Kids get with the program
With society’s increasing, pervasive reliance on computers and the output thereof, it’s inevitable that kids are going to be introduced to computers at a younger and younger age. But rather than being just passive users, this generation of kids has the opportunity to tinker with hardware, tweak software, and even program applications.
Hacketyhack is a site geared for children ages 13 and up. With bright graphics and friendly, engaging text, the site offers tutorials on how to write simple programs in Ruby, such as creating a blog or an IM application. The creator of Hacketyhack, a well-known programmer who’s known simply as “why the lucky stiff,” says his wish is to “spread infectious hacking smarts all over the world.” Read his complete programming manifesto.
Another great site for kids interested in programming is Scratch. Scratch is an easy-to-learn programming language developed by The Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT Media Lab, whose motto is “Sowing the seeds for a more creative society”. Using Scratch, kids can create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art - and share their creations on the website.
A description from their site:
Scratch is designed to help young people (ages 8 and up) develop 21st century learning skills. As they create Scratch projects, young people learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the process of design.
We’ve certainly come a long way since Pong!
Comments
Heath Row Jul 21, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I love it. Hopefully, we’ve come a long way from teaching kids Turtle Basic in grade school. ^_^
Idit Jul 21, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Yes! We have been in the business of advocating kids ‘playing to learn and learning to build’ - for over 20 years. As Michelle says - youth, rather than being just passive users, must also learn how to tinker and tweak software and program web-games and educational applications. My foundation, the World Wide Workshop, has been developing social media networks for facilitating learning game design and production using Flash and ActionScript. See http://www.Globaloria.org, a network of educational, programmable websites, wikis and blogs, designed to prepare young people (13 and older) to use Web2.0 technology and Flash, specifically to become makers of social-issue games and ‘green’ simulations, to enhance their learning engagement, innovation, entrepreneurship, and an understanding of the world. We launched three networks so far, implemented in economically-disadvantaged and technologically-underserved communities.
Check it out and share your thoughts, thanks, Idit.
TJ Sondermann Jul 21, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Whoa. I am so stoked to try Hacketyhack. (Despite the fact that I’m an adult over 13 years of age.) This seems to be right about my level as far as learning Ruby (or any programming language for that matter.)
So stoked, in fact that I’m going to break one of my cardinal rules and actually touch my wifes pc to install. Will then immediately say three Hail Marys for Steve Jobs. I promise.
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Adam Darowski Jul 22, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I am 15(x2) and am also very excited by Hacketyhack. Just can’t let my boss know this is how I learned Ruby…
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