In today’s age, it is important to have a basic understanding of computer programming. Although not everyone will become a computer programmer as a result, it is helpful these days to understand how computers and various software applications run code behind the scenes; plus, troubleshooting esoteric messages becomes much easier with some computer programming essentials under your belt. Without a doubt, it can be difficult to teach coding skills, but if fun and engaging tools are introduced it won’t be too bad. Thinking like a programmer does involve problem solving, but it can enhance creative confidence and inventive learning. In this webinar: • Learn the basics of some visual programming languages like Scratch, Hopscotch, App Inventor, Raptor and others. • Understand basic code syntax to gain important mathematical, computational, and creative thinking concepts through playful learning! • Discover alternative tools and applications to give people practice programming while having fun! • Gain other programming ideas, computing devices, and apps to help children & young adults thrive in a world based on technology.

2. Agenda:
• Learn the basics of some visual programming languages like Scratch,
Hopscotch, App Inventor, Raptor and others.
• Understand basic code syntax to gain important mathematical,
computational, and creative thinking concepts through playful learning!
• Discover alternative tools and applications to give people practice
programming while having fun!
• Gain other programming ideas, computing devices, and apps to help
children & young adults thrive in a world based on technology

3. Is coding a cryptic visual of typed languages?
Or a process? Or both?

4. Describe in natural language how to make
a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

5. Why learn to code?
• Why not?
• Learn the importance of clarity/brevity of expression.
• Be able to think and problem solve more accurately.
• Have a better understanding of how technology works.
• Create a tool that can make your life and many others’ lives easier.
• It can be fun!!

6. What is computer programming?
• A set of commands a computer understands – like a recipe.
• Computer programs can help cure diseases; drive cars; create video
games; make animated movies/graphics; build websites and apps; and
much more.
• Basic coding concepts are used by most every program and most every
programmer.
• To learn more visit http://www.bfoit.org/itp/Programming.html

7. .mit.edu
Scratch is a programming language for everyone. Create
interactive stories, games, music and art and share them online.

8. Play and/or remix it! https://goo.gl/9ERZIJ
Create video motion games!

9. https://www.scratchjr.org/

10. https://github.com/LLK/scratch-flash

11. How does moving blocks around teach
programming?
Learn more at: http://scratched.gse.harvard.edu/

12. Program robots etc.!
http://snap.berkeley.edu/
www.finchrobot.com/loanprogram

13. A Snap! user can create new control structures, such as
a for loop (which isn’t built into the language), by writing a
script as shown at the left. Once the for block is created, it
can be used even to make nested loops, as shown in the
center. A sprite carries out that script at the right.
More info: http://snap.berkeley.edu/about.html

14. http://snap.berkeley.edu/
Use devices with

15. http://s4a.cat/
Scratch for Arduino
http://snap4arduino.org/

16. https://www.gethopscotch.com/
http://hop.sc/hopscotchcurriculum

17. What is App Inventor?
A web-based app development tool that allows
non-developers to create Android apps.
Using it is like putting a puzzle together.

18. App Inventor resembles …
Scratch LEGO MINDSTORMS

19. http://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu

20. https://lightbot.com/

22. Download it for free and get great handouts at
http://raptor.martincarlisle.com
RAPTOR is a flowchart-based
programming environment.
DEMO

23. A program is an ordered set of instructions that tells a
computer to perform the tasks in a pre-arranged
manner.
A variable name is actually a location in memory. By
naming the location, one is able to store and retrieve
data from that location.

25. Article available at: http://bit.ly/2o1Y26i

26. Article available at: https://goo.gl/wodCa

27. A Few Basic Programming Components
• Variables & Arrays
• Operators
• Flow Control
• Functions
Slide courtesy of Brian Pichman

28. Variables & Arrays
• A variable is a bucket that holds one piece of information. A
variable can change value when
• Specific conditions are met
• Based on user input
• Examples (concept)
• $string_myhomelibrary = “Montgomery Library”;
• $numeric_variable= 100;
• $myname = “Brian”;
Slide courtesy of Brian Pichman

