In the last post, I introduced you to Scratch, my favourite way to introduce students to the big wide world of computer programming. Scratch is a great platform to stick with for younger students or those new to coding, there really is a lot to explore!
However, if you have a few "advanced" users in your class or are working with high school level computer science students, they may need to move on to the next challenge -- making apps they can actually use on an Android phone or tablet!
This is where Scratch really shines as a springboard into the world of coding. The students will already be familiar with manipulating blocks of code using the jigsaw puzzle pieces in Scratch. This next environment uses basically the same format but with much more functionality.
Introducing MIT App Inventor! Made by the same amazing team, this web-based environment allows students to make their own apps that they can use on Android devices and share with their classmates, friends, or even the world! Can you imagine the possibilities? Students can even work in groups as entrepreneurs to create apps they can then market and sell -- what a fantastic multi-faceted learning opportunity!
You and your students simply go here and click on "CREATE!" to login to the FREE service by using your Google accounts (I hope you're all using GoogleDrive already... right? If not, tsk, tsk! Go do that first!). If you're already familiar with Scratch, it's an easy transition, just be sure to watch the tutorial videos under "Guide" and as with Scratch, there is also an educator community to support your journey! Thank you again, MIT!
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