Create a Marsobot and master Python: the best IT courses for children

Digital skills are important for everyone, regardless of age and profession. However, for the child, this is, first of all, to get acquainted with the world of technology, where he can find a lot - his calling, like -minded people or a dream. Julia Kalenkova, journalist of the greenhouse, made a selection of the best IT courses and found out how to choose a programming school for a child.

“Modern children watch YouTube, surfs on the Internet, play smartphones, communicate in messengers and social networks. For them, it should not be a mystery how the products of digital technology work. Learning programming is similar to learning foreign languages ​​- there is nothing complicated, everyone can master it. There are many ways: books, lessons on YouTube, educational sites. ” Victoria Yelkin, Head of the Methodological Department of the Algorithmika Programming Laboratory

According to the expert, the potential of children is revealed through the development of the skills of the 21st century: creativity, curiosity, the ability to work in a team. Therefore, in addition to a reliable source of information, a mentor and like-minded people are important-guys, with whom you can create something new.

Algorithmika programming laboratories

They help to master "universal skills to which the school program pays little attention." According to the creators of the school, this will allow "both physicists and lyrics to achieve success in any profession." The authors of the courses are an international team of methodologists, including Derek Brin, a world -famous programming teacher. Training takes place on the basis of visual programming languages ​​developed in Google and MIT. The guys do not just create an algorithm, but save the princess or build a rocket on Mars - the game is based on the game form and an individual approach.

“Each child, as a rule, has his own idea of ​​a project, which he wants to bring to life, for example, to program an unmanned racing machine, a cartoon or his own game. The embodiment of the idea with the help of extensive programming tools captivates children, incites excitement and motivates them. ” Victoria Elkin.

According to the expert, the complexity usually arises at the time of formulation of the idea: how to transfer the plan out of the head, put it into constituent parts and start to realize it step by step. The skills of project work, creative thinking and a systematic approach help here.

• Age: from 5 to 17 years.
• Where: schools are located in 115 cities and 14 countries.
• Prices: Depends on the chosen course, there are free trial lessons where the child will be able to program the Marsobot and get acquainted with the SCRATCH programming environment.

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School of digital creativity Codabra

Pupils start with games like Tynker, and then switch to Scratch. The main task of the school is to create a comfortable environment where children find the support of not only teachers, but also like -minded people. Together with friends, it is much more interesting to create your own games, cartoons and sites. Separately, it is worth noting the programming and digital creativity courses for girls about the check and girls that Codabra opened with the support of Google. The program participants will be able to chat with Google employees from different countries in the framework of special lectures, where experts will share their knowledge and personal stories, how they began their way in IT.

• Age: from 6 to 17 years.
• Where: in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Ufa, there are also online courses.
• Prices: with a one -time full payment, the cost of the course is 24,900 rubles. The duration of the course is 2 months. For large and incomplete families, special conditions are provided at the school. Each course is designed for 24 hours.

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International Coddy Programming School

School programs develop not only technical skills, but also Soft Skills-design, leadership, ability to work in a team. The main advantage of the school is a multi -format learning process. In addition to traditional online courses, there is a practice in the offices of IT companies where you can immerse yourself in the workflow; city ​​camps that are organized in partnership with the Skolkovo Technopark and the University of the Higher School; as well as away measures. Among the latter are tours to Amsterdam, where young programmers will find acquaintance with senior colleagues from Netflix and Google (Data Centre).

“When developing programs, we always take into account three factors. Firstly, we study what is now in demand in the market, what technologies are needed today and in the near future. Secondly, we look at the interests of children: what they like because of age and what is required. For example, we have an Olympiad programming that helps to get the highest points on the exam. The third factor is American experience, because in the field of teaching children the US programming is significantly ahead of Russia, ”said Oksana Selendeeva, founder of the Coddy programming school.

Programs are created under the guidance of software directors, and then repeatedly tested. “All the courses that are now presented on the Coddy website, and more than 70 of them have passed the test of time and were tested in a large number of groups,” said Oksana Selendeeva.

• Age: from 4 to 18 years.
• Where: there are courses in 51 city of Russia, as well as in Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
• Prices: Depends on the selected program. The course “Creation of the site”, where the HTML basics and methods of using CSS are studied, costs 6,000 rubles per month for 4 classes, the duration of the course is 3 months. You can study individually on Skype (6000 rubles for 4 classes in one astronomical hour).

