Useful websites
Contents |
Important blog entries
Emma Mulqueeny on How to initiate kids (or anyone) in coding
Anna Debenham on coding in schools
Anna Debenham on Running code workshops in schools
A new IT GCSE is in development
Leading tech firms launch programmes in London to inspire youngsters
A post about learning by the Mozilla Foundation
Keri Facer, Manchester Metropolitan University - 'BBC Micro Project'
Emma Mulqueeny guest post on Cabinet Office blog [1]
Campaigning organisations
Computing at School (their wiki) : Grass roots organisation campaigning about teaching computing in UK schools (part of the British Computer Society)
Onsite training
Apps for Good : From CDI_Europe
Online programming resources
Wikipedia list of educational programming languages
W3Schools : Online training for a large number of computer languages (not the best resource there is see W3Fools)
HTML5 Doctor : Excellent resource for HTML5
Try Ruby : Learn Ruby in your web browser
Google Code University : Google HTML, CSS and JavaScript University
Google's online Android App Builder
Hackassaurus : Web page creator
Scratch from MIT : Code games or art easily online
Alice : A 3D story building programming environment
Greenfoot : Visual tool to teach the Java language
Happy Fun Coding : Learn to program games in Javascript
Stencyl : Learn to write games in using Flash
PixieEngine : Create games online
Play My Code : Online game creator
Code Academy : Learn to code online with your friends and track your progress against theirs!
Open Classroom : Open Classroom from Stanford University
MIT STEP : Scheller Teacher Education Program at MIT (blog, several projects, etc)
Project Euler : Interesting computing challenges
Openbook Project : A set of lessons to learn Python
Codingbat : Java and Python exercises
YOUSRC : YOUSRC free learn-to-code resource
App Inventor Mobile development for Android phones
Waterbear Browser based visual programming framework for multiple real world programming languages (javascript, arduino) Alpha
If This Then That
Dick Baldwin : Computer Programming for Homeschool Students and Other Beginners
JSDabbler: A free online playground for learning programming with Javascript as a first language.
Learn Python: A short beginner's class in programming using python.
Material from Mark Guzdial at Georgia Tech Guzdial's work is designed for university undergraduates, but has some interesting implications for teaching younger students. Comes in both Java-flavored and Python-flavored versions.
Outline from a virtual worlds course taught by Anthony Hursh at the University of Illinois (designed for working teachers who might not themselves be programmers or computer science specialists).
Academic Earth : Computer Science on Academic Earth
Free downloadable software
Edubuntu : A version of the very popular Ubuntu OS designed for education
Kids Ruby : Learn the Ruby programming language
Etoys from Squeakland : A visual code environment for young children
Sugar : Collaborative learning system via One Laptop Per Child
Hackety-Hack : Learn the Ruby language
Stagecast : Build your own games
Kojo : Download and learn programming, maths, science and art
Processing : Create complex works of art
Colobot : Teachers programming through gameplay
Unity 3D : Build high quality games
Edusim 3D electronic whiteboard software
SmallBasic : Child friendly programming language from Microsoft
Kodu Visual programming language for games
Blender Game Engine 3D games design with visual and python interfaces</br>
DreamSpark : Microsoft tools and projects - Kinect SDK, Windows SDK & emulator, Kodu, .NET Gadgeteer ...
Hackety Hack Programming for kids from the legendary (and sorely missed) Why the Lucky Stiff
The Inform 7 system for creating interactive fiction
Linden Scripting Language This is used for controlling Second Life/Open Sim. It's an ugly language (even its designer agrees :-) but lets you do some really powerful and impressive things.
Open Simulator Free server software that is more-or-less compatible with Second Life. Useful with Linden Scripting Language, above.
Open Cobalt Peer-to-peer based virtual world software (i.e., does not need a dedicated server).
Open Wonderland This is a Java-based 3D virtual world.
The Monkey Programming Language from the creator of Blitz Basic. The language can target multiple platforms, including HTML5, Android and iOS.
Blogs
Mindshift : Technology and education blog
@kidsruby : Kids Ruby
Podcasts
Interviews
Interview with Emma Mulqueeny at first CfKs barcamp
Interview with Hannah and Charlotte at CfKs barcamp
Interview with Kirsten Campbell-Howes at CfKs barcamp
Interview with Katy Beale at CfKs barcamp
Interview with Daniel Appelquist at CfKs barcamp
Books
Program or Be Programmed : Douglas Rushkoff
Newspapers and Magazines
Scrunchup : A web developer magazine for young people
Times Ed forum on ICT
Games
Primer : A code-writing action game
Hardware
LEGO Mindstorms : Easily build your own hardware and write drag-and-drop software to control it
Raspberrypi : An ARM based Linux computer for £20
Picoboard : Allows hardware connection to Scratch
.NET Gadgeteer kit
.NET Gadgeteer
Arduino : Open source hardware (PDF comic intro)
Developer Apprenticeships
One of the problems is that, even if we fixed the school curriculum tomorrow, there is a generation of kids that are leaving school with no coding experience at all, and now they want to enter the workforce. This is where Apprenticeships can come in, by getting young people (normally 16-21ish) into Developer Apprentice roles, giving them the industry training they need to get started, together with gaining work experience and real world skills.
There aren't many Developer Apprenticeships out there, but QA now offer both Java and C# Apprenticeships. The Apprenticeship includes a highly practical programming boot camp early on, and then training throughout to help apprentices move on to more advanced concepts. If you're in the industry and you're passionate about growing the next generation of Developers, maybe you should offer an Developer Apprenticeship position. Or if you're struggling to catch your first break as a Developer, then apply for one of the Apprenticeship roles.
Check out the QA website at: [2]
Professional bodies
E-Skills : The UK IT Skills Sector Council
The British Computer Society
The Information Technologists' Company : London IT livery company
STEMNET - creates opportunities to inspire young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Behind the Screen - sets out to establish a brand new academic curriculum
