GameChanginner

GameChangineer is a fantastic site that I just found out about that helps students learn how to
program/code in a simple and unique way.  The way GameChangineer works is simply by typing in what you want to happen in the game or by thinking/typing out loud.  Students will begin to use their computational thinking and sequential skills to develop a game.  Also, this is a great way to integrate STEM into the classroom and focus on essential skills such as: logical thinking, problem solving, and more.  Best of all, GameChangineer works in real-time and will help offer suggestions/auto correct what part of your text is wrong and how to correct it so your game will work.  There are even lesson plans to help educators use GameChangineer in the classroom.  Finally, students can test out their game and see how games such as Pacman and Space Invaders work.

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

Makerdemy

Makerdemy is an excellent site for learning how to program/code in different languages such as: Raspberry Pi, Google Assistant, Alexa, and more.  This is done through self paced learning where students can select their own level (i.e. advanced) and then take courses at their own pace.  Finally, Makerdemy has excellent online support and answers questions w/ detailed timely responses.

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

30 Sites/Apps for Learning how to Program or Code

In today's classroom STEM is a vital topic covered universally.  With that being said, more and more students are being introduce to coding and programming earlier then ever before.  Best of all, new technology and apps makes it easier and easier for students to learn these useful skills.  Below is a list of some of the best resources for students and educators looking to learn how to program and code.

*This list is in alphabetical order.

30 Sites/Apps for Learning how to Program or Code

1. Boogie Bot - A super fun iOS app that teaches kids how to program/code.  This is done by dragging and dropping code to make your robot dance.
2. Code Avengers - A great site for teachers wanting their students to learn how to code games, websites, apps, or more.
3. Code Blast - An interesting iOS app for introducing young kids to the concepts of coding by guiding a rocket through an obstacle course.
4. Code Kingdoms - An excellent site for students to learn how to code games like Minecraft and Roblox through a drag-n-drop interface.  Best of all is the educator portal which allows teachers to track and monitor student progress.
5. 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.
6. Codecademy - A interactive site that helps students learn how to program in Javascript,  PHP, Ruby, or Python by step by step instructions.
7. CodeCampKidz - A great way for students to learn live (i.e. Microsoft stores) or online to program in html, CSS, JS, and more.
8. Codemoji - An innovative new site that lets students learn how to code through the use of emojis as well as track student progress through the educational dashboard.  This is ideal for assessing students and differentiating instruction.
9. CodePlayer - A nice site to learn HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript through video walkthroughs.
10. codeSpark Academy - A fun way for kids 4-9 yrs old to learn how to code through activities, puzzles, projects and more by interacting w/ the Foos.
11. 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.
12. Dystopia - An innovative site that teaches students how to code through a digital graphic novel.
13. Gamefroot - Is an excellent resource for teachers looking to learn how to code or teach it in their classroom.  Also, the easy-to-follow tutorials and professional development help educators integrate Gamefroot and STEM into their classrooms.
14. 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.
15. Hopscotch - A wonderful iOS app that teaches kids how to program and create animations by dragging-n-dropping blocks together.
16. hyperPad - Formerly known as GamePress, allows students to create games, apps, interactive books and more.  This iOS app is ideal for learning the basics of programming w/ lots of resources and activities for educators.
17. Kids'n'Code - A nice iPad app for younger students learning the basics fo coding as they control robots to solve simple puzzles.
18. 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.
19. MIT App Inventor - A wonderful site filled w/ lots of educational resources for teaching students how to program mobile apps.
20. Osmo - An award winning education game system for the iPad that lets students learn how to code through three different games (i.e. Awbie, Jam, and Duo).
21. Pixel - A free new mobile app (iOS/Android) to learn how to code by programming robot's emotions and speech.
22. Pixel Press Floors - An amazing app that lets students create games by drawing them.
23. Programmr - A nice way to learn programming by solving coding exercises.
24. Quest - An innovative site/app for creating text based games that will show/hide the programming language while it is being worked on.
25. Scratch (jr) - 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.
26. ScreenPlay - A fun game that introduces the basics of programming by solving puzzles through a variety of worlds.
27. Sketch Nation - A fantastic easy-to-use mobile (iOS/Android) app for students learning how to create games.  Also, there are lots of lesson plans for educators to help integrate STEM into the classroom.
28. Stencyl - A wonderful site for creating iOS or Flash based games by putting blocks together (i.e. Scratch).
29. Swift Playgrounds - A free iPad app that lets students learn how to program in Swift.  This is a fun and easy-to-use app that has users take on different challenges and even integrates w/ iTunes U.
30. Tynker - A great site for students 4th-8th grade learning how to program.

Kids'n'Code

Kids'n'Code is a fun free iPad app for kids 6-8 years old learning the basics concepts of programming and coding.  This is done by controlling robots and trying to solve simple puzzles.  Users of Scratch will feel right at home as Kids'n'Code focuses on such skills as: algebra, geometry, logic and more.

Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out Kids'n'Code by clicking here!!!

ScreenPlay

ScreenPlay is a new iOS app for learning how to program/code.  This is a fun interactive game that has students traveling through worlds/scenes to work through puzzles using basic coding concepts by jumping on different command buttons.  ScreenPlay is ideal for teaching STEM and designed for kids 9-11 years old.

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

Swift Playgrounds

Swift Playground is the new free iPad app (requires iOS 10.0) for teaching kids how to code.  This is a fantastic app that works very similar to those familiar w/ apps such as Hopscotch or Scratch.  All a user has to do is tap on a "block" of code or drag-n-drop to create commands.  No typing is required.  Once Swift is a downloaded a student can select between two step by step tutorials: Learn to Code 1 (Fundamentals of Swift) or Learn to Code 2 (Beyond the Basics).  Each section is very easy to learn and there is a "hint" button to help those that are stuck.

Also, there are "challenges" (i.e. Drawing Sounds, BattleShip, Brick Breaker, etc.) that users can do to help polish up on their programming skills and begin to create their own games/activities.  Other features include a built-in glossary to help learning programming words/language.  Import your own files/images/sounds to create your own "playground".  Record your own video coding to create a tutorial or to help "Flip a lesson".

Finally, Swift Playground makes it easy to share across iOS devices and integrates w/ iTunes U to make it easy to integrate into the classroom.

I highly recommend checking out Swift Playgrounds by clicking here!!!

CodeQuest

CodeQuest is a super fun iOS app that is currently free designed for teaching young students how to code in CSS or HTML.  The way this works is like most games where a user progress from level to level learning the basics of coding.  Once they complete the level they earn badges and unlock more of the game.  Best of all there is a parent section where they can signup to get emails of detailed progress reports.

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

For my Pinterest board on Programming and Coding 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.
    
    

LearnStreet

LearnStreet is a new (beta) site for learning how to code.  Right now it is in private beta so you can request an invite.  A person can learn, Javascript, Python, Ruby and more.

I recommend checking out LearnStreet by clicking here.

For 15 sites for learning how to program or code click here.

Codeacademy

Codeacademy is a free site I just found out about from Free Technology 4 Teachers.  This is an ideal site to learn how to do html or CSS code.  I've used Dreamweaver in the past and had to learn how to do code the hard way, this is an ideal tool to help teach that.  Anyone can learn the basics through these user friendly lessons even on up to more advanced stuff.

I recommend checking out Codeacademy by clicking here!!!

The Code Player

The Code Player is a new (alpha) site for creating or learning how to program/code through video.  These videos cover HTML 5, CSS, Java, and more.  A programmer can either create a tutorial by entering code and having Code Player create the video, or a person wanting to learning to program can come and browse the videos.

I recommend checking out The Code Player by clicking here!!