29. Variables & Arrays
• An array is a type of variable (or bucket) that holds many pieces of
information.
• Example (language doesn’t matter here; the concept does):
• $FavoriteCities = array(“Orlando”, “Boulder”, “Miami”)
• $FavoriteCities[0] holds “Orlando”
• $FavoriteCities [1] holds “Boulder”
• $States = array(“1” => “Prime”; “FL”=> “Florida”, “CO” => “Colorado”)
• $States[“FL”] holds “Florida”
Slide courtesy of Brian Pichman

30. Operators
• Arithmetic
+, -, *, / (add, subtract, multiply, divide)
• Assignment
= (assign the value of 2 to the variable called v)
$v = 2;
+= (“Add the value of 3 to the variable that already holds 1”)
$v += 3; // $a now holds 5
Slide courtesy of Brian Pichman

31. Flow Control - Sequence
• Reads like a book, the instructions are executed in the same order
they where given:
• OPEN the door
• WALK inside the room
• SIT on a chair
• PICKUP a book
• READ the book.
Slide courtesy of Brian Pichman

32. Flow Control - Choice
• If Then
if (something is true/conditions are met) {
then do this
}
• If Then Else
• Else: XYZ
• Starts the same as “If Then” but allows a result if condition is false
• Else If
if (something is true/conditions are met) {
then do this
} elseif (another something is true/conditions are met) {
then do this instead
}
Slide courtesy of Brian Pichman

33. Flow Control - Continual
• With continual, instructions are executed based on variables, commands,
outputs, etc … as they remain true
• While (or repeat)
while (something is true) {
do something here
}
• for
for (something is true) {
do something here
}
Slide courtesy of Brian Pichman

34. Flow Control – Putting It Together
• 1) Sequence
• Go to the library
• Check out a book
• Read the book
• Return the book
• 2) Choice
• If you have a library card, you can check out books. Otherwise open a library card account.
• 3) Repeat
• Continue to read the book till there are no more pages.
Slide courtesy of Brian Pichman

35. Functions
• A function is type of procedure or routine and usually returns a value.
• A procedure preforms an operation, but typically doesn’t provide a value.
• Most languages have pre-built or pre-defined functions in its library.
• For instance, the “delete” function means to “remove”. You don’t have to
code what “remove” does; only what to remove.
Defining a function in Python

36. Other ways to learn coding
and have fun doing it!

37. Kano OS powered by Raspberry Pi
https://kano.me

38. https://world.kano.me/projects

39. http://getfirebug.com/
See how things on the Web work behind the scenes using …

40. Ozobot
http://www.ozobot.com/

41. Lego WeDo / Lego Mindstorms

42. Sphero
http://www.sphero.com/

43. Dash and Dot
https://www.makewonder.com/

44. Interact with the real world
using the Tickle App
https://tickleapp.com
Learn to program Arduino, drones, robots, connected
toys, and smart home devices, all wirelessly.

45. pinocc.io

46. Read more at http://goo.gl/Hgy16A

47. Some great resources to help you learn to code

48. .com
Learn to code interactively, for free.

49. http://www.oeconsortium.org/

50. https://www.coursera.org/

51. https://www.codeavengers.com/

52. https://www.khanacademy.org

53. https://teamtreehouse.com/

54. https://www.codeschool.com/

55. Image source: http://goo.gl/6rRJ8s

56. http://coderdojo.com

57. Coding Resources
• Lightbot is a programming puzzle game that gives the user a one-to-one relationship with programming concepts. Try it today
at http://light-bot.com/!
• Hopscotch: Coding for Kids is an iPad programming language. Download it today at https://www.gethopscotch.com/ .
• Code.org wants to bring Computer Science classes to every K-12 school. Check it out at http://code.org/ and find some
excellent computer programming tutorials.
• Scratch helps children create stories, games, animations, and also lets them share these projects with others around the world.
More info at http://scratch.mit.edu/.
• www.scratchjr.org is a free iPad app that brings coding to students as young as age five.
• www.kodable.com gives children opportunities to program in order to solve puzzles. http://www.allcancode.com is similar.
• Visit Medium for a “2 minute read” listing other ideas and resources to help inspire children and teens to code.
• There are several MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course) and other freely available resources that offer computer programming
classes. Coursera, Udacity, and Edx are great examples. Also, Khan Academy has some great resources for kids and adults too!
• A Google search query for computer programming resources for kids limited to the last year can be found at
http://goo.gl/RaUups.

58. http://www.slideshare.net/chadmairn
@cmairn

59. Contact me!