Jan 21, 2021 By Team MakerVidya *
Coding classes may not be a new phenomenon in India but never have they been as strong a buzzword as today. Indeed, in a year that has seen COVID19 demolish economies across the world, edtech has been among the few sectors that have seen rapid growth. In India with its burgeoning youth, edtech seems to hold an unparalleled potential as evidenced by the rise and expansion of several online coding programs. But what do these coding classes offer, what syllabus do they follow and what are the actual takeaways for the students? This blog takes a closer look at all this and more.
First let us look at what the term coding means and what is the right age for kids to start learning coding.
What is Coding?
What is coding? Coding is another term for computer programming. Ít is the process by which one can design and create an executable computer program for carrying out a particular computing task. So we can make computer software, apps and websites using coding; ditto for our internet browser, the OS of our computers/ laptops/ phones, Facebook and even this website. A coding language is essentially a vocabulary and set of grammatical rules for telling a computer to perform certain tasks.
Block-based coding vs syntax-based coding
Coding can be block-based or syntax-based. Typically, kids start with the block-based coding and move on to the latter because the former is much simpler and easier to follow. Block-based coding thrives on a drag-and-drop learning environment, where coding instruction ‘blocks’ are used to build animated stories and games.Here kids get introduced to computational thinking through visuals instead of text. For instance, Scratch is a block-based coding language where say, the motion blocks are used to control movement of the sprites (Scratch images).
Syntax-based coding is driven by syntax, or the set of rules that define the combinations of symbols considered to be correctly structured statements or expressions in that language. Coding languages such as Python, JavaScript are syntax-based coding languages.
The right age for kids to start coding
Now that we know what coding entails, we can look at the right age for kids to learn it. A lot of confusion prevails with regards to this topic as different websites say different things. One may say kids can start at age 4 and another may say age 7 is a good time to start learning coding. The important thing to keep in mind is that while kids can start with block-based programming, real coding comes with syntax-based programming where one actually writes code and completes tasks by doing so. So while kids as young as 6 and above may start learning Scratch as it is more visually engaging, the critical thinking needed to understand the more complex syntax-based programming languages typically develops among kids at the age of 10-11. DISCUSS WITH VISHAL.
Campk12
Campk12 (https://campk12.com/) caters to kids in grades 1 to 12. There are three basic coding program plans offered: beginner, advanced and mastery. The beginner level covers coding fundamentals, app design, development and publishing on the Play Store, with the advanced level offering additional lessons in algorithms and data structures, AI-ML basics and AI chatbot. VR gaming with 3D math, physics and coding, advanced Python, AI- data sciences and ML for self-driving cars come under the mastery plan. Prices start at Rs 23,600 for 36 classes. Plus, there are many one-month standalone courses for students of different grades - be it animation and storytelling with code for younger kids from grades 1-4, AR and VR for grades 5-8 and Android development and web development for kids in grades 9-12.
Codingal
Codingal (https://www.codingal.com/) teaches coding to students in grades 1-8. Each student progresses through three levels - Rising Coding Star, Coding Champion and Coding Prodigy. The first level focuses on the foundation of coding which covers sequencing and algorithms, run-time inputs, events, and sprite lab. Block-based coding takes centrestage here. The next one trains its sights on game and app development and covers animation effects, app development, basic JavaScript, and Internet security. The third one is about advanced coding and game development and includes functions, cryptography, debugging, and Python with turtles. The curriculum for children from higher grades also includes nested loops, mobile and web apps development, portfolio creation, AI and chatbots, and Game design basics. Prices start at Rs 6,400 for 8 classes.
Codevidhya
Codevidhya (https://codevidhya.com/) offers 1:1 courses in Scratch coding, app and web development and Python coding. In the Scratch coding course, students get to create their own stories, games and animations, whereas HTML, CSS and JavaScript are taught as part of the app and web development course. The Python course provides learning in Python fundamentals, Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) with Python, object-oriented programming, nested loops and functions, and advanced Python libraries for developing games and softwares. Prices start at Rs 6,000 for 8-hour sessions per month.
Codeyoung
Codeyoung (https://www.codeyoung.com/) caters to kids in the age group of 5-17 (classes 1-10). Children in the age group 5-9 are taught games and animation using Scratch and Scratch Jr, while those in the age bracket 9-14 learn Scratch, web development and build apps even as they pick up the fundamentals of logic and problem solving through the MIT App Inventor. Kids in the 14-16 category get to learn real world coding with Python, JavaScript and web development. The lessons are priced at Rs 19,999 for 48 classes.
LeapLearner
Students aged 5 years and above can look at group and 1:1 online coding classes by LeapLearner (https://leaplearner.in/). The junior coding program is essentially a block-based coding class teaching kids 5-8 year olds commands, loops, functions and conditions through puzzles & games. Kids older than age 8 years of age can enrol in the app development program where they learn to create apps, starting with basic single screen apps and moving on to complex ones and integrating different Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) & Modules. Python programming, Arduino robotics and AI dominate the course material for the Robotics & AI program, ideal for 9 -14 years olds. There’s also a Python programming program which helps kids learn to code in Python by creating games & applications. Prices start at Rs 400 for group online classes.
