New Apps: Codemoji

Codemoji

With Codemoji, the inner workings of websites are demystified as students get hands-on experience building webpages and animations. The "emoji" part of Codemoji is exactly that: a library of relatable emoticons that represent specific, text-based commands in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (for example, an HTML head tag is represented by a panda head emoji). Emojis are strung together to create lines of code that follow standard coding logic and syntax. Run the Codemoji in the Live Display box to instantly see the webpage or animation in action. The Show Tags tab displays the text version of the code.

Each lesson starts with step-by-step, multimodal instructions: text and a computerized text-to-speech option, followed by drag-and-drop animated instructions showing Codemoji moving from the Emoji Box into the Text Editor (in HTML lessons only). Students can run and get instant feedback on their code and progress at their own speed. There's a live-chatting feature, several how-to videos on YouTube, and a Codemoji Facebook page for additional resources.

Evo by Ozobot

Evo by Ozobot is a miniature robot with lights, sound, sensors, and wheels. It's designed to teach children how to code. Evo can be controlled with a joystick (in-app) or programmed with OzoBlockly, a web-based visual programming editor. Evo can also follow colored lines on white paper, where different color combinations give the robot specific commands such as U-turn, go fast/slow, or spin in a circle. Like its predecessor, Bit, Evo can be programmed without the mobile app. With the app, you can also drive Evo with Drive Mode, play interactive games, and earn experience points to unlock additional features. You can control multiple Evos simultaneously from the app, but only one user can be connected to an individual robot at a time. Users need an Evo account to access all app features. There's also a social feature enabling you to connect and chat with friends (with special protections for children under 13). The Evo Experience Pack with starter activities and stickers can be ordered separately for free from the Ozobot website.

Cozmo

Remember the digital pet Tamagotchi from the '90s? Take that concept of caring for a digital pet, give it a high-tech robot body and the personality of WALL-E, and voilà! you have a Cozmo. For elementary and middle school teachers (of any subject), Cozmo is a great way to get students interested in coding. Make Cozmo your class pet and assign different students daily chores like feeding it, playing with it, and programming games for their classmates to play. In language arts class, involve Cozmo in storytelling, and during math, program Cozmo to create patterns, plot coordinates, or solve problems.

SAM Labs

SAM Labs is a programming site where students develop engineering skills by using SAM blocks and the SAM Space app to create, modify, or enhance designs. Depending on the kit, hardware may include buttons, DC motors, LED lights, sliders, buzzers, and more, while software commands control behaviors, sound, timing, color, logic, and other aspects. On the SAM Space app, kids pair blocks with their device via Bluetooth and then connect and control the blocks using drag-and-drop software commands. On the SAM Labs site, kids can create and share programs using block coding as well as browse or post to the gallery of shared creations.

Compatibility with Lego blocks allows students to add pieces such as wheels, and the ability to connect with third-party apps makes it possible to interact with technology in ways limited only by the students' imaginations. Teachers can find ideas for classroom use via the website, which features short videos, detailed lesson plans (currently there's one free sample lesson and a number of paid lessons), a teacher guide, and a student documentation guide.

Tickle

Rather than controlling only one robot or device, Tickle lets students control a variety of robots, drones, Arduino boards, and other smart devices. Navigation includes Projects, where students can see demo programs, alter them, or create new ones; Courses, which takes students out of the app and online to view even more demos and lessons; and Devices, which highlights the Star Wars BB-8 robot, several droids, Arduino Bean, Dash & Dot robots, Sphero, and more.

To create the programs, students drag visual blocks of code into place, linking them to create the program. If they don't have a device, they can still program in-app games using 3D or augmented reality (AR).