![]() Lightbot Jr., a simpler version designed for younger coders, is also available. Background music can be toggled on/off and instructional text language can be changed in the home screen. No in-app purchases, ads or social media links. ![]() The app includes coins and stars to show progress. The app introduces programming vocabulary and encourages an understanding of procedures, loops and conditionals. Each of 50 levels is played in order and teaches young coders to use commands to solve puzzles by moving a whimsical robot from square to square and lighting up specific tiles. Lightbot is a 3D game-style app that teaches the basic concepts of programming. #Play lightbot jr free android#Platform: iOS (Mac, iPhone/iTouch, iPad), Google Play, Amazon (Kindle Fire), Windows, Web Browser (Hour of Code free lite version)Ĭost: $2.99 (Lightbot One Hour Coding iOS and Android version are free- see note below) Have any suggestions for my program or an experience to share? Please send them my way! I’d love to hear what other libraries have planned. For example, what will inspire my daughter, and girls her age, to dive in? As I’ve reviewed them for inclusion in the Hour of Code program, I’ve thought about why I didn’t learn to code and how I can make the experience different for kids in my community. I figure I’m promoting lifelong learning.įor now here are a few coding apps that I’ll be introducing kids to in December. It’s a fun way to learn! The kids see me exploring, problem solving, and even getting frustrated as we figure it out together. I’ve been learning as I introduce the concept to my own kids and kids at the library. Unlike my brother who was working as a programmer at 15, I was not interested as a kid, teen, or even youngish adult. #Play lightbot jr free professional#It’s on my list of 2014 professional development goals and I’m slowly figuring out the basics. I’ll admit that I know only a little about programming. We’ll be using laptops along with the iPads to provide additional access during the program(s). This will be the inaugural program for the fleet of iPads my library received from the Alaska State Library and the Online With Libraries Initiative (OWL). Combined with the free online tutorials they offer, I’ll also be incorporating several free and paid coding iPad apps that I have tested. The Hour of Code site offers great resources for planning so I started there. For example, motivated Minecraft players check out every available Minecraft book in the library, over and over again. Fortunately, kids are curious and many are fearless so introducing something new, like coding, in a fun, informal way usually works out well. I also recognize that the use of digital media in intentional ways offers motivation that crosses over to other learning areas like reading. Learning to code, or just seeing what it’s all about, is a great example of that. I’m always looking for ways to help kids see what’s behind the digital media we consume, what we can create with it, and what’s next. Kids need to learn programming, whether it’s at school, the library or at home. ![]() ![]() I’m still designing the after school program we’ll be hosting, but the idea is to introduce kids to the basics of computer programming in the informal learning environment also known as the library. These coding apps help kids gain confidence by empowering them with positivity and fun.During the week of December 8th, our library will be participating in the 2014 Hour of Code. Through riddles, puzzles, and free play, kids also learn “soft” skills, like resilience, problem-solving, and patience. What’s great about applications: they are conveniently located wherever your phone or tablet is. Kids learn fundamental concepts like loops, “if-then” statements, variables, and conditionals with the help of fun characters and bright colors. Not only are there ample options for kids coding classes, but there are also tons of other free games, apps, and other resources that help kids learn programming skills.Īlthough some of these applications teach a specific language, most focus more on introducing the logic of coding. Today there are many online coding programs for kids that provide the structure needed for kids to learn while being flexible enough to meet the demands of the modern family. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help parents bridge that gap and provide a great learning experience for their kids. Parents may find it difficult to teach programming to children if they don’t have any experience themselves. As a result, coding has become an important second language for children and adults alike. Every day, we’re surrounded by technology. ![]()
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