12 Best Hour of Code Resources

Yesterday I wrote about Hour of Code - what it is and why it is important. Today, I will share some of the favorite Hour of Code resources used by Walled Lake Consolidated Schools teachers and students. Thank you, Amy Stasak, for compiling these links!

On code.org/learn:

Code with Elsa and Anna http://hourofcode.com/frzn

Write Your First Computer Program (Angry Bird) http://hourofcode.com/code

PlayLab: http://studio.code.org/s/playlab/stage/1/puzzle/1

Flappy Bird: http://studio.code.org/flappy/1

Tynker: http://www.tynker.com/hour-of-code/

Scratch Hour of Code: http://scratch.mit.edu/hoc2014/

LightBot: http://lightbot.com/hoc2014.html

CodeCombat: http://codecombat.com/?hour_of_code=true

Khan Academy Hour of Drawing: https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/hour-of-code/hour-of-code-tutorial/v/welcome-hour-of-code

CodeMonkey: http://www.playcodemonkey.com/challenges/0

Bitsbox: https://bitsbox.com/hoc.html

MakeSchool/Make Games With Us: http://hoc.makeschool.com/build-an-iphone-game-in-your-browser/

Google CS First: http://www.cs-first.com/create

Blockly Games: https://blockly-games.appspot.com/

Made With Code Google: https://www.madewithcode.com/projects

My Challenge to YOU: Spend One Hour Learning to Code

student participating in the Hour of  Code at Sarah Banks Middle School

It's wonderful to see the momentum increasing from "Hour of Code." The energy and excitement seems to have grown tenfold since last year's Hour of Code! 

The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in over 180 countries. The organizers challenge students to try an Hour of Code sometime this week (December 8-14, 2014). 

Why? Coding helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any career.

Brian Heese (2014) writes: 'when you learn computer programming, you learn how to check your work for details, how to apply logic and how to persist at a task. You also learn how to ask a good question, often in written form. Finally, you learn how to collaborate because much programming today is accomplished in teams. These timeless skills and learning behaviors will endure far longer than any programming language.' (from Edutopia: Coded for Success)

Coding is not just for AP Computer Science classes. It's for everyone between the ages of 4-104. You probably fit in this category. There are tons of excellent resources and tutorials at code.org. 

After last year's hour of code, I set a goal for myself to jump on board and give it a go. I downloaded the Kodable app on my iPad as a first step.  I had a difficult time with it at first until I got the hang of it. This is very embarrassing to admit because this is an app that preschoolers use! After the first moments I spent frustrated, I soon figured out what I was supposed to do. Of course, if I had read the directions, it would have been easier, but what's the fun in that? The point is, anyone can do it! 

I am going to continue my learning this week for at least an hour. I plan to use the materials on the Khan Academy site. 

If this old gal can do it, you can, too. 

"The quickest way to become an old dog is to stop learning new tricks." ~ John Rooney.