SoloLearn: Learn to Code
Free coding classes, lots of user-generated examples.
Kids say
Based on 1 review
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SoloLearn: Learn to Code
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that SoloLearn: Learn to Code is an educational app geared toward adults and the terms of service specify a minimum age of 13. As such, there are no parental controls in place, and kids have free access to discussion boards with hundreds of thousands of adult users. There are pop-up ads, as well. Kids can follow other users (and can be followed), but there's no private chat option. Kids will need to create an account using a valid email address. While there was no language, violence, or other objectionable content present during the review, the addition of user-generated content means this can change at any time. Read the app's privacy policy to find out about the information collected and shared.
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What’s It About?
SOLOLEARN: LEARN TO CODE is a free app that allows users to learn coding skills in a dozen different languages, including JavaScript, Java, C++, Python, HTML, and SQL. Each course leads users through the learning from the basics on up, introducing more and more complex coding challenges as they go. There's a discussion board and hints for those who get stuck. To keep things fun, SoloLearn: Learn to Code offers a series of badges for tasks that range from completing the first lesson to creating lessons of your own. There's also a spot for users to post their own code for others to try and comment on. Those who like to compete will be able to challenge other users to answer questions and complete challenges to see who comes out on top.
Is It Any Good?
On the whole, this free set of coding lessons is a perfect option for those who want to get started without too much financial investment, but it's best for teens. Although SoloLearn: Learn to Code includes ads, they aren't intrusive. The platform doesn't have many bells and whistles, but it is clean and works as expected. The lessons do tend to hand-hold the user by anticipating answers with a certain number of characters. This has the effect of leading the user, but it can also be confusing, as the questions don't provide feedback until the answer is in the correct format. If you think the answer is 9 (a single-character number), but it's really 32, you simply can't move forward until you insert a second character. While it's possible to get stuck, you can always get a hint in the lesson or reach out to those on the discussion boards for assistance. The lessons themselves are clear and easy to follow, but starting with a basic foundation in some sort of coding logic will help fill in the gaps. With so many user-generated code examples, there's a lot of opportunity for inspiration, but also for coding examples to build on. All in all, it's a solid platform for starting a coding education.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Talk about coding. How does coding fit into your interests or plans for the future? What can you do with the skills you learn? How can SoloLearn: Learn to Code help?
Families can talk about social media. What are your family's rules about sharing online? What is or is not appropriate?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: hypothesis-testing, logic, problem solving, Creativity: innovation, making new creations, producing new content, Self-Direction: achieving goals, effort, initiative, Tech Skills: coding, digital creation, using and applying technology
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: December 8, 2017
- Category: Education
- Topics: STEM
- Publisher: Sololearn Inc
- Version: 1.2
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 9.0 or later; Android 4.0.3 and up
- Last updated: December 21, 2017
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