Learn 2 Code - Edward Delaporte's Guide

How to Learn to Code

I often get asked how I would recommend learning to program computers, today. I have so many answers, I had to write them all down. I update this page roughly annually.

The majority of the resources listed below are completely free - except the ones that require purchasing dedicated hardware.

MIT Scratch

MIT Scratch is the original block based code learning environment.

I think it's still the most feature complete. The ability to add animations, backgrounds and custom recorded sounds makes this a stronger creative toy than a lot of others.

Scratch also has a built in video tutorial series that explores a bunch of great computer science concepts.

Let me know if you enjoy my humble Scratch creations.

Turtle Programs

Before we had Scratch, we had turtle. I learned turtle on a Commodore 64. But a working Commodore 64 can be hard to get, today. Thankfully,Python includes an implementation of turtle.

MakeCode Arcade & Meowbit

Kids need shelter, food, love, and a hand-held video game player that they can write their own games for.

MeowBit is a hand-held video game that a kid can write code for using a snap-block language.

Even without the device, kids can get started using the online emulator and MakeCode Arcade Tutorials.

I made a game called Monkey Treasure Hunt.

And a better game than mine:

Robots in Luanti

If I told you there was a free clone of MineCraft that allowed players to build and program robots, would you even finish reading this page? I might not.

Everyone should get to play with Robots in Luanti.

Create Retro Python Games using Pyxel

Pyxel is a retro game platform that supports coding in Python. Unlike other Python game libraries, Pyxel provides a curated experience for new game developers.

I have created a few Pyxel Tutorials.

Minecraft Puzzles

For a cool guided learning experience, consider Minecraft on Code.org - a fantastic guided learn-to-code series.

It has a Minecraft theme, stars YouTube celebrities, and has a plot. Along the way, kids get to control Steve while programming a robot ally to solve puzzles.

Note that this is a two-dimensional game. For a full 3D MineCraft experience with programmable robots, try out Luanti with Robots.

Code.org

Code.org also has a lot more than just Minecraft puzzles.

Real Robots!!! with BBC Micro:Bit

For about $60.00 (one MicroBit and one CuteBot), your kid can have a robot wandering around the room, following code they wrote. Consider getting an extra MicroBit to act as a remote control via Bluetooth.

The BBC Micro:Bit is currently the most afordable hardware I have found that can run block code.

It comes with bunch of LEDs, a couple of buttons, a bluetooth radio, and a connector for an always growing set of add-on boards.

CuteBot is currently my favorite affordable robot frame. Mine came with a nice booklet of example programs.

p5.js

P5.js is a fun web-based way to experiment with both JavaScript and drawing with code at the same time.

You can read the source code of my live interactive art for some ideas.

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