Everyone Can Code Early Learners is the latest coding for students offering from tech giant Apple. This resource has been created for elementary school students and educators with coding training from kindergarten all the way to college age.
You may already recognize the Everyone Can Code name as it's been around for a few years but primarily focused on older students. The latest Early Learners edition is offered as a way to get students started sooner on the coding curriculum.
So what is Everyone Can Code Early Learners and how does it work for educators and students?
What is Everyone Can Code Early Learners?
Everyone Can Code Early Learners is Apple's own coding platform. The idea is to teach student how to code and app design using the company's own Swift programming language. This is so simple to use that it's designed not only for trained educators but also for families to use with children at home.
The program features on-screen coding as well as off-screen activity to make the whole process more engaging for younger students who may not have the concentration span of older kids.
Everyone Can Code Early Learners is available within the Swift Playgrounds app, which is free to download.
How does Everyone Can Code Early Learners work?
Once downloaded, the Everyone Can Code Early Learners app can be used on an Apple device to work through the code-based learning. This goes beyond mere inputting of data on a screen but rather incorporates real-world actions to increase engagement.
For example, dance moves are used to help teach a lesson on coding commands. These dance moves are shown on screen and can be repeated by the student but can also be digitally created for input. The idea is to encourage movement and activity while also stimulating memory.
Another example of how this program works is in a lesson on functions. This gets students to discuss calming techniques in a step-by-step manner. The idea here is to connect with social-emotional learning while also teaching functions at the same time.
Of course, being Apple, everything in Everyone Can Code Early Learners looks great and is super self-explanatory to use. It also works with third-party hardware so you could write code that controls a real-world flying drone or robot that the student has built themselves.
How can I get Everyone Can Code Early Learners?
Apple has made Everyone Can Code Early Learners free and available to all so that educators and families can get started immediately using the programs. The catch? You will have to own an Apple device to run it.
If you have an iPad, then you're good to go. Simply download the Swift Playgrounds app and this will have the Everyone Can Code Early Learners lessons within that platform. Once you get to age eight and older, the original Everyone Can Code program is best suited, however, this also runs in the same Swift Playground platform, carrying on seamlessly.
