EJCMom Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 My second-grade son has expressed an interest in working with computers when he gets older. Unfortunately, I'm fairly illiterate when it comes to computers. Is there anything out there -- book, website, etc. -- that would be good for teaching him about computers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 we did a summer unit with scratch a few years ago, when my youngest was between 2nd and 3rd grade. it was slightly over his head so i had to work with him a lot. there is a comic-book style book to teach kids how to use scratch - called super scratch programming adventure. you could check that out. they have a very basic tutorial on the website, but i find its easier to go through a book sometimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnemosyne Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 What exactly are you looking to teach him? Basic programming? How to use Word/Excel/Powerpoint? Typing? Internet safety? There is a multitude of different resources out there depending on your goals. If you specify a little, I'd be happy to point you in whichever direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Apple has free classes in many of their stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomandlorih Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 This might be to old for him but I just learned about it and it might be a good place to find info. http://www.code.org/learn/scratch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJCMom Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 we did a summer unit with scratch a few years ago, when my youngest was between 2nd and 3rd grade. it was slightly over his head so i had to work with him a lot. there is a comic-book style book to teach kids how to use scratch - called super scratch programming adventure. you could check that out. they have a very basic tutorial on the website, but i find its easier to go through a book sometimes What is Scratch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJCMom Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 What exactly are you looking to teach him? Basic programming? How to use Word/Excel/Powerpoint? Typing? Internet safety? There is a multitude of different resources out there depending on your goals. If you specify a little, I'd be happy to point you in whichever direction. I guess I don't even really know that. What is a good place to start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Scratch is a graphical programming language. Instead of using the keyboard, you put little "blocks" together on the screen to create a programming language It is definitely within reach of a 2nd grader, and he will be able to write animated stories. To get into more complex algorithms, most 2nd graders are not ready, but a few are. I started my daughter at age 9 (maybe 8) and she really enjoyed Scratch. http://scratch.mit.edu/ for teachers using scratch: http://scratched.media.mit.edu/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 I guess I don't even really know that. What is a good place to start? Keyboard skills. Get Garfield http://garfield.typingpal.com/ You don't go far with computers if your keyboarding skills are lacking. Better get into good habits right from the start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Wow, Cleo, thats great about the garfield typing tutor - i used that when my teen was 9 and he loved it, but i hadnt seen it for sale anywhere - and updated for windows 7! i might have to get that for my younger one! there is a cartoon style book to teach kids to use scratch, its called super scratch programming adventure. its a fun way to start. scratch is free and designed to help kids learn to program. the user community is very helpful, too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomandlorih Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ This is a free typing program. Also, if he needs to learn about computers before he learns to program them.. There is the tech program from www.learning.com They have a K-2 program and a 3-6. Only $15 for a year of access. (after you set up the account, you go in and assign lessons I think). Look under Curriculum + Assessments at the top of the page. It's called EasyTech. They have Online Safety and Keyboarding/word processing programs too. From the same folks as AHA! Math and AHA! Science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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