Kids Programming

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new2me
Posts: 162
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:52 pm

Kids Programming

Post 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?
Tinkers
Posts: 7240
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 2:05 pm
Location: Reading

Re: Kids Programming

Post 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.
Okanagan
Posts: 1706
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:20 pm
Location: Warwickshire

Re: Kids Programming

Post 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.
JRM
Posts: 301
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 7:32 pm

Re: Kids Programming

Post 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.
The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
Dr Seuss
Hera
Posts: 856
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:50 pm

Re: Kids Programming

Post 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.
new2me
Posts: 162
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:52 pm

Re: Kids Programming

Post 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.
Okanagan
Posts: 1706
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:20 pm
Location: Warwickshire

Re: Kids Programming

Post by Okanagan »

Is this any good?
new2me
Posts: 162
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:52 pm

Re: Kids Programming

Post by new2me »

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll contact the course provider you suggested and see if they offer suitable holiday/ weekend courses.
JRM
Posts: 301
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 7:32 pm

Re: Kids Programming

Post 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.
The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
Dr Seuss
sherry_d
Posts: 2083
Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:38 pm
Location: Maidstone

Re: Kids Programming

Post 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;
Impossible is Nothing.
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