Website: Picular

PICULAR is a search tool for colors.

This fascinating search engine connects users with the world of color. Users enter a search term to see colors related to the word such as oceans or frog. Users can click on the color number to copy the number. Or, they can click the image icon for an image connecting the word and image.

Librarians will find this to be a useful website for talking with youth about search tools. Also, connect this tool to the art and computer science curriculum.

Students involved with design or coding activities will find the numbered colors useful in programming, while art students enjoy exploring the connection between words and colors.

To visit the website, go to https://picular.co/.

Website: Tinkercad

TINKERCAD from Autodesk is a free online collection of 3D design and engineering tools created for students.

This easy-to-use app helps students apply 3D design, electronics, and coding skills. Users can begin using the tool immediately. Or, they can explore the gallery for ideas. Learning tools are built into the software. Lessons are available to teach 3D design, electronics, and coding skills.

Librarians will find these tools provide a fun way to introduce design and engineering concepts. The tools provide an easy introduction to 3D design.

To visit the website, go to https://www.tinkercad.com.

Website: Pencil Code

PENCIL CODE is a free, online programming language editor for kids.

Users can jump right in by clicking the “Let’s Play” button. Or, explore activities in the areas of art, music, or adventure. Users can also explore shared student projects.

Teaching and learning resources are available including manual and a code book. An online guide is also available.

Librarians will find this tool to be a fun way to explore coding skills with students. Weave the editor and online resources into computer, math, art, music, and writing activities.

To visit the website, go to https://pencilcode.net/.

Website Review: Species in Pieces

SPECIES IN PIECES is an interactive exhibition featuring thirty of the world’s most interesting, but endangered species.

This database allows users to browse through the animals or select a specific creature to examine. Rather than showing photographs, the project uses CSS polygons to visualize each animal. For each creature, users can read basic facts, explore statistics, watch a video, and explore a conservation website.

Librarians will find this exhibition to be an engaging way to start an investigation of endangered animals. Ask students to explore the exhibit, then select one of the animals to examine in-depth. Help learners use subscription databases, books, and other resources to gather the latest information about their creature.

The CSS polygons found on this website will fascinate students and teachers alike. Use this website to jumpstart a coding activity where students create their own animal images.

To explore the website, go to http://species-in-pieces.com.

Tech Review: Twine

TWINE is an open source tool for writing and sharing interactive stories.

This easy-to-use tool allows users to create simple, non-linear stories. Users can either download the software or use the online version. Computer science students can extend the experience by applying simple programming skills. The stories are published to HTML so they are easy to share.

A Q&A area, live chat, cookbook of examples, and wiki reference documentation provide assistance for users.

Librarians will find that this tool allows students to the create choose-your-own-adventure stories, interactive fiction, and games across the curriculum. English teachers will find this to be a motivating tool for creative writing activities, while computer science teachers will discover many uses related to applying coding skills.

To visit the website, go to http://twinery.org/.

Website Review: What Is Code?

WHAT IS CODE? by Paul Ford is an interactive website exploring the topic of programming.

Published by Bloomberg, this online resource is aimed at young adults and adults interested in learning about the past, present, and future of coding.

Organized into seven chapters, this engaging informational reading experience contains text along with lots of animated examples.

Librarians will find this resource to be a useful addition to the high school computer science curriculum.

To visit the website, go to https://www.bloomberg.com/grap…/2015-paul-ford-what-is-code/.

Technology Review: National Public Radio

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO is a website that houses dozens of audio programs broadcast by NPR.

From creative storytelling to news reporting, NPR is known for their high-quality audio programming. In partnership with their member stations, they produce, acquire, and distribute content for the general public related to events, ideas, and culture.

The website provides access to both live and recorded programming. This content is divided into news, arts and life, and music. The news section features short news stories. While some of these contain audio, others are text with graphics. The Arts and Life section contains short articles and audio segments focused on books, movies, pop culture, food, art and design, performing arts, and photography. The music section provides access to streaming radio, articles, audio and video recordings, and featured music.

