At the risk of sounding a little meta, perhaps the only thing kids like more than playing video games is creating them. Designing, programming, and coding a video game can become its own type of game, and that’s what industry-leading coding teachers leverage to make computer class thrilling for children.
Let’s take a closer look at how leading online coding classes make learning computer skills the ultimate game.
Video Games at the Centre of Everything
The best weekly online coding course teaches young kids and teenagers how to create video games with varying levels of complexity. You won’t have to drag your children to class when the subject is learning how to design and code a video game! If anything, you’ll struggle to pull your child away from the computer.
Young kids can make a game resembling Pac-Man in Python, then extend their skills within that language as they develop. Then, when they’re ready to advance to the next coding language, they can.
The best coding courses harness the same gamification dynamics used to make UX and other digital platforms so engaging and addictive. You won’t have to force them to learn when sessions revolve around building computer games or even nudge them.
In-Demand Coding Languages
Some coding languages are more in demand in professional video game development circles than others. There’s a major difference between learning general computer skills, developing STEM skills, and walking away with the domain knowledge to program in popular coding languages.
Don’t enroll in a program unless they teach some of the following coding languages:
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript
- C#
- C++
Such languages are functional and practical. Young kids and beginner coders can start creating a Pac-Man-style game. As their skills develop, they’ll gradually get pushed into more complex lessons. From math concepts like integers, vectors, and even trigonometry, kids learn core lessons when learning how to design video games.
They’ll also exit the program with the specific skills they’ll need one day to get an exciting, high-paying job.
Supportive Environments
Fun, engaging subjects are excellent for students, but that’s not all they need. Children are set up for success when they don’t need to compete with their classmates for their teacher’s attention.
Whether the session is online or offline, classes should be limited to four students per teacher. That way, teachers can devote their full attention to everybody, and students don’t need to navigate loud or disruptive environments when learning a new skill.
Ideally, the teachers should skew young. Younger computer teachers with backgrounds in computer science or computer engineering also grew up playing sophisticated video games on their home computers. Their recent experience navigating the job market makes them the perfect resources for teenagers planning their next moves after high school. More than that, they have first-hand experience loving computer games they can pass along to the next generation.
Your child may start their coding journey with video games, which would be excellent and fun! Maybe it will take them in a different direction, as there is no shortage of jobs available to people with computer skills. Either way, online coding classes let them have a lot of fun today while developing skills they need tomorrow.
Marziano is a seasoned tech expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and multiple certifications, including CompTIA A+, Network+, and Cisco’s CCNA, he has a well-rounded and robust understanding of various aspects of technology.