Educators can use Code Land – Coding for Kids to introduce basic coding concepts, or challenge more experienced coders with something new. Read the short game descriptions available from the info menu of each “land” to learn more about the concepts behind the games. Beginners should start in Logic Land, where logic games focus on general tasks such as forming a path that leads a robot to its end goal. Though the website indicates that all players need to start with the entry level, experienced coders can jump right to Multiplayer Land, where they’ll use advanced coding commands to program their performance in a game against the app or against a friend. Or they can dive into Create Land, which is more of a sandbox environment. There’s no placement test, so learners or educators will have to choose for themselves where to start. And regardless of learners’ skill level, educators will need to be on hand, as there’s little feedback or guidance in the app to help learners when they struggle.

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.learnyland.codeland&hl=en_US&gl=US

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id1574136692?uo=4&at=10laCG&ct=website

Overall User Consensus About the App

Learner Engagement

Bright colors and cute graphics have high kid appeal. Sometimes repetition across levels feels tedious, and without meaningful feedback, learners who don’t get the concept may lose interest.

Curriculum and Instruction

Through drag-and-drop block coding puzzles and games, learners experiment with lots of coding-related concepts such as logical thinking, sequencing, loops, functions, conditionals, and more.

Customer Support

Basic graphics demonstrate new concepts, but there’s little help after that. Learners can see which levels they’ve passed. No progress information for educators.