Resources for Coding
- Free Online Websites/Courses
- Free Courses in Person
- Paid Online Courses
- Paid Courses in Person
- Books
- Toys and Robots
- Advanced Online Resources
- Girl Scouts
- Submit Suggestions
- Scratch—You can move customizable characters (“sprites”) around on a screen. This block-based coding language is a perfect introduction to the way programmers think. Create your own game or use one of the guided challenges that show you what to do. Scratch can use user-input and can be as simple or complex as you want.
- Khanacademy—Khanacadamy has a course you can work through that teaches you to code in Javascript, a text-based coding language. Again, this is based on results that print to a screen. Eventually, you can learn to create complicated, interactive programs.
- Codeacademy—Offers both Basic (free) and Pro (paid) courses in multiple programming languages, as well as advanced options.
- Code.org—Free online platform that teaches coding in a variety of different languages. It also has an hour of code course.
- Amazon Future Engineer—During the current pandemic, Amazon is offering free access to courses with their partners.
- Girls Who Code—Organization that aims to close the gender gap in programming. It has several club curriculums, and there may be a club near you. Some clubs may be virtual.
- ID Tech—This can be expensive, but they have several interesting courses in a variety of difficulties.
- ID Tech—This can be expensive, but they have several interesting courses in a variety of difficulties.
- Coding Projects in Python—Book with Python coding activities that get progressively more difficult.
- Coding Games in Scratch—Book with ideas and explanations for coding games using an online block-based programing platform.
- Learning Resources Code and Go Mouse—A toy where one can program directions using arrow buttons, in the shape of a mouse.
- Wonder Workshop Dash—A programmable robot toy that uses block-based coding and can also be piloted remotely with an iPad.
- Dr. Java—An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that is used for Java programming. I recommend it for those who want to program on their own in Java, without much guidance. This requires installation, though, which can become fairly lengthy. Make sure to install Java on your computer.
- Github—Excellent for communication and collaboration on code, and very well known among programmers.
- Git—I’ve used Git to code in Python before. It has an interesting layout using several cells that can work together, and it works well for coding Neural Networks if you want to try that.
- Repl—Online coding environment that supports input and output files and a lot of languages, including Python, Java, C++, HTML, and more. You can create a free account, but your programs will be public unless you pay.
- Trinket—Platform that allows you to program in Python online, with no downloads to your computer. You can create a free account.
Think Like A Programmer—Learn how programmers solve problems by participating in interactive computational thinking activities and complete a Take Action project. Complete the Think Like A Programmer Virtual Journey!
1. Visit classroom.google.com
2. Sign in to google
3. Click the + in the top right corner to join a class
4. Enter classroom code
Daisies (grades K-1) vcwtgqt
Brownies (grades 2-3) 4ibal7x
Juniors (grades 4-5) i7m6kex
Cadettes (grades 6-8) jkr7pmb
Seniors (grades 9-10) 5surb5j
Amabassadors (grades 11-12) uqcfd74