Apple introduced its Swift programming language a couple of years ago, and while we guess it is aimed more at developers, Apple has also explored the idea of targeting future potential developers through Swift Playgrounds, an app that teaches kids how to code. Now it looks like Apple is furthering their efforts through a partnership with Tynker.
Tynker, for those unfamiliar, is a STEM education platform based in San Francisco. Both companies have come together and have released two game-based programming apps that are aimed towards children in a bid to make learning coding a fun experience. Coming in the form of Space Cadet and Dragon Spells, both apps are free to download.
According to the description, “Space Cadet and Dragon Spells are introductory courses that teach programming fundamentals in a fun, engaging, and intuitive way, through 115 levels of coding puzzles and do-it-yourself projects. In Space Cadet, students in kindergarten through second grade solve puzzles and complete programming challenges set in space. In Dragon Spells, third through fifth grade students learn programming fundamentals as they train their dragon and collect treasures. In both courses, students learn through creative play as they solve puzzles, build projects, and animate characters.”
While it is aimed at children, we suppose if you’re an adult with no background or experience in coding, these apps could also come in handy to grasp the basics of working through an algorithm to arrive at the desired result. The games are available via the Tynker app which you can grab from the iTunes App Store.