The programs and podcasts section features dozens of radio programs related to news and conversation, storytelling and humor, and music. A podcast directory is available to locate audio programs of interest.

Audio tools provide access to live radio and current programming. The “our picks” section highlights featured topics.

Librarians will find this website useful to both students and teachers. Students will find high quality information useful in class projects as well as topics of personal interest. Teachers will find the short news and information programs useful across the curriculum.

To visit the website, go to http://www.npr.org/.

Technology Review: Audiosear.ch

AUDIOSEAR.CH is a search tool that helps users locate podcasts and radio programs.

Whether seeking a professional development program or children’s radio broadcast, this search tool helps users find useful audio programming. Users can search phrases, shows, topics, networks, or people. The tool provides a full text search as well as recommendation API for podcasts and radio.

In addition to the search engine, users can also see what’s trending on Twitter and popular with their reviewers.

Librarians should keep in mind that this resource isn’t specifically designed for students. However, it’s a useful tool for youth seeking an alternative to text-based information and print literature. Also, consider using it in working with at-risk and special needs students who may benefit from using their auditory senses for learning. Consider signing up for their Pod-A-Day podcast that provides podcast recommendations.

To try a search, go to https://www.audiosear.ch/.

Website Review: MIT's App Inventor

MIT’s APP INVENTOR is a website for teaching and learning how to build mobile apps for Androids.

The website contains field-tested tutorials that beginners can use to learn programming and app development.

The website is divided into two sections: Learn and Teach.

The Learn section provides access to a “course in a box”, video tutorials, a book, and other learning materials.

The Teach section section contains useful resources to help teachers design courses and modules that use the App Inventor software. It contains lesson plans, teaching ideas, and lots of suggestions and examples.

Librarians will find this to be a useful resource for technology teachers developing instructional materials related to programming. It’s also a great website for students who want to learn on their own apps. Computer clubs and after-school groups may also benefit from the resources at the website.

To visit the website, go to http://www.appinventor.org/.

Website Review: Made With Code

MADE W/ CODE is a Google Project focusing on inspiring girls to pursue careers related to computer science. Their Holiday Lights project is a fun and easy way to introduce the concept of coding. #MadeWithCode

The PROJECTS section provides beginner, intermediate, and advanced coding projects that involve youth in coding snowflakes, avatars, and other fun activities.

The MAKERS section highlights girls who are making a difference in the world through coding. Watch short videos featuring these young women.

The MENTORS section includes short videos from women of all ages and backgrounds who have used coding to reach their dreams. From musicians and filmmakers to activists and storytellers the testimonials illustrate the power of technology.

Use the COMMUNITY, EVENTS, and RESOURCES sections to jumpstart your own MADE W/ CODE program in your library. Connect the website with computer software, apps, and library books young people can use in coding projects. You can even download a kit for a library code party!

Go to https://www.madewithcode.com/ for the general website.
Go to https://holidays.madewithcode.com/project/lights for the Code the Holidays Project.

App Review: Hopscotch

HOPSCOTCH is one of a growing number of apps build to teach programming to children.

The app is a visual programming language designed to help children develop a sense of computational thinking. Youth apply skills in logic and critical thinking to design simple games, animations, and stories.

Inspired by MIT’s Scratch, HOPSCOTCH is the first program designed for mobile devices such as the iPad. Students drag and drop colorful blocks of code to build simply programs. Recommended for children 8 and up, it’s particularly useful for young children who lack advanced reading and typing skills needed for traditional programming.

The free version has limited characters and options. A School Edition of the program is available with these features unlocked.

To learn more about the program, check out the FAQs at http://gethopscotch.com/faq.

To download the free app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/hopscotch-coding-for-kids/id617098629.

To download the school version, go to https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/hopscotch-school-edition/id901455276