From Alice to Vidcode - the best free coding apps for tweens and teens
Engage students in your classroom with these free coding apps and websites. These tools can be used during Teen Tech Week, Computer Science Education Week's suggested Hour of Code, and beyond, giving students an intro to computer programming.
What are The Benefits of Coding for Teens?
Learning to code as a teen has a range of benefits, from encouraging creativity to increasing job prospects in the future.
1. Learning to code enhances problem-solving skills
When teens learn to code, they acquire problem-solving skills that are crucial in many aspects of life. Coding challenges them to think logically and systematically, which can translate into enhanced ability to tackle complex tasks and problems.
By developing these skills early on, teens can gain an edge in their future careers and personal endeavors.
2. Coding provides teens a competitive edge in the job market
In our digital age, coding skills are becoming a high-demand skill across many industries.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of software developers is projected to grow 22 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
A study from Code.org even indicates that there are more than 475,000 open computing jobs nationwide, but fewer than 50,000 computer science students graduated into the workforce last year. This gap between the demand for and supply of coding professionals suggests a vast landscape of opportunities for those with coding skills.
3. Coding encourages creativity and innovation
Learning to code is an inherently creative process that encourages teens to think outside the box. They learn to build digital worlds from scratch, design interactive games, and even create useful apps.
This ability to bring ideas to life fosters a sense of innovation, as they begin to see technology not just as something to consume, but as a tool they can use to shape the world around them.
4. Coding for teens cultivates persistence and resilience
The iterative process of coding, which often involves troubleshooting and overcoming obstacles, teaches young learners the importance of persistence.
When a code doesn't work as expected, they must demonstrate resilience, learn from their mistakes, and try again. This experience helps teens to develop a growth mindset and the ability to persevere in the face of challenges, qualities that will serve them well in all aspects of life.
5. Learning to code improves understanding of technology
As teens learn to code, they gain a deeper understanding of how technology works. This not only enables them to use technology more effectively but also to appreciate the underlying principles and mechanisms that drive the digital tools they use every day. As a result, they become more informed and discerning users of technology.
The Top 5 Coding Resources and Apps for Teens
We’ve researched the best coding for teens apps on the market. Here’s our official list of the top 5 apps and resources for teens to get into coding!
1. Vidcode
Vidcode is an award-winning coding platform and curriculum built around the things students love to do!
Vidcode provides a complete computer programming curriculum for 3rd to 12th grade, focused on creative coding, design thinking, and practical cross-disciplinary applications. Bite-sized tutorials are easy for non-technical teachers to implement, fun for students to code, and data-driven for analysis of student outcomes. Whatever students love, Vidcode can help them code it!
2. Alice
Alice is a desktop app developed by Carnegie Mellon. More advanced than other programming tools for kids, Alice teaches the fundamentals of programming in a 3D setting. This makes it ideal for teens.
While working in the app, students can see the code behind the projects they create on the screen. Programming concepts are learned while students create animated movies and basic video games that they can then share on the internet.
Note: Java runtime is needed for Alice.
3. App Inventor
App Inventor is a cloud-based tool maintained by MIT.
Much like the popular coding app Scratch, App Inventor has drag-and-drop coding blocks. However, App Inventor includes all methods, functions, and coding elements that a student would need to create an Android app. This makes it ideal for middle school kids and up. Students can build apps right in their web browser.
The website offers support, but there are no step-by-step instructions to guide students, another reason the tool is best for older students.
4. Codecademy
Codecademy is an interactive online tool that teaches coding fundamentals, Ruby, PHP, jQuery, Python, JavaScript, and more.
The tool is set up on a split screen so students get to see the code and the changes as they happen at the same time.
The sophistication and scope of this online tool makes it better suited for older students, middle grade and up.
5. Khan Academy
Like Codecademy, Khan Academy Khan Academy is an interactive online tool better suited for middle school students and above.
Khan Academy teaches coding fundamentals using JavaScript and ProcessingJS. Students will learn how to create animation, games, and drawings through programming. They'll learn how to make web pages using HTML and CSS. Students can then share their creations with other students and learn from each other.
Where to Find Live Coding Courses for Teens?
While online learning is great, some teens might prefer real-time courses with real tutors. Several organizations and institutions provide these live coding courses, including:
1. CodeWizardsHQ
CodeWizardsHQ offers online coding classes for kids and teens. The interactive, live classes and the structured curriculum can help students grasp coding concepts effectively.
2. iD Tech
iD Tech provides in-person and online coding classes for kids and teens. The courses are taught by tech-savvy teachers and cover a wide range of topics, from Python and Java to game development and AI.
3. Coder Kids
Coder Kids offers online and in-person coding classes for kids and teens. The courses cover a variety of programming languages and the small class sizes ensure individual attention.
4. Juni Learning
Juni Learning provides online coding classes for kids and teens. Classes are taught one-on-one or in small groups by experienced instructors.
5. Coding with kids
Coding with Kids offers coding classes for different age groups. The classes are project-based and are taught by experienced instructors.
How Can Teens Gain Real-World Coding Experience?
Teens can gain real-world coding experience through internships and coding boot camps, which often provide hands-on coding projects and opportunities to collaborate with other coders.
They can also participate in coding competitions or hackathons, which not only offer practical experience but also foster problem-solving skills.
Additionally, contributing to open-source projects can allow teens to work on real-world software development, improving their understanding of coding in a collaborative, professional setting.
Is your younger kid looking to get into coding? See TeacherVisions Top 5 Free Coding Tools for Kids!
