Introduction
This page contains links to useful resources for Code The City’s Young Coders sessions. If you see a broken link, let one of the mentors know! and we’ll fix it.
What is coding or programming?
When people speak about coding or programming what do they mean? This video is a simple introduction.
This further video, “What is Code” gives you a little more explanation.
And this beginner-friendly glossary explains what some of the terms you will hear actually mean.
What goes on inside a computer? Find out here.
Computers operate using Algorithms. What is an algorithm?
One popular algorithm in computing is the sort algorithm. How could you sort the books in a library with an algorithm?
This beginners guide to coding has some useful resources.
How to build webpages in HTML
The web is built on HTML and CSS.
- Lissa Explains It All http://www.lissaexplains.com/basics.shtml
- Five projects to get you started: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/codeclub/webdev-module-1
- And another six to build your skills: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/codeclub/webdev-module-2
- Here are three linked projects to develop your HTML and CSS skills further: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/coderdojo/21
- And these three HTML / CSS projects are directed at social innovation: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/coderdojo/html-css-for-social-enterprise
- Here are a bunch more projects to try: https://www.mvcode.com/platforms/html
The W3 Schools have great resources:
Similarly, the Code Academy has great content on HTML, CSS and loads more. Some courses are Pro (ie paid for ) but most are free to access:
Also, Udemy has a 6-hour free HTML / CSS course with exercises:
Starting Out? Try Scratch!
Scratch is great way to begin learning to code. It allows you to make cool programs using a drag-and-drop approach and is designed to be fun!
Scratch website
Here is where to find Scratch https://scratch.mit.edu
You can use the online platform for free, or download a version for Windows or Mac OSX. Both options work well.
If you use it online, ask a parent or carer to help you set up an account. That way you can save your work, create a gallery of your best projects and show them off to family, friends and teachers
Scratch Books
- Free online book: Book of Scratch, vol 1
- Scratch Programming Playground – free online book: https://inventwithscratch.com/book/
Scratch Videos
- Scratch Blocks in 60 seconds. These short videos explain each of the scratch blocks in quick, easy-to-understand explainers.
- And here are twenty more videos giving your projects based on Al Sweigarts’s Book of Scratch, above.
Scratch projects
- There are four modules here that are a lot of fun.
- These eleven projects are aimed at Scratch newbies:
https://www.mvcode.com/courses/intro-to-scratch-1st-2nd-grade - The Scratch website has a set of 12 sets of downloadable activity cards with 90 projects to work on. You can access them here. Watch out – one of the sets contains all 12 of the others Scratch Cards All.
- Here are three more advanced Scratch projects will develop your skills: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/coderdojo/35
- You can help raise awareness of important issues using these Scratch projects! https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/coderdojo/scratch-for-social-enterprise
- Want develop interactive games in Scratch. These linked projects will build up your skills:
https://www.mvcode.com/courses/intro-to-scratch-game-development
Here are a bunch more things to try: https://www.mvcode.com/platforms/scratch
Want to move on? Try Python!
Python is a powerful, yet easy to learn language that is used is every field of science. If you’ve outgrown Scratch, we suggest trying Python!
CTC’s – Introduction to Python – we’ve developed these exercises to cover most of the basics of Python. They use Repl.it – an online platform – which avoids having to wrestle with installing Python on your device.
This 5 hour-long video is a great resource. Break it into sections and allow at least as long again to practise all of the exercises.
The W3 Schools have some useful python tutorials:
- Python on W3 Schools
- Invent your own games with Python (free online book): http://inventwithpython.com/invent4thed/
- These modules will help you develop your skills and build some fun projects:
Automate the boring stuff!
Al Sweigart created a great book called Automate The Boring Stuff With Python.
- Read the book for free on the author’s site https://automatetheboringstuff.com and you can buy a print copy if you want to reward the author!
- And there are fifteen videos based on the book that you can watch to learn more.
Editing python code
There are loads of code editors for Python. We’ve installed the MU code editor on our code club laptops. While this is aimed at beginners it is a very useful editor in its own right. Look for the logo
- Here are some Tutorials: https://codewith.mu/en/tutorials/
- If you want to install it at home, here it is: https://codewith.mu/
Try some Javascript
Javascript is a very popular language underpinning many websites. It adds functionality and interactivity to HTML and CSS.
You can learn more on these sites:
- W3 Schools: https://www.w3schools.com/js/default.asp
- Hack Club has a progressive series of workshops you can use https://hackclub.com/workshops/
- Code Monster – an easy introduction: http://www.crunchzilla.com/code-monster
Here are a bunch more Javascript projects to test your skills
- MV Code projects: https://www.mvcode.com/platforms/javascript
Can I code on an Ipad?
Yes – with Hopscotch: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hopscotch-coding-for-kids/id617098629?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Or use this to programme a robot to move around using Cargobot:
Creating Apps for mobile phones?
If you have a mobile phone or sometimes use a parent’s one, you’ll have used Apps: small self-contained programmes that work on a small screen. You can try building your own.
- Try the MIT App Inventor: http://appinventor.mit.edu
Note: you will need an email address or be able to use a parent’s or guardian’s one! - Here are three projects that you can build using App Inventor: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/coderdojo/app-inventor-for-social-enterprise
Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi is an amazing thing – a whole computer on a single board. It is much less expensive than buying a laptop or a desktop computer, yet can do almost anything that a bigger machine can do. It even fits in your pocket.
- Raspberry Pi Cheat Sheet: https://opensource.com/downloads/getting-started-raspberry-pi-cheat-sheet?src=raspberry_pi_resource_menu3&intcmp=701f2000000h4RcAAI
- The Raspberry Pi foundation has some cool projects: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/codeclub/raspberry-pi
- Getting started with Minecraft Pi: https://opensource.com/life/15/5/getting-started-minecraft-pi
Blender and Unity
Blender is a great tool for creating images and designs. Unity is a very powerful 3D development environment.
- Try these Blender projects to get started: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/projects?software%5B%5D=blender
- And these Unity projects to develop your 3d world! https://www.mvcode.com/platforms/unity-5
Data
Understanding data is a key skill that we all need. Here are some excellent resources to get started.
- School of Data: https://schoolofdata.org/courses/
- Data Journalism: http://datadrivenjournalism.net/resources
- SQL intro: https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/sql
- The Data Lab’s Data Science for Schools: https://www.thedatalab.com/schools/
- Python for Data Journalists: https://datajournalism.com/watch/python-for-journalists
- The ONS’s Guide to Statistics is advanced but really useful.
AI and Coding
- A list of AI Coding and Programming Tools
Moving onto Computing
After you’ve worked you way through the above, you’re probably ready to look at computing science concepts. You can find a list of online courses on offer from many leading universities.
- Freecodecamp offer a list of 450 Ivy League courses – all for free.
Header image by Chris Ried on Unsplash
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