What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr 9?

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Bumblebeez
Posts: 268
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 5:55 pm

What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr 9?

Post by Bumblebeez »

DD is creative (words and art) and loves trying out new technologies. She has scripted and drawn or modeled short animations and says she has tried coding. She is in Yr 9 at GS. She is talking about Scratch. All of this is beyond my experience and out of my comfort zone but I would like to encourage her. Any suggestions? What apps could she try? Are there online courses you can recommend? Any classes, or holiday courses, out there that are suitable? Thanks!
Tinkers
Posts: 7240
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 2:05 pm
Location: Reading

Re: What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr

Post by Tinkers »

Scratch is a great start at programming. Free to download. MIT also do app inventor (also free to download) to write apps for android phones. I've a feeling scratch won't keep her engaged for long. DD picked it up in year 5 quite easily.
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr

Post by Guest55 »

You could look at a Raspberry pi ...

http://www.raspberrypi.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Yamin151
Posts: 2405
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:30 am

Re: What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr

Post by Yamin151 »

Thing 1s IT teacher recommended Python

http://www.codecademy.com/en/tracks/python" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr

Post by Guest55 »

Python is a great introduction to C - you can programme the pi using python.

http://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/usage/python/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
RedVelvet
Posts: 546
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 2:06 pm

Re: What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr

Post by RedVelvet »

Also with the pi you can also use it to programme minecraft.
DC17C
Posts: 1197
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:34 pm

Re: What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr

Post by DC17C »

My creative dd is yr 9 too and has just joined the new coding club at school and started using Python - she is really enjoying it.

She asked for a graphics tablet for her computer last Christmas and she is enjoying doing artwork with that too. The only thing is she'd like to use Adobe photoshop now and I am not sure how best to do that as it seems to need an ongoing subscription- if any has any recommendations that would be great. :D
SunlampVexesEel
Posts: 1245
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:31 pm

Re: What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr

Post by SunlampVexesEel »

Nothing compares to PhotoShop but it is ££££. If you are brave then look on ebay for old versions. Probably best to buy an antivirus program at the same time. :shock:

re: Python...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-World-Com ... 1617290920" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

also...

https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; community edition is free but possibly too advanced.

There are also some really cool online programming sites now e.g. http://www.codecademy.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Obviously enjoy Minecraft whilst it lasts (the ecosystem looks threatened by the Microsoft buyout) and also Robocraft is fun.

Regards
SVE

PS
And if you haven't yet... have a go at stop motion animation.
Animis opibusque parati
meerme
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2014 1:50 pm

Re: What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr

Post by meerme »

DC17C wrote: she'd like to use Adobe photoshop now and I am not sure how best to do that as it seems to need an ongoing subscription- if any has any recommendations that would be great. :D
SunlampVexesEel wrote:Nothing compares to PhotoShop but it is ££££.
I'm late to this thread, but you should check out Gimp. It's free.
DC17C
Posts: 1197
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:34 pm

Re: What next, after Minecraft for a tech savvy, creative Yr

Post by DC17C »

meerme wrote:
DC17C wrote: she'd like to use Adobe photoshop now and I am not sure how best to do that as it seems to need an ongoing subscription- if any has any recommendations that would be great. :D
SunlampVexesEel wrote:Nothing compares to PhotoShop but it is ££££.
I'm late to this thread, but you should check out Gimp. It's free.
Thank you I will see if that helps. DD has just found out she will be doing computing GCSE as there was some concern it might not run if not enough takers. Relieved the school has decided to run it for the 13 girls who want to do it. :)
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