Coding tools

micro:bit

The BBC Micro:bit is a small computing device for children. One of the languages it understands is the popular Python programming language. Micro:bit Python Editor is a simple browser-based code editor, designed to help teachers and learners get the most out of text-based programming on the Micro:bit.

Scratch

Scratch is a free block-based visual programming language and online community where users can create interactive stories, games, and animations. It was developed by the MIT Media Lab and is designed to be easy to use, even for beginners.

SCRATCH JR

Scratch Jr is a free programming app designed for children ages 5-7. Scratch Jr offers features that allow young children to learn coding concepts and logical reasoning skills, including storytelling and problem-solving skills. With Scratch Jr, children can create their own characters, backgrounds, and sounds, and they can also share their projects with others within the app. Scratch Jr is available as a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. .

CODE.ORG

The home of Hour of Code, Code.org incudes interactive tutorials and projects for all ages, staring off with block coding before moving into Javascript, HTML and CSS. It’s a comprehensive resource, perfect for learning to code in the classroom or at home.

mBlock

mBlock is a STEAM programming software tool designed for programming for kids. It is developed based on Scratch 3.0 and Arduino code. It supports block-based and text-based programming languages. Moreover, in the mBlock Community, children are able to share projects and learn from the like-minded.

CODE MONSTER

Code Monster teaches kids Javascript programming through fun, interactive sessions with a cute, blue monster. The simple screen presents two boxes side-by-side – children code in one box and the result of their code is displayed in the other box. Code Monster also has a sister site called Code Maven that teaches teens and adults about Javascript through interactive lessons ..

KHAN ACADEMY

Khan Academy offers a clear instructive stream for kids wanting to learn how to code. Lessons are suitable for kids in the elementary/middle school grades, using Javascript language, they are quite detailed and a little technical. The site utilizes talk-throughs that kids can follow as they create their own programs in the site’s editor panel.

CODINGAME

CodinGame allows high schoolers to improve existing coding skills by exploring game play and creation. This free coding website helps students practice by solving puzzles, competing in coding battles, contributing to multi-player games, and learning coding in a variety of languages including C++, HTML, Java, Python, Ruby and Swift.

Gamestar Mechanic

Gamester Mechanic uses fun, game based quests to help coders learn game design, with the goal to code and share their own video games. Free to play and learn at home and school, it’s a popular choice in Information & Computer Technology classrooms. You will need to use  Gamestar Mechanic app that includes a built-in web browser that can connect only to gamestarmechanic.com and executes all code, including the Flash code of the Gamestar game player and editor, inside a secure sandbox environment.

Replit

Replit is an online integrated development environment (IDE) that allows users to write, run, and share code in various programming languages. It provides a collaborative coding environment with features such as code editing, debugging, version control, and project management. Replit supports a wide range of programming languages, including but not limited to Python, JavaScript, Ruby, C++, and many more. One of the key features of Replit is the ability to run code directly in the browser without the need for local installation of any software or dependencies. Users can create and share "repls", which are individual coding environments with their own code and runtime, making it easy to collaborate and showcase code projects. 

Blockly

Blockly teaches kids to code through a series of block programming puzzles. For each puzzle, kids drag and drop blocks of code to solve a specific challenge. Blockly is a simple tool created for children who have not had any prior experience with computer programming. Children need to be able to read independently to progress through the puzzles without adult assistance. 

CODEPEN

CodePen is an online community platform that allows developers to experiment and share their creations with others. It provides a convenient and collaborative environment for coding in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, allowing developers to see the immediate result of their code in real-time. Users can create, edit, and save their work as "pens," which can then be shared with others using short URLs. CodePen also has a vast library of pre-built templates, snippets, and plugins that simplify the development process.

Code for Life

Designed for use with students in primary school through to high school, Code for Life teaches everything from basic coding principles through to coding through game play using Blockly and later, Python. A library of comprehensive lesson plans offers a great resource for teachers.