Sunday, December 15, 2013

Again: programming for kids

“The Einstein Code- programming for kids" Free download



I started writing a computer game. I write this computer game in Game Maker. The theme of the game will be : Miruna learn programming . The game will be free. I've thought it would be good to include four levels. An alien came to Earth accidentally . Alien UFO has strayed that came. In each level , Miruna must help him find the way to the alien 's ship . The road is full of dangers . At each level of the game, Miruna must choose between several instructions written in Martian . Martians language consists of instructions written in pseudocode language . I already downloaded background images , characters and images. I want now to look for the right music. I think that in less than a week will be ready . I'll post the link here. If my daughter will love the game, I will complete. It will contain obviously variable, " IF " statement, " REPEAT " statement. Kids can learn programming . Up to us to find the right path. It is not easy but not impossible either . Preschool is right to start. The sooner , the better. Today I played with my daughter a game: we have four dolls of varying heights. They are placed at random in a row. We must to sit in increasing order of their size. in the second row. We take the first doll and count how many dolls are smaller than. If there are two smaller than her doll will sit in second place in the sequence sorted ascending. And repeat the same for the second doll , etc. . Obviously, it is a particular type of sorting. I repeated it, but this time using apples. He retained the mechanism. It is important that my daughter Miruna visualize algorithms, and what actually happens during an algorithm. In this case, a sorting algorithm. I want to introduce the notion of vector in this way , the notion of position in the vector. I am convinced that all Kids can learn programming. See my ebook “The Einstein Code” here

Saturday, December 14, 2013

My daughter Miruna - learn to code

“The Einstein Code- programming for kids" Free download



Every kid can learn programming . It can happen with the condition to be fun . What is fun for kids ? The stories are fun. Games are fun. Cartoons are fun. We must create a world of kids include the basics of programming in stories , games, cartoons , and why not , singing and painting . A simple example : how can I interchange the values ​ of two variables . Obviously , the method glasses. I explained to my daughter , Miruna : I have two glasses , a glass of water and a glass of juice . How to put water in the glass of juice and vice versa, but without losing water or juice. I need the third glass . Obviously , an empty glass . You need to empty water glass in the blank , and then have to empty the glass of juice in the naked , etc. . In other words, we have two variables "a" and " b " . Initially a = 3 and b = 7 . I need a third variable " c". First : c = a ( c = 3 ) . After that , a = b (a = 7). Finally , b = c ( b = 3 ) . The basics of programming must be explained naturally in children's language . This must happen at very young ages. Make a computer program must become as natural as reading, writing, singing . Kids loves to spend many hours in front of the computer . My daughter does not know yet to write and read (a little known, but not well-known yet). But, she like cartoons and fairy tales and princesses. Therefore, I have introduced in my ebook "Miruna learn to code", some magical signs. These signs are representations of the concepts of flow charts (variables, "if", "while"). I think increasingly longer to write a computer game based on the story (perhaps in Game Maker). See my ebook “The Einstein Code” here

Friday, December 13, 2013

Miruna learn to code

“The Einstein Code- programming for kids" Free download



All kids need to learn programming
This has to start at very young ages . My daughter Miruna , aged five years , began to think in terms of " IF " and " WHILE " . If you finish homework , you can play with dolls. While you are sick , you should not eat ice cream . I thought to write a story for her, and for kids around the world. With my wife , Andrea, I wrote this story : “Miruna learn to code”. Is a story in which the symbols used in flowcharts are magical signs, the variables are boxes, and so on. This is the first story. Others will follow . For example, a story in which magical signs form a magical map ( a flow chart ). This map should be read and interpreted in order to escape from the evil dragon. Step by step , we get to perform simple objects to which we attach methods. From the beginning, all this will be in the form of stories and games. In my experience over 15 years as a professor of computer science, both at primary school and high school , I think this is possible. In everyday life, both us and our kids, we must make decisions based on the answer to a question, or to perform the same task several times (so repetitive actions ). Is a mistake not learn programming at low ages .
Programming helps us to think organized to take the best decisions at a time. Programming gives us results when looking for all solutions to a problem, or you want to choose the best solution from several possible solutions. By programming we develop algorithmic thinking, rational thinking. A computer program is a very clear set of logical instructions, arranged in a certain order, which have a beginning and an end. I hope that through this ebook, to help kids to love this fantasy world, the world of computer programs.
How kids learn to code: in the same way that an adult learning program. Must understand the notion of algorithm, the notion of "IF", the notion of repetitive instruction. But especially kids learn through stories. So, let's write stories about these notions. Then we can build a map. Let's invent a story based on this map. I know many kids who have asked me: we want to make computer games. Kids are fascinated by stories and computer games. Let us join efforts to combine business with pleasure. While reading a story or playing on the computer, they learn something useful. Making a computer program must become as easy and natural as reading and writing. See my ebook “The Einstein Code”  here