Review: Code for Teens

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Coding is such an important part of the world today. My 13 year old son has a keen interest in learning to code. Last year he took an engineering course, and through that learned how vital knowing how to use electronics and how to code really is in today’s world. He’s been learning some coding with Minecraft but is just itching to take his knowledge farther, enter in Code for Teens: The Awesome Beginner’s Guide to Programming (Volume 1). This program is brought to us by Moritz team at Code for Teens.

What do you get?

Originally we were supposed to get a physical book to use, but since we live in Canada we ended up with a PDF. This makes it very travelable as we can put it on any device and read as we go.

This File is 116 pages, with 10 chapters, along with a glossary, answer key, a section for parents, and introduction. Each chapter includes a quiz, key concepts list, drills and a review of the chapter preceeding it.

In case you are curious, you can see a sample chapter here.

Chapters include the following:
1: Hello World!
2: Time to Operate
3: Comment on the String Section:
4: Have Some Functions
5: Shall I Compare?
6: Logically Operational
7: Projects Galore
8; Hip Hip Array!
9: Loop a Round
10: Make a Hangman Game

I loved how in the introduction the authors take the time to talk about how important learning to code is. Software engineering (computer coding) is “one of the fastest growing industries in the world. ….Perhaps it
should be mentioned that programmers are in extremely high demand, and this leads to excellent pay, comfortable work environments, flexible hours, greater job satisfaction, long-term career security,” etc. But really…the answer is simple: Superpowers.

And so we learn how coding well is a superpower that leads to better jobs in the future. Learning JavaScript is important because “it is the most common programming language of them all and is used in over 90% of all websites! JavaScript makes websites move and respond to what a user touches and types. And it’s also a useful tool for games and mobile apps! With more and more businesses going online and people browsing on their phones, JavaScript is becoming more valuable every year.” With these words my lad felt even more inspired!

How did we use it?

Code for Teens is designed to be a self-paced course. The alternating reading and text gives students an immediate chance to practice what they are learning. The repetition helps them with areas they struggle in, and the practicum helps them retain that knowledge well. The lad loved to hear that there would be more than one way to answer any problem given, as it gave him the confidence to experiment.

The lad worked through one lesson per week. Opening up the PDF file in a browser tab, working through the learning portion, then doing the quizzes and drills on a separate days. We aren’t in a rush to get through the book as it’s summer and other learning comes first.. like learning how to paint, spackle, cut down trees, ministry work (like VBS, foodbank), visiting friends etc. The lad doesn’t fight sitting down to do work through his lessons three days per week. He has repeatedly told me how much he enjoys going through this book and all the things he likes about it.

It’s good you know?

Our Thoughts:

My son predominately used this on his own. I only helped when he was getting set up, and for grading his tests. Other than initially struggling with the NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION over every page, this JavaScript computer training program is working really well for the lad.

Since he was the one using it, I will let him make his own comments

Likes:

I like how he walks through everything and repeats it several times. That way if I didn’t understand it the first time, the next time I will and everything else just becomes review so I understand it better and remember.

I like the DIY bits where you need to figure out your own how to do something using what you’ve been taught.

Wants:

Challenges to take the code you have been taught and figure out how to make it shorter or easier to write. I did this! See this example.

Let number = 0;
number ++;
Number %3;
Up arrow, enter

Rather than writing it out like 4 % 3; enter. 5 % 3; enter etc.

Dislikes:

The parent section was really boring.

His recommendation:

If you want to learn JavaScript, buy this book, as it has worked really well for me so far.

Code For Teens: The Awesome Beginner’s Guide to Programming (Volume 1)
Code for Teens.
Coding, JavaScript, teens,
Code For Teens, programming, computer programming,

Geared for teens. Great for adults as well.
Pricing information found here

Code for Teens has been reviewed by 65 members of the crew of a variety of ages. Please click below to read what their comments are.