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Computer programming... for kids.

Seaimpin de na Ulchabhan Donn
Garyc
Seaimpin de na Ulchabhan Donn
Posted On: 02/15/2015 at 08:42 PM
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Greetings,

I've got a 10 year old who is itching to learn how to get started in computer programming.

Does anyone have any advice for the best way a youngster can get started?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Garyc

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Response:

Curadh de na Capall Donn
Alex
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Replied On: 02/16/2015 at 05:59 AM PST
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http://code.org/learn -> I'd start here with a couple of the one hour block puzzles to get the mindset

 

I've only ever played with a couple of the code.org puzzles for 20 or so minutes but it really has the mindset of breaking a program down into little chunks and piecing it all together.

 

http://www.codecademy.com/ -> then move to here. This will jump you more into a particular language and walk you through the process of building a site/app

 

Disclaimer: that's my base understanding of these sites. I learned 90%+ of what I know and use on the job via google/stackoverflow. 



» Edited on: 2015-02-16 06:00:39

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Caomhnoir de na Ulchabhan Donn
Gaspara112
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Replied On: 02/16/2015 at 10:52 AM PST
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Introducing children to coding is actually becoming a fairly common thing now. As such there are a ton of options available online. A simple google search for "learning programming for kids" returns a ton of different websites specifically designed for it.

 

Most options start with block-based coding where it has them build a simple, animated program by drag and dropping parts and then allows them to look at the code it has written based on their choices.

 

The Alice software from Carnegie Melon was the first of the kind that I encountered about 10 years ago, but the options day go FAR beyond what it offered then. Though I am sure Alice has improved greatly also.

 

I fully support Alex's suggestion as I would give the exact same one if he hadn't given it already.



» Edited on: 2015-02-16 10:53:53

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Seaimpin de na Ulchabhan Donn
Garyc
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Replied On: 02/16/2015 at 07:56 PM PST
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This should be a good start.  Thank you.

I asked around at work too.  The advice I got there was to get a Raspberry PI 2 ($35 quad core computer) that runs linux.  I'm told its an inexpensive way to get started with a computer.

More input is always welcomed.  I'm hoping to provide my son with as many resources as possible that will help him learn to code.

And to think they didn't have computers when I was his age. :/  I feel old.  lol

(If anyone has a Raspberry PI, or knows anything about them, give a shout out.)  

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Seaimpin de na Capall Oráiste
Necro
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Replied On: 02/17/2015 at 04:44 AM PST

I might go have a look at those links myself... Im 14 and really want to start learning how to code thanks guys! 

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Ban Seaimpin de na Iolair
Cyrexae
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Replied On: 02/18/2015 at 07:31 AM PST
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We just got my oldest (15 yr old) son the new Raspberry Pi for his birthday.   It was on backorder, finally arrived a couple days ago.  He's pretty psyched about it.   He has been dabbling in programming for a while now.  Chris started with Python, using the Khan academy videos and just ran with it on his own.  Chris said even though he is just getting started with the Raspberry Pi, that he could talk to your son about it.  They could figure stuff out together (if it was cool).  Said "Two heads are better than one, Mom."  That is if your son were to get a Raspberry Pi 2.  Anyway, if you are interested, I can PM you Chris' email address.

My husband Paul has been programming since he was a kid, when his mom bought him the "Teach yourself C"  book.  I asked him where he thought he would start a 10 year old.  He said just get him a book (for the linear learning aspect) on any language and let your son mess around with it.  Little coding projects within the book would be a good reward for learning.  When I asked him what I should start with (should I want to start learning to program), he told me C#.  The biggest thing he stressed though, is starting somewhere (language doesn't matter), and allowing your child to experiment and get their feet wet in it.  That is how he learned. 

 

Hope this helps,

Jen   

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Muintir de na Capall
Psytic
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Replied On: 02/18/2015 at 10:29 PM PST

****** seriously check this link out**** https://scratch.mit.edu/

One of the creators did a lecture at the local university its a very fascinating project that uses visual blocks of code that you can piece together to create programs but you can actually see the underlying code as well.

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Tiarna de na Ulchabhan Dearg
Booie
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Replied On: 02/19/2015 at 07:40 PM PST
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Other thing that is fun to play with is LEGO Mindstorm.  It is also block based programming and it has the added benefit of making something physical do something.

"A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever" - Shigeru Miyamoto
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Ban Ridire de na Faolchu
Sihgrhid
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Replied On: 02/21/2015 at 02:06 PM PST

I run a coding club with my students (high school) and I also work with my 10 year old son. My favorite learn-at-your-own-pace site is codeavengers.com. Highly recommend. The first level (which is quite a bit depending on your speed) is free, and quite reasonably priced past that. My son has been working on level one for a year. It took me two weeks to power through. You can learn Javascript, HTML5 & CSS3, or Python (newly added). 

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