Interactive online platform Codecademy

Once the Codecademy New York startup decided to completely change the education system, which "corresponds to the level of the 19th century and is absolutely unsuitable for scaling." After several successful rounds, he began international expansion. So in Russia there were step-by-step online lessons with the possibility of working right in the browser. Here you can learn 12 programming languages: Python, PHP, JavaScript, Ruby, Java, etc., as well as working with the JQuery library and the HTML and CSS marking languages. On the forum, newcomers can communicate and help each other. For some courses, there are “sandboxes” in which users test their software codes.

• Age: without restrictions
• Where: without restrictions
• Prices: In addition to the catalog of free programs, there is Codecademy Pro with quizzes, projects to create a portfolio and individual training programs. Subscription - $ 15.99 per month.

Geekbrains online training system

The Geekbrains community is part of Mail.Ru Group and unites more than 3 million users. On the platform, you can study 12 free courses-according to PHP, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, etc., as well as master 31 professions, including web and mobile developers, layout, web designer. Free training materials are available for students - articles, webinars, video courses. The system appoints a personal mentor to each student who helps him master the material and take practical tasks. Any user on the portal can declare his project in the “Career” section and dial a team of like -minded people for working together. The most important thing is that each student is guaranteed an internship in leading companies, and employment is waiting for the most successful.

• Age: from 12 years.
• Where: without restrictions.
• Prices: Depends on the course, for example, training at the Python development faculty costs 12,500 rubles per month, the duration of training is 1 year.

Moscow Coding School programming school

The training is focused on the most relevant technologies: blockchain, large data, neural networks, artificial intelligence and machine learning. The courses cover all the material necessary for the start in a particular area. There are also mini-courses: "A series of screons with charged short videos for in-depth study of individual technologies." The Deep Learning program, adherent neural networks and the basics of CSS Grid Layout. The achievement system motivates to engage in regularly unattended mentors. Student support is what the school is especially proud of: “At the time of the course, we will become your Jewish and Italian mothers in one person. We know what it means to be a beginner, and hired a whole team to look after your progress. ”

“Each generation evolves faster. In the West, JavaScript is trained from 5 years old, and this is in the order of things. Now children are already born digital NATIVE: they use computers and gadgets, the digital environment is completely organic and familiar to them. Therefore, the guys master programming much faster than adults, and the process itself is truly interesting for them. ” Vadim Rezvy, co -founder of Moscow Coding School.

There are game mechanics for the guys. For example, young children who can be difficult to focus and master complex tasks underwent Python with the example of Minecraft. “Many are literally obsessed with this game and, of course, training captivates them. We were the first to introduce this practice, now it is already in service with many, ”the specialist commented.

• Age: from 12 years.
• Prices: from 19,999 rubles.
• Where: without restrictions.

How to choose a programming school for a child?

“If the parent gives the child to study programming, he himself needs to pump in this. I would start with myself and have passed a couple of courses of programming basics to understand how this world is arranged and in which direction to go, whether it is machine training, mobile development or data analysis, ”says Vadim Rezhvy. In his opinion, the main selection criterion is reviews.

• Compare the reviews on Facebook, Google, Yandex. Try to verify their reliability: contact the author of the comment if he indicated mail or link to his profile on the social network. You can also make a post in social networks and ask for advice - remember about the theory of six handshakes!
• Find out the contacts of other parents - to take recommendations and, perhaps, subsequently just remain in touch and share experience. It makes sense to introduce your children - believe me, young programmers have enough enthusiasm and knowledge to make their “dossier” for any school.

Children's courses in Russia do not take special certification. Universal comparison of schools is not produced. “This is such an area where you can really rely only on reviews and recommendations. Licenses also do not guarantee qualities. Some schools work without licenses, on the basis of an agreement on the provision of consulting services. Not to mention the fact that you can just buy a license. There is no global control by the Ministry of Education and other departments. You can check the school only with direct contacts with those who have already passed these courses, ”summarized Vadim Rezhvy.

By the way, in Russia, preparations are underway for the European programming week. The teams of non -profit organizations will hold events at which children and adolescents will be able to get acquainted with new technologies. The best events will be marked with a cash prize!