Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Hour of Code

Computer coding is where it's at. No matter whether it's Minecraft, aps, robotics, or healthcare, knowing how to code is becoming essential to modern innovation, and innovation is where the jobs of the future will be.

I learned the first building blocks of coding when I was small, using Logo Writer and Basic. It was neat watching the programs that I wrote 'on the flip side' turn into a zooming turtle that formed flashing circle shapes. As I began to homeschool my children, I looked for similar programs for them. Though I found Logo Writer and all of its latest versions, including Snap and Scratch (both free), they just didn't seem to jive well with my kids. 
Enter Hour of Code. This is a novel, completely free, completely online (no download needed) 20-level program that teaches those early basics of coding. With Angry Birds! And Plants v. Zombies! Can I get a fist bump?

So I completed my hour of code (Level 1). It took less than an hour, but a kid would need about that long to complete the puzzles. Everything is explained really well, using video and examples.

Here is the site for the Hour of Code

But here is my suggestion. If you think you MIGHT go on to more puzzles and videos (there are 20 levels), go to


instead. Create an account and THEN start the program. I didn't do that, so now that I have an account created, I'm going to have to go back and repeat my first hour. Not a big deal (it really is fun), but I'd rather use my time advancing rather than repeating.

So, there ya go! 

20-hours of coding instruction.
No downloads.
Completely free.

Now go get those pigs!



4 comments:

  1. This sounds great! And I love your style of writing. Thanks :)

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  2. This sounds great! I might have to try this with my son.

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  3. It's an awesome program. Kudos to the designers of it! I'll be writing another post soon about the next step to take after completion of Hour of Code. There are some other good FREE programs out there.

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