Want to Learn How to Code? These Sites and Apps Can Teach You for Free

Have a break, have a code break.

With coronavirus (COVID-19) forcing everyone to hibernate inside their houses, many workplaces and schools have had to close their doors and switch to online services.

With Zoom calls and Teams’ chats being the only form of communication between students and teachers, it can sometimes be a little bit harder for you to get all the learning done that you need, and that you want.

So, if you’re wanting to learn something new or you feel like you’re a bit behind in computer science, why not have a crack at learning to code while you’re in iso?

Computer science and coding often comes with the reputation of being 'too difficult' or really complicated when it can actually be quite fun, creative and even playful.

You don’t need to be a math whiz or have an eidetic memory to start strengthening your programming skills.

As well as learning a new talent that could be really useful in most jobs, coding is also a great way to start exercising the 'left' side of your brain and help you boost your logic and problem-solving skills.

When it comes to coding, there are loads of things that you can develop and try, whether its coding art, designing an app, solving a puzzle or even creating games.

If you’re interested but not sure where to start, there are currently a number of services available to you while the coronavirus pandemic keeps us indoors.

Code Break is an awesome option if you want to learn on a regular schedule, whether you’re a beginner, experienced or even if you don’t own a computer.

When you sign up to Code Break you gain access to weekly interactive classes, special guests and new challenges each week.

You can also watch previous weeks episodes on their website if you need to catch up.

Another great option for at home students is Microsoft MakeCode, which offers daily live streaming tutorial sessions to support learning during the coronavirus school closures.

This service offers various different computer programming platforms including their micro:bit and Circuit Playgound Express for circuit creation and their Cue app for more coding experience.

Each service on Microsoft Makecode is packed full of instructional and educational videos built for young people.

Minecraft Education Edition is also a super useful platform for students looking to learn coding but in a more interactive way.

Unlike other services, Minecraft Education Edition is a game-based learning platform that promotes collaboration, creativity and or course, problem solving.

The platform promotes STEM learning and is built to be classroom friendly, so it can be a useful tool for your teachers when schools eventually re-open.

You can access the Minecraft Education Edition by signing into your Microsoft account.

And finally, Pluralsight is offering members 7,000+ expert-led free video classes for all of April, so get your hands on it while you can.

You never know when and where you could use a skill like coding and computer programming, it could be in class, at work or it could even help you that fancy job you’ve dreamt about. So, get codin'.