COPA Coders is a great way for your student to connect with others who are excited and engaged in coding at their school and in our community. We encourage students in the clubs and our ninjas in the dojo to share their passion and experience to help teach each other.
Sometimes, your student will find they want to accelerate their learning and dive more deeply into coding. Many students have used and recommended the following apps. While we can’t officially endorse any of these, we do have experience with them and find they all provide excellent value even when only using their free-tier. Please let us know what you think about any of these and if you recommend any others so we can include them.
Level 1: ScratchJr
ScratchJr is a revolutionary educational app that introduces programming concepts to young learners aged 5 to 7 years old. It provides a vibrant and graphical programming environment where kids can create interactive stories, games, and animations, all while learning the foundational skills of coding.
Designed with young minds in mind, ScratchJr’s interface is child-friendly, colorful, and intuitive. The app uses block-based programming, which allows children to drag and drop visual code blocks to construct their projects. Each block represents a different function or action, making coding understandable even for pre-readers. Kids learn to think sequentially, use logical reasoning, and employ problem-solving skills without the intimidation of complex code syntax.
The app thrives on its simplicity and engaging content. By snapping together coding blocks, children learn how to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. As they play with ScratchJr, they are not only taught programming basics but also encouraged to develop their computational thinking – an essential skill in today’s digital world.
ScratchJr’s educational merits are evident. It creates an explorative sandbox where trial and error lead to learning moments, fostering an enjoyable and memorable experience. Collaboration is another key feature, as ScratchJr allows children to work together on projects, promoting teamwork and communication.
Since its inception, ScratchJr has been lauded for making the abstract concept of coding concrete and accessible for young learners. Funded by various educational research grants and developed by experts at MIT, Tufts University, and Playful Invention Company – it comes with a strong pedigree and a mission to democratize the learning of code.
As a free app, ScratchJr provides remarkable value. It requires no previous coding skills from either kids or adults, making it a perfect starting point for children to dip their toes into the digital creation pool. ScratchJr is not just an app; it’s a stepping stone to the vast world of computer science, and it manages this in a way that is fun, supportive, and incredibly empowering for young children.
| Application | Apple App Store Google Play Store Amazon appstore |
| Target Ages | 5-7 years old |
| Cost | Free |
Level 2. CodeMonkey
CodeMonkey is a captivating and interactive online platform that stands out as a stellar resource for children eager to embark on their coding journey. Specifically designed to engage kids from kindergarten through the 8th grade, CodeMonkey offers an intuitive and playful approach to learning the basics of coding. The platform utilizes a game-based curriculum that not only teaches programming concepts but also focuses on developing problem-solving skills and logical thinking.
Upon visiting CodeMonkey, youngsters are greeted with whimsically designed challenges that guide them through a progressive learning path. What makes it particularly appealing is the storyline that evolves as children complete coding tasks, providing a strong motivational hook to keep them learning and exploring further. This sense of gamification transforms what could be a daunting learning curve into an adventurous quest for knowledge.
At its core, CodeMonkey embraces a real coding environment, differing from other platforms that often rely on drag-and-drop interfaces. Here, children write actual lines of code, usually starting with CoffeeScript, a beginner-friendly language. This leads to a more authentic experience and can seamlessly transition young coders to more complex programming languages in the future.
While CodeMonkey offers an impressive number of free lessons and challenges, the availability of paid plans significantly expands the resource pool, unlocking a broader array of lessons and projects. These premium options cater to individual learners and families and can scale up to accommodate school district-wide implementations, making CodeMonkey a versatile tool suitable for various educational settings.
As an educational platform, CodeMonkey excels in making coding accessible and enjoyable. Its combination of a game-like interface with genuine coding practices makes it an invaluable aid for homeschoolers and educators seeking to instill vital tech skills in children. In a world increasingly driven by technology, tools like CodeMonkey are paramount, enabling younger generations to not just consume digital content, but also to understand and create it.
| Application | Website |
| Target Ages | 5-14 years old |
| Cost | Free, Paid plans from $4-6 per student |
Level 3. Sololearn
Sololearn offers a unique, community-driven platform to fuel your coding education, whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to expand your coding knowledge. With an assortment of interactive lessons, Sololearn caters to learners of various ages, primarily targeting teens and adults.
The SoloLearn app and website shine with a sleek interface that simplifies the learning process. Newbies can delve into the world of coding with courses ranging from HTML and JavaScript to more advanced languages like Python and C#. Each lesson is bite-sized, making complex topics digestible and ensuring that no one feels overwhelmed. As you progress, interactive challenges and quizzes reinforce your learning, cementing concepts crucial to becoming fluent in code.
Users praise the engaging nature of Sololearn’s gamified approach. Earning points and certificates as you complete modules adds to a sense of accomplishment. The competitive streak amongst learners is also catered to with a leaderboard, motivating you to sharpen your skills to climb up the ranks. For those who thrive in collaborative environments, the platform hits the mark with its active community where you can share code, engage in discussions, and receive feedback.
Interestingly, Sololearn is more than just a collection of coding lessons; it fosters a coding culture. The app allows you to tweak existing code, experiment on the go, and immediately view the outcomes of your edits within its Code Playground, instilling a practical understanding that’s often missing in traditional education.
On the downside, while Sololearn is free to start, unlocking its full potential requires a Pro subscription. Nonetheless, the free content alone offers substantial value for those just dipping their toes into coding waters.
In conclusion, Sololearn is a comprehensive resource for coding education that favors action-based learning. It welcomes novices into the world of programming with open arms and continues to engage them at every level of their development journey, making code not just accessible but genuinely enjoyable.
| Application | Website (most features) Apple App Store Google Play Store |
| Target Ages | 13+ years old |
| Cost | Free, Pro at $12.99/mo or $69.99/year |