Best Computer Science Apps
For students today, coding is becoming an essential skill, just like reading, writing, and math. The benefit of learning to code is that students develop their abilities to think logically. Encouraging them to learn to code can open up countless opportunities for their future.
Coding apps come in a range of formats designed for different ages and abilities. They often incorporate bright colors, cute characters, and elements of game design to appeal to students.
- Beginners typically learn to create programs by dragging and dropping visual blocks of code.
- Intermediate users are ready for programming languages, specially designed to train newbies.
- Advanced coders can start working with real programming languages that have a more gradual learning curve than what the pros use - but still produce sophisticated results.
If you are thinking to bring coding into your classroom, check out Best Coding Apps for Kids. Through these coding apps, kids will understand the basics of programming, gain an understanding of logic & sequence and learn the mechanics of iteration.
If you are looking for apps to learn programming or coding, we have put together a list of the best computer science apps for students.
Tynker teaches kids how to code from first principles through to real-life coding used to make games, virtual reality applications and websites or even control robotics and electronics. Hundreds of courses let kids choose their coding interests and build their skills through fun activities which lead to building real apps.
Price: Free to try
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
2. CodeGym
CodeGym teaches and provides practice for learners of the Java coding language. It is great to support any computer science course based around Java but has a specific mapping to AP CSA and Oracle Java Foundations. Interested hobbyist coders will also find CodeGym of interest.
Price: Free to try
Devices: Android and Web Browsers
Mimo: Learn how to code is an educational app that teaches programming by breaking lessons down into two-minute segments. Mimo uses a gamified approach to motivate users by earning achievements.
Mimo Learn to Code app have lots of learning potential from the basics to advanced topics, especially for those who can handle all the reading and somewhat advanced vocabulary. At the time of this review, courses include Programming for First-Timers, Swift 3, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, Java, Ruby, Python, C#, C++.
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
SoloLearn is a programming language learning app available for a variety of platforms. Over twenty-two million learners worldwide use the SoloLearn apps to enhance their programming and coding knowledge.
SoloLearn courses are excellent, hands on ways of learning programming and coding languages. The program teaches you the basics of the language's structure and nuance (similar to any other language learning course), and then allows you to do hands-on exercises and manipulate the programming languages in a real time way.
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
Programming Hub is a fun and interactive way to learn programming on your smartphone. With the Programming Hub app, you can learn 30+ programming languages with interactive lessons, programming code examples and assessments.
Content is really well aligned and prepared to make learning programming easy for beginners. It is also useful for programmers to brush up basics on any programming language.
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
codeSpark Academy is an award-winning app that teaches kids how to code. The game-like interface makes coding fun for kids and they don’t even realize they’re learning. Kids learn to code with lovable characters called The Foos.
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
Computer Dictionary by Farlex gives you instant access to more than 29,000 computing terms and 5,000 images, all from authoritative sources, including the Computer Desktop Encyclopedia and the Free Online Dictionary of Computing. Plus more than 14,000 entries available anytime offline.
Whether you're a programmer, developer, web designer, student, or just looking to learn more about technology, this free computing dictionary app can help you find clear, in-depth definitions of computing terminology right on your iPhone or iPad.
Devices: iPhone, iPad
8. ScratchJr
Scratch Junior Coding App is an app designed by the MIT Media Lab, in collaboration with the DevTech Research Group at Tufts University, and compliments the Scratch programming Language that many school and students are familiar with. This app is an iPad app designed for ages 5-7. The interfacer and the graphics are excellent and the app is very easy to navigate. Split into two section of sample projects and personal creation. We recommend that the student samples the basic projects first to see how the coding is applied and use the Book icon to explore the instructions and interface. Once the student understands the interface and what each Block programme does they can create their own projects and save them. The programs created are more like short narative cartoons and although character interaction is limited the possibilities are endless and will keep students entertained and inspired for hours.
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
Lightbot is a programming puzzle game that uses game mechanics that are firmly rooted in programming concepts. The app can be used in both KS1 and KS2 in the ICT lessons to design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals. Teachers can use the app to explain what algorithms are and how they can be implemented as programs on digital devices.
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
‘Coding Games for kids’ is a unique application that teaches sequential visual coding. The app comes with an array of free games and encourages children to solve problems, improve logical thinking and increase their memory in a fun and interactive environment. This app does contain adverts to promote the subscription service. There are in-app purchases available at several stages for further access to monthly and yearly subscriptions as well as individual coding topics.
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
11. Code Adventures
Code Adventures: Coding Puzzles for Kids is a unique application that is suitable for ages 6 and above that focuses on child-friendly computer coding puzzles. This beautifully designed app features: challenging puzzles whilst learning how to program, fascinating visuals, humorous sounds and lovable characters as well as 30 well-crafted levels. This application is free from in-app purchases and free from in-app adverts
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
12. Cargo-Bot
Cargo-bot is a coding and programming app that will be a challenge at all levels for students studying Computer Studies. The app is fairly challenging and we recommend that the students work through the tutorials before attempting the tasks. The app has numerous levels and a scoring system where maximum stars can be achieved if the programming of the robotic arm is correct. Although there are tutorials we found even the easy levels challenging. Each level has a hints section that may help you solve the coding. Students may need some assistance at first but once the basics are mastered they are free to tackle the multiple levels.
Devices: iPhone, iPad
13. Junior Coder
Junior Coder Visual Programming games for kids is a great application to introduce children from the aged of 9+ to computer coding and science. The app introduces a number of levels that include basic programming operations that animate characters and graphics to perform simple operations. This is an exciting platform to introduce pupils to the techniques of basic programming, algorithmic thinking and sequencing. The app has several practice levels and in-app purchases for further learning.
Devices: iPhone, iPad
14. CodeQuest
Codequest will teach you and your students the very basics of coding and programming using two fun cartoon characters that will take you on a journey on how to create a basic website. The app enables students to choose sections through the website design process and solve problems and mini games to create the basic HTML and CSS programming. The app enables the student to create a profile and discover areas such as Beginners Bungalow - that teaches basic HTML coding, Hurricane Heading - to discover fonts and text, Colourfalls - to discover website colour and Puerto Paragraph - where content can be added. If you are looking for a fun app that teaches basic coding with great results this this is a resourceful app that will deliver on many levels.
Devices: iPhone, iPad
15. Pocket Code
Using a programming interface that will be familiar to users of Scratch, Pocket Code is a continually improving app devoted to allowing children, or indeed anyone, to learn how to program. A comprehensive help section is built into the app.
Devices: Android
Get kids programming in the most fun way, by playing an actual game! Light-bot for Hour of Code is meant to introduce kids who have no experience whatsoever about programming, and is all-ages friendly! That means anyone anywhere from K to 12 can play, have fun and learn real programming.
Devices: Android