As internet and electronic devices are becoming increasingly important to today’s society, the ability to code computer programs became a part of new literacy standard of 21st century. Programming prompts children to think logically, creatively, reason systematically and work collaboratively.

With that idea in mind, a lot of elementary school and junior high schools across the country started computer coding classes as one of the regular courses alongside Math and English. So this week, The Feather staff introduce several basic programming apps and online coding courses.

Scratch

Scratch is an introductory coding language created by MIT Scratch team that aims mainly to help ages 8 to 16 to get started with computer programing. It employs graphical programing blocks as basic units to give out command. The app allows children to create their own animations, games and simulators by simply dragging commanding blocks over to the coding area and form them in a certain structure.

When finished, a user can upload and share his/her projects with other users. Unlike most of the other online sharing systems, that of Scratch allows viewers to check out the “inside” of a project. It shows the actual programming structure so that users can learn from each other?s projects.

Scratch is available on both Windows and Mac OS.

ScratchJr

ScratchJr is a simplified version of Scratch designed to help ages 5-7 learn programming. MIT redesigned the interface and programming language to make them developmentally appropriate for younger children.

ScratchJr is available on iOS.

CS First

CS First is a program conducted by Google that provides free materials to facilitate children to learn programming. It provides complete video courses that teach children to make basic music videos, games and interactive stories with Scratch.

Google CS First also supports schools to begin in-school, after school and summer programs.

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For more featured apps, read the Jan. 9 article, Featured app: Octagon.