Lido Learning
Targeted at students from class 3-10, Lido Learning (https://www.lidolearning.com/coding/) has Scratch lessons for students in class 3-5, introduction to algorithms, variables, conditionals, loops and functions in addition to Scratch for students from class 6 and 7 and HTML/CSS fundamentals, Bootstrap (CSS framework) and introduction to mobile apps for students in class 8-10. Prices start at Rs 31,500 for 60 classes.
MindCamp
MindChamp (https://www.mindchamp.in/) has a bunch of multi-level courses for kids in the age group of 7-15 years. For instance, My First Animation course teaches introduction to coding for beginners through block-based coding lessons and students get to build multiple small games and animations. My First Game (teaching game design) and My First App (about app design) are also block-based, whereas the My First Website and My First Python Code courses are text-based coding classes focusing on HTML/CSS and Python respectively. Prices start at Rs 7,100 for one level (all courses have multiple levels). They also conduct one-off coding workshops.
MakerVidya
As the name suggests, MakerVidya (https://www.makervidya.com/) focuses on maker culture - culture of ‘making’ or building things from the ground up and tinkering with existing ones in order to improve their design and / or efficiency. Given its aim to turn kids into real inventors, makers and builders, only kids aged 11 years and above are eligible to enrol. The curriculum lays emphasis on syntax-based programming with Python, the most popular programming language today.
MakerVidya believes in self-paced learning where students work their way up starting with level 1 and so on. There are 5 levels in all and while the first one teaches computer programming basics of Python, the second one has applied Python which includes Circuit-Magic, Raspberry Pi and PyGame. Level 3 has advanced robotics, databases and User-Interface (UI) development; Full Stack web development and Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are taught in levels 4 and 5 respectively.
What’s also interesting is that MakerVidya offers live online programming classes not only in English but also in regional Indian languages such as Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam and Bengali, with more languages to be added to the list in the coming days. Prices currently start at as low as Rs 387.5 per week. Instead of a free demo/ trial class, MakerVidya offers a free evaluation assessing the student’s readiness to learn Python as part of level 1 and students can pick a private 1:1 class or a group class with 2:1 or 4:1 student-teacher ratio.
StayQrious
StayQrious (https://stayqrious.com/) offers live online lessons in coding and STEM foundations for kids in grades 4-9, aiming to encourage critical and logical thinking among them. The course material is divided into three Art of Coding programs, each lasting around 6 weeks. The first one focuses on algorithms, debugging and loops, and the second one on conditionals, events, sprites and variables. The third one trains its sights on functions and advanced loops. Instead of Scratch, Blockly - another block-based coding language - is taught in the foundations course, after which the curriculum moves to Javascript. Prices have not been shared on the website but there is a free trial for those who wish to check it out. Typically, students learn as part of a 6-member learning team.
Tinker Coders
A live online coding learning platform, Tinker Coders (https://www.tinkercoders.in/) aims to teach its students pattern recognition, logical and analytical thinking. They offer a free demo to students, mainly in grades 3-8 and there’s also an internship program that is level/ grade agnostic. Course material starts with creating simple block-based games and animations for the younger grades and goes on to cover creating Android apps, advanced sensor-based apps in Python, coding and graphic designing, game design and AI applications for the older kids. Kids are taught through a series of 1:1 and group classes, that also include interactive and self-learning sessions. Prices start at Rs 1,999 for group classes.
RoboGenius
RoboGenius (https://robogenius.in/) offers live coding classes for kids in grades 1-12. The curriculum has AI-powered animation and games for grades 1-2, Android and iOS app development for grades 3-4 and virtual robotics & IoT projects for smart homes, offices and industries in grades 5-7. Python with AI and robotics form the crux of the syllabus for grades 8 and above. The website has not shared its starting price for any of the levels.
Vedantu
Vedantu (https://www.vedantu.com/) teaches coding to students from grade 1 to grade 8. Courses include introduction to coding, animation basics, app development, game creation and design, cybersecurity, programming chatbots for younger kids while advanced courses feature introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), launching web pages and learning Python and JavaScript. Prices start at Rs 6,000 for 8 classes.
WhiteHat Jr
Offering live 1:1 online coding classes for kids in grades 1-12, WhiteHat Jr (https://www.whitehatjr.com/) has several levels such as beginner (grade 1), intermediate (grades 2-3), advanced (grades 4-6), professional (grades 7-9) and applied tech (grades 10+). For all levels except applied tech, there are three courses on offer: Introduction to coding, app development certificate course and advanced coding with space tech. The first one covers sequence, fundamentals coding blocks, loops; the second includes course material of the first and has additional material on events / UI, conditionals, complex loop, logic structures, turtle coding. Extended UI/UX (User eXperience), rich GUI app, space tech simulation, professional game design are taught in the advanced course. The applied tech course replaces app development certification with data analysis. Prices start at Rs 5,999 for 8 classes.
*Contributors: Written by Vidya Prabhu; image by Leonel Cruz
