Programming really is one of the most valuable skills you could possibly possess in today’s technology-filled world. Every chance you get to learn knew ways to code can only help. And I think it is safe to say the earlier you start the better chance you will have later on of becoming proficient at it. That is why Apple, Microsoft, and Google have been working on new ways of introducing computer science to young students. Apps that combine the fun of video games with the discipline of coding offer a means of teaching valuable skills. Besides apps, I am sure a lot of you know about the popular mini-computer Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi allows you to experiment with integrated circuits and various electronic components as well as programming in JAVA, C, and C++. As a big fan of educational software, I can only hope these methods become more prevalent in schools and homes. In this day and age I think we can certainly marry technology with learning to achieve some truly remarkable results.
Apple debuted a new tutorial app for iPads called Swift Playgrounds that will ship this fall. Students learn basic programming instructions to control an animated character named Byte, like writing for loops that get Byte to repeat his gem-collecting actions.
Microsoft is testing Minecraft Education Edition, a school-specific variation of its immensely popular video game. Schools already have embraced Minecraft’s blocky and endlessly adaptable virtual worldto teach everything from math to art history, but it’s particularly popular because curious and motivated kids often teach themselves to take advantage of Minecraft’s programmability.
With the $35 Raspberry Pi, a capable computer the size of a credit card, schools and students can tinker with hardware without breaking the bank. The Raspberry Pi’s core purpose is to get more students into programming, but it does so by offering hands-on physical activities like controlling LED lights and gathering weather data from electronic sensors.
Source: C|NET
