Most educators will likely let learners use SpriteBox Coding individually as a way to reinforce or practice what they have already done in the classroom. It is definitely intended for personal use and learning, not as an educational tool. For example, after learning about looping her Unplugged activity, learners can explore uses of her SpriteBox to accomplish in-game tasks. Through discussion, learners were able to see how the use of loops simplified their coding.
SpriteBox Coding is also appealing to parents who want to introduce their kids to simple coding concepts through gameplay. Working with young children provides many opportunities to have conversations about how code can be used to solve problems. If you’re looking for a more bite-sized game for Hour of Code, try SpriteBox: Code Hour.
SpriteBox Coding is very thoughtfully designed to get you started. Introduces toddlers to basic coding concepts (e.g. loops, sequences, etc.). The challenges encourage you to try new things without frustration, and each level is short enough that learners can progress in a short amount of time. However, there is no in-game help or hints for when the player gets stuck.
Without the support of a teacher (or parent), very few learners see what they are doing as coding. Good explicit instructions allow learners to see how the game employs those concepts and, in the process, develop a better understanding of how coding works. Coding cannot be taught in isolation, so this app is a great way to put into practice concepts learned through more direct teaching activities. Completing tasks and reflecting on how what you have done leads to the lesson helps learners develop a deeper understanding.
Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spritebox.coding
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id1270538471?uo=4&at=10laCG&ct=website
User’s overall consensus about the app
student involvement
It offers young children a fun, quest-based game that combines basic coding skills with simple navigation. Short video instructions guide learners in collecting stars and solving puzzles.
Curriculum and instruction
Introduces learners to important concepts such as loops, sequences, and events. Over time, block-based coding has given way to text-based commands, but there’s no clear connection between what you’re doing in the game and coding.
customer support
Do not use voice or text instructions. Instead, there are simple and effective video illustrations to support learners. These are great for completing assignments, but make it harder to see the connection to actual coding.
