Show HN: Pickcode – A new way to introduce programming to kids | Hacker News Reader

Show HN: Pickcode – A new way to introduce programming to kids

app.pickcode.io

56 pointscsmeyer13 comments

Hello HN, I've linked a tutorial from Pickcode, where students are guided through making a chatbot that plays mad libs. Pickcode is designed for introducing programming without block coding, in a way that's closer to Javascript or Python. I made Pickcode based on my frustrations teaching beginners in both block coding and in Python.

The link here is to just one lesson, and I have a few more that you can find on the site. I'd love feedback from HNers with kids age 10-13 or so, or HNers who can put on an intro to programming hat.

On the roadmap is adding more complex use cases for your programs (like drag and drop web apps), and obviously many more lessons.

If you're a teacher and interested in using this with students, email me at charlie@pickcode.io

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Congrats on the launch!

My nephew is 8 years old. I have been on the hunt for a platform that is suitable for him to create a space invaders style game (he has a huge notebook crammed with video game ideas). So tools like pickcode, sprig, scratch and so on are of particular interest.

I think the most important thing is for him to be successful early on... and I have yet to find anything in a similar vein that that is really, really simple.

Pickcode will be great once he knows some basics, but he's not old enough yet to run with it, as noted in the article.

Any recommendations are gratefully received for a pickcode alike for a younger audience, with graphics focused/game building options. (And whilst I ask for the moon on a stick, the icing on the cake would be support remote collaboration)

Charlie: FYI, the sign up form picks up a dormant Google account for me, and provides no mechanism to change it. Very odd.

For game creation check out bloxels. I used to teach with it in after school programs. Allows me ou to build out great 2D platform games.

Thanks for the note on the signup form, it’s just a google form at the moment so idk what might be going on.

Remote collaboration and a game editor are on the horizon so teach your nephew a few things in the meantime and you’ll be good to go :-)

I had some success with https://microsoft.github.io/tilecode/ (fullscreen button in lower right, works best with gamepad / keyboard) and https://arcade.makecode.com/

How does this compare to something like https://www.helpgidget.org/ ? I used to teach middle schoolers using it. Right off the bat Pickcode seems less kid-oriented.

Gidget seems a bit more of a game with a goal for your program, while Pickcode is meant to allow kids to be creative and make their own projects once they’re guided through the basics

This is very nice - congratulations! I like that you are thinking about both the product and the content, it really shows your broader vision.

I taught an after school program that started with Scratch and Greenfoot, and I understand some of the problems you describe when starting with block coding.

"Account Waitlist" button leads to a google form which lacks required permissions...

This... is not for kids. Sorry, but it's very boring. Heck, let's pick up adult beginners. What is var? Why animal equals something? Why is there a dot after chat? These are concepts which need explaining, they make no sense for beginners or especially kids.

Block coding with graphical elements works because it's: a) fun, and b) visually introduces abstract concepts for non-programmers. I taught programming to 1st year CS students and wrote my dissertation on this subject. The number of elements to make programming studies engaging and memorable was overwhelming!

"..closer to Javascript or Python" is very boring and unnecessary. That's why kids play with plastic tools and models before they are mature enough to use a hammer and drive a car.

I don't mean to put you off, but please try to find another market segment for this project. It's dead end where you are heading at the moment.

Thanks for the feedback. Things are a work in progress, and this one tutorial does not attempt to explain in detail all of the requisite programming terminology and concepts.

Could you link your dissertation? Would love to see some of your findings.

> These are concepts which need explaining, they make no sense for beginners or especially kids.

They will be explained naturally as the lessons progress I expect, trying to explain all that up front is the easiest way to fail.

Looks like the site might be down!

And might now be back!

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