some apps require in-app purchases or monthly fees.)
1. codeSpark Academy: Kids Coding
codeSpark Academy uses a patent pending “no words” interface to teach the basics of computer programming and essential coding skills through a variety of interactive learning activities including puzzles, games, step-by-step creative projects, game design and offline printables–all of which can be monitored by parents.
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