https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/programming/learn-python-visually
An interesting Kickstarter project:
Beautifully illustrated eBook that teaches Python programming through Metaphors, Quizzes and Game-like Interactive Exercises.
Monthly Archives: October 2014
NetLogo Modeling Commons
NetLogo is a fun free development environment that can be used with young learners. Here is a collection of models that have been shared to the NetLogo community.
Trinket: Teach Anything With Code
Trinket is an online environment for writing Python programs using a Blockly interface.
https://trinket.io/blocks/c1c530eeb8
Teaching Computer Science Better to get Better Results
http://computinged.wordpress.com/2014/10/15/we-need-to-fix-the-computer-science-teaching-problem/
The article’s hypothesis: We get poor results because we use ineffective teaching methods. If we want to teach CS more effectively, we need to learn and develop better methods. If we don’t strive for better methods, we’re not going to get better results.
Has some interesting links to methods to try.
CARDboard Illustrative Aid to Computation
http://hackaday.com/2014/10/14/a-clever-cardboard-computer/
This is from back in the 70’s but still should be useful. CARDIAC was designed as an educational tool to give people without access to computers the ability to learn how computers work.
Notice you can print out a version of your own!
Blog: TEACHER LEARNS TO CODE
http://teacherlearnstocode.com/
A teacher from Colorado who is writing this blog “to record my own journey with coding, and to give myself an outlet to process all the crazy new thinking I’m doing”
Good luck on her effort to learn to code!
4tronix robots for education – use Raspberry Pi’s
Interesting line of robots that make use of Raspberry Pi’s.
http://4tronix.co.uk/store/index.php?rt=product/manufacturer&manufacturer_id=14
COMPUTATIONAL THINKING WITH SCRATCH
http://scratched.gse.harvard.edu/ct/
“Computational thinking has received considerable attention over the past several years, but there are many perspectives on what computational thinking entails. We are interested in the ways that design-based learning activities — in particular, programming interactive media — support the development of computational thinking in young people. This site and its collection of instruments are designed for K-12 educators and researchers interested in supporting and assessing the development of computational thinking through programming. “
Ideas for Teaching Computer Technology to Kids 