In our technology driven world gadgets from computers, smartphones to tablets are an integral part of life. Children are tech-savvy, they can often master a tablet quicker than their parents. Research shows the earlier a child learns the basics behind their favorite technology, the more likely they’ll embrace the art of programming. This will not only develop their analytical programming skills at an early age but it’ll help them to determine if they want to pursue a career in programming.
Just as writing helps you organize your thinking and express your ideas, the same is true for coding. Coding enables you to craft your own interactive stories and games and thus express yourself creatively on the computer. Learn important strategies for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas.
This software helps young people to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century.
The software recommended enables anyone of whatever age to code with intuitive, interest-based activities.
Our gold winner is an easy decision. Scratch is an extremely popular programming languages that enables individuals to program interactive stories, games and animations. It’s used by millions of users. While its designed for young people, it’s used by all ages. Students are learning with Scratch at all levels (from elementary school to college) and across different subjects (such as mathematics, computer science, language arts, and social studies). Learn programming visually, avoiding programming syntax, and create sophisticated programs. And very young children are also catered for by ScratchJr.
| Visual Programming - Best Open Source Software | |
|---|---|
 | Scratch is a free programming language and online community where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations. https://scratch.mit.edu/ License: GNU General Public License v2 and Scratch Source Code License |
 | Greenfoot is an integrated development environment using Java or Stride designed primarily for educational purposes at the high school and undergraduate level. Greenfoot is visual and interactive. Visualisation and interaction tools are built into the environment. https://www.greenfoot.org/ License: GNU General Public Licence v2 |
 | Alice is used by teachers at all levels from middle schools (and sometimes even younger) to universities, in school classrooms and in after school and out of school programming, and in subjects ranging from visual arts and language arts to the fundamentals of programming and introduction to java courses. http://www.alice.org/ License: Free license but not open source |
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