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Kids Programming

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:34 am
by new2me
Since my DSs would happily spend every waking hour glued to a pc, I'd be interested in sending them on a course that introduces them to computer science and instructs them in the art of coding. I've tried searching online but only camps I can find seem to be based around lego. Does anyone know of suitable courses?

Re: Kids Programming

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 12:51 pm
by Tinkers
There's a program you can download for free called scratch. It's got a good simple handbook and is great for teaching the basics of programming in a fun way, without the worry of spelling and syntax. My 10 year old quite happily spent time on it last year, with not much input or encouragement from me.
Some schools use this same program to introduce programming to children.

Re: Kids Programming

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:24 pm
by Okanagan
Aimed at primary schools really - but Code Club is a good initiative, which uses scatch, as mentioned above. Also worth looking at Raspberry Pi Or if you're in Wales (which you probably aren't) there is Technocamps.

Re: Kids Programming

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:05 pm
by JRM
Thanks for those ideas. Complteely coincidentally my DH spent last night researching Raspberry Pi as an idea for a Christmas present. He is in the IT trade and seemed to like it, but I'll show him these and see what he thinks.

Mew2Me - can you do programming? I am worried I am going to have to learn to keep up as I don't want it to be seen as a male thing in our house. But it's a long time since I learnt anything completely new from scratch.

Re: Kids Programming

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:47 pm
by Hera
My 10 year old is using Rasberry Pi at the moment and is really enjoying it and learning loads at the same time. He has done it pretty much all himself so far letting us know what bits he needs. Bought manual in book form which has been useful too. Would definately recommend.

Re: Kids Programming

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 9:02 pm
by new2me
Yes I'd be keen for him to learn raspberry pi but it would have to be on a course with other kids because he'd never make a move to learn it on his own. My eldest DS came into the world with an excellent brain but without an enthusiastic bone in his body. He has to be pushed to try anything new and I'm desperate to find something that will interest him. They do scratch at school but at lunchtime when my DS would rather eat a burger. I googled raspberry pi holiday courses and couldn't find any. If anyone knows of any courses, please let me know.

Re: Kids Programming

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 9:13 pm
by Okanagan
Is this any good?

Re: Kids Programming

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 10:15 pm
by new2me
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll contact the course provider you suggested and see if they offer suitable holiday/ weekend courses.

Re: Kids Programming

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:54 pm
by JRM
bel wrote:My 10 year old is using Rasberry Pi at the moment and is really enjoying it and learning loads at the same time. He has done it pretty much all himself so far letting us know what bits he needs. Bought manual in book form which has been useful too. Would definately recommend.
Thanks for the ffedback. We have his birthday before Christmas so he may end up with it sooner rather than later.

Re: Kids Programming

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 2:13 am
by sherry_d
Highly recommend Scratch too and its provided for free by MIT. The beauty of Scratch is that kids can share their work. Another one that DD has dabbed with a little is Alice but its a bit more advanced and you can't share work which seem a bit important for them at that age :roll: .

I have heard good things about this too as a next step from Scratch.
https://www.coursera.org/course/cs101" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;