Stop Teaching Children Code! by Michael C. Neel 

CodeStock to Technology Cooperative 

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A New Approach Is Needed… 

Understanding How I Learned 

Ownership 

Ownership • The computer must be the child's • The computer is kept by the child, and they can access it on their own • There should be no consequence to anyone but the child if it breaks • Something is better than nothing, but nothing beats a real machine 

The Child’s Pace 

The Child’s Pace • Do not reach for the keyboard • Do not reach for the keyboard • Do not make me say it again! • Wait for the question before giving the answer • Allow diversions • Be a grandmother! 

Not Understanding Is Okay 

Not Understanding Is Okay • Keep things moving • Don’t worry about asking if the child understands • It’s okay to give them working code to copy • Modifying and observing results is learning! 

It’s Not About Code 

It’s Not About Code • Code is a means to an end • Let that sink in • Find out the child’s interests and let that set the goal • Be ready to pivot with changing interest • But do stress the need to finish 

STEM – A Four Letter Word 

STEM + ART = STEAM 

STEAM + RECREATION / READING / RELIGION = STREAM 

Watch Out for Drive-by STEM • “Hour of Code” • One Day / Weekend Camp • Student / Teacher Ratio • True Outreach? Ask about scholarship participation • Short events can be a great start, but education takes time • I’ve yet to find an effective method that scales – 1:1 

Working with Children • All children “Want To Learn” • You may need to help the child engage (school, home) • Some children need to move, or play music – let them! • Different methods for different children (Common Core or even New Math may be the answer!) • Understand your own background and do not assume it’s the same for the child 

Teaching Video Games 

Teaching Video Games • Common area for many children • An area I personally am passionate about • A large set of skills to work on (Art, Code, Music, Writing, Math, Physics, Psychology) • Tools for all skill and experience levels • Allow a great deal of self expression • Can be run on the mobile devices children already have to share with friends and family 

Scratch • Flash Based IDE and Engine (Java IDE still available) • Free from MIT • Share Games on Scratch Website • Block based scripting • Good place to start with young children scratch.mit.edu 

App Inventor 2 • HTML5 IDE for Android Apps • Free from MIT • Scratch Like Scripting • Deploy directly to and debug on any Android device • Good place to start with young children and children interested in making games for their phone • I’ve used successfully it with very cheap ($50) devices! ai2.appinventor.mit.edu 

GameMaker • Simple yet Powerful Game Engine • Desktop free, web and mobile paid add ons • Basic scripting via wizards • Advanced scripting via custom language • Good for children to advanced for Scratch but not ready for Unity yoyogames.com/studio 

Construct 2 • HTML5 Game Engine • Also supports desktop and mobile (some costs, web free) • Built for 2D games • Scripting via wizards • Advanced scripting with Javascript • Good starting platform for making games and for more art focused children Scirra.com/construct2 

RenPy • Visual Novel Engine • Open Source • Scripting in Python • Python is subtle at first • Visual Novels may appeal to children not into traditional games or those wanting to be a storyteller. Renpy.org 

Unity • “Real” Game Engine • Scripting in C# / .Net MONO • Free to use and sell (under $100K revenue) • Large Platform Support • Best for older children with some code experience Unity3d.com 

Thank You – [email protected] / @ViNull TechCo.org KnoxGameDesign.org Meetup Sun 2PM - Quest for Fun!