“I have been working with this program for three years. I have used it as a unit with grades 7 and 8 in a STEM class setting. I was trained through VidCode but had previously had no other training or exposure to coding. The best part is the versatility of learning. It not only has a block-based component, with which most “self-taught” student coders are familiar, but it also has a text based component. There is enough repetition that I and my students are coding on their own in a very short amount of time. Since becoming trained in VidCode, I have tried other coding programs and I do not find them as easy to use or as informative as VidCode. I am grateful to work with such a wonderful group of people as those who are the creators of VidCode. They are generous and rapidly responsive to my questions and with providing support!”

““A perfect product to excite teens about coding”

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“As the projects become more complex, the lessons cover all the basics of object-oriented programming, from simple linear programming to complex object properties with user interactions, creating games and simulations. Programming is taught through interactive tasks, requiring minimal parental or teacher preparation and oversight, and teens are encouraged to add their own style and sense of humor to the projects they create. Unlike many introductory programming sites, this successfully targets older youths without either being painfully cute or overcomplicating the coursework. The look and feel are clearly for middle and high school: users can choose from a generic library of images (including, for example, the well-known “Doge” meme star) or even upload their own videos and photos.”

“I currently have 6 kids who are in our current class. They absolutely love it! After the hour is up there is a great big groan because it went too fast! I plan to continue with this group throughout the year and add another class after school hours. So far it has been very user friendly and I have been able to teach it flawlessly!
I have a class tomorrow and will ask them if they have any feedback they would like to send to you as well.
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““[Vidcode] opened up a new world of what I can do when I grow up. I think technology can just be a different medium for your art.””

““I always resisted learning how to code because I thought it would be boring and complicated, but this really changed my mind.””

“I tried other platforms—and found them cold, distant, too adult. Vidcode is so young and vibrant. It gives students a sense of ownership. Vidcode is wonderfully visual and students don’t get left behind, as can easily happen on other platforms. I want students to leave a lesson feeling comfortable with JavaScript. Scratch is a great introduction to code, but there has to be a natural way to tackle the barrier to learning a serious language—Vidcode carries them over that barrier.”

“I will also say that as a person with NO background in computer science, I found it to be an awesome learning experience and totally accessible to teach to my class. ”

“I’ve been going to PD for 14 years. This was hands down the best PD I’ve ever been to because it was a teacher-driven PD that adjusted to our needs and taught me a brand new skill to bring back to my students. The time flew by because it was enjoyable to be in such a creative atmosphere.”

“Students were so excited they didn’t want to go to their next class, which was air conditioned. Thanks for making it fun for them with this program. The level of engagement is astonishing.”

“I’ve been a fan of Vidcode since I found their Snapchat coding module when I was looking for coding content that is appealing to girls. The Vidcode content is fresh and appealing to a younger generation of digital natives. There’s lots of robotics content in Australian schools and Vidcode’s Creative Coding offers something a little different. Kids love arts, crafts and customizing content which is why I think they’ll love the Vidcode content as this provides an easy, fun and quick way of incorporating these.”

“Thank you for one of the best professional development courses I’ve ever taken. It was substantial, social, fun, and inspiring. A great combo for busy teachers!

Your stories are incredible too. Vidcode feels like such a team effort, everyone has an area of expertise that contributes to a super learning tool. In contrast to Scratch or Alice, (I don’t mean to be overly negative about Scratch—I think it is a great learning tool too) that are put out by Universities, these CS experiences still uphold the programming stereotype—a group of men with academic backgrounds. You completely normalize coding. I can see this as something I do in my daily life—I just made a T-Rex Rainbow meme for my 4 year old daughter!

Again thanks. I am one exhausted teacher at this point in the year so to feel this amount of excitement and inspiration is just amazing.
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“My homeschooled son completed Vidcode’s Computer Science 101 - 401 courses as a sophomore in high school. CS 101-201 was a great introduction to programming and taught the basics of JavaScript using guided tutorials and fun projects. CS 301-401 was more challenging and he learned to write more complex pieces of code. He learned how to debug code and enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing the code working! He is looking forward to taking Creative Coding 3 next to challenge himself further and learning new concepts.

I appreciated Vidcode’s guided tutorials that allowed him to start coding without feeling intimidated. Their incremental approach helped him to progress naturally to writing more complex code without being overwhelmed. The easily accessible sample code was a great tool to help figure out mistakes and debug code.

Vidcode has been a good choice for us as a homeschooling family.”

“My kids are loving it, and find it easy so far. This is why I want to push a challenge with additional courses.
What you have provided is so comprehensive:
1. tutorials for kids are clear (spoken instructions by the british robot is a nice addition)
2. bridge from block based coding to text is a smooth transition. (kids have experience with scratch and code.org)
3. relevant with filters, memes, and gifs
4. I created edpuzzles with the provided slideshows, so kids are learning and using appropriate vocabulary.
5. Kids submit their assignments with answers to reflection questions (vidcode created) in the description, so I get feedback on what we need to spend more time on.

It has been a beautiful week here, so we have taken our chromebooks outside to code while spread out on blankets in the sunshine.
Thank you for helping me to end this crazy year on such a great note!!”