flatness distinguished: KidCoder - Homeschool Computer Programming Course {Review ...

KidCoder - Computer Programming Course for Homeschool Kids

There have been a few times in history where things changed so much, so quickly we refer to them as ?Revolutions?.?

First was probably the Agricultural Revolution where animals were domesticated and methods were developed that allowed a majority of the population to end their nomadic ways.

Then we had the Industrial Revolution. ?Machines, movement, business, and production.

Historians have labeled what we are currently experiencing ?the Technology {or} Information Revolution. And at the heart of this momentous era is one tool ? the computer.

Today ? I am reviewing the KidCoder course from Homeschool Programming Inc. ? a handy tool for exposing kids to the basics of computer programming and languages in order to participate in this technologically dependent world.

Why Kids Should Learn Computer Programming

We might not find computer programming high on our personal list of learning aspirations, but our kids are going to grow up in a completely different world. Any field that is even remotely related to computers is going to involve some kind of programming.

We take for granted the ease of?browsing?websites, downloading apps, and using software because there are individuals behind the scenes programming every step of the way.

In order for our kids to be ready for the job field of tomorrow, they need to have a basic understanding of computers and programming?languages.? ?The more they know, the better.

KidCoder Introduces The Basics Of Computer Programming

Programming Course Collage

The KidCoder program is designed for students in 4th-8th grade who know the basics of using a computer.

There are two semester ?texts? that make up an entire year of instruction:

Windows Programming
Gaming Programming

You can buy each semester text?separately? but we received the entire year pack to review.

The program takes you through the history of computers, software, and programming ? right into Windows Visual Basic. At the?completion?of both semesters, the student will be able to create and publish a simple graphical game!

Raven has worked at her own pace since August, and she is 2/3 the way through the Windows Programming text.

Here is a little video of her demonstrating how she learned to program fill-in forms and a response to clicking a button:

Homeschool Programming also offers TeenCoder courses in C#, Java, and Android. ?These are designed for High School students (no previous programming knowledge required).

What We Like About The KidCoder Course

First, I just have to say that although the course says you can complete it without the instructional videos, I highly recommend them. ?Not only do they provide a great resource for visual/audio learners, they give examples of some of the steps in Visual Basic in real time. ?And ? it was impressive and awesome to hear a woman?s voice telling about the history of computer programming (a field that tends to be dominated by males).

Go lady programmers!

Raven on Visual Basic

I was impressed with the way the material was set up ? moving from a basic overview of programming languages into an easy-to-use format like Visual Basic. ?Kids can immediately see feedback and start to get their feet wet in the world of programming.

Raven enjoyed the pace of the text. ?Each concept was?thoroughly?explained and then demonstrated. ?Every line of code is scripted step-by-step so if you mess up in Visual Basic you can go back to your text and see where you went wrong. ?Not only that, but Visual Basic is a great platform that has a lot of automation ? so your kids don?t get bogged down in writing pages of code.

They can focus on creating the fun stuff ? objects that respond to your programming!

Connect With Homeschool Programming Inc.

Computer Programming courses for Kids and Teens!

You can find KidCoder and TeenCoder on the Homeschool Programming website ? along with reviews, samples, and demo videos.

Also ? connect with Homeschool Programming on Facebook and Twitter!

The people behind KidCoder are homeschool parents with professional knowledge in the computer sciences. ?Their goal is to:

create courses that would teach professional programming languages in a fun way that students could understand and that non-technical parents could teach

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Giveaway!

Homeschool Programming is generous and willing to give away a free semester pack of your choosing to one of my readers!

Choose from either KidCoder semester (Windows or Game), or one of the four TeenCoder semester packs (C# Windows, C#Game, Java, Android).

Here?s how to enter:

Leave a comment on this post answering one of these quetsions: ?What experience do you have with computer programming? Do you see your kids needing experience in programming for their future job??
Come back up to the Rafflecopter widget and select your entries (you can get more chances to win by tweeting and sharing)
All entrants must be over 18 years of age and have a US or military address.
Winner will be chosen in 1 week and have 72 hours to respond by email.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received the KidCoder course for free, and I was compensated for my time spent reviewing this product. This review is my own, honest opinion of the product. I was not required to post a positive review.