Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 12-year-old James from Alabama! James likes playing with computers, mostly Roblox and Super Mario Odyssey. He also collects computers. His oldest model is a 1998 Dell! James talked with us about his experience coding with Tynker:
How did you get introduced to Tynker?
I’ve been coding for around two or three years now! I was in the second grade and I just learned it on my own when I first started!
What’s your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject is probably science because we do a whole lot of things in science! I like the hands-on intuitiveness of science!
How have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
Mainly, I’ve been doing slideshows, but I still don’t know how to do a lot of the AR stuff.
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
I told most of my family, but not any of my friends!
What is your favorite project you’ve made so far?
I’ve really only made Software History!
Where did you get the idea for your project?
It was the history of older operating systems and more new ones! In fact, my grandfather has the first portable PC that was sold in Alabama! I got the idea from the different softwares.
How do you get inspiration for your projects and why do you like to code?
My grandfather has been working on an older mainframe system, so he inspires me a lot!
What is your favorite way to use code?
I do use the “send message” block a lot!
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it?
I usually start debugging it, then I publish it!
What are you planning to make next?
I’m trying to make, sort of a web-based operating system on Tynker! I plan to make it real one day! I’ll call it Orion!
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
The simplicity! Sort of like where you don’t need a typing code, I mainly just use my tablet, which I like being able to use! I prefer that over PC!
How do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
I’m still trying to learn Python, but I’m getting there!
Do you think other kids should try coding?
I’d say yes because it’s a key thing if you want to use a computer when you’re older and when you try to debug it and such!
What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?
I would say, just try, try again and figure out what all the code blocks mean and make your own masterpiece!
Do you have an idea of what you want to be when you grow up?
I would maybe want to work for AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.), Microsoft, or Nvidia.
James’ dad, Larry, spoke to us about his son coding:
How do you feel about James learning to code?
He just picked it up very early on. You talked about the history of software operating systems and about three years ago he did an art class downtown. His masterwork was a history of all the different versions of Windows.
How do you support him in his coding endeavors?
Certainly, coding is going to give him something to focus and concentrate on, to focus his creativity. It’s just amazing how far he manages to take these things, far beyond anything that I’ve done, or ever attempted!
What benefits do you think coding has for your child?
In coding and everything, the computer does what you tell it to, not what you want it to do. So, it teaches you how to do things correctly and the logical processes on how things progress.
So, that’s something that I think society needs more of. He sticks to something for a long time and sees it through. For an 11-year-old to do a project that takes a month is really something.
Do you feel that James is better prepared for the future?
Yeah, being able to maneuver your way around the computer world is certainly an advantage for the future. Tech is where things are going and that’s certainly an area that a lot of people need to know a lot. He has the skills for and has taken to it and has clicked with him.
Thank you!
We want to thank James and his dad for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We’re looking forward to more projects from James – HAPPY CODING!
