How to get started with coding

South Bend Code School

South Bend Code School teaches students ages seven through 18 technology skills through project development. We offer in-school partnerships, as well as after-school programs. Students can plug into any number of different learning tracks based on their interests and technological understanding. No prior coding experience is required for any of our classes.

IT Sector Partnership

The IT Sector Partnership’s goal is to build a technology workforce in the South Bend-Elkhart region. The partnership offers in-person training programs in technical support and career pathways in software development, with additional training opportunities to be added in the future.

Technology Resource Center

The Technology Resource Center in South Bend’s Ignition Park was built to democratize technology in our region. All are welcome at the TRC to learn about technology and data, gain skills and help build an inclusive tech future for South Bend.

Codecademy

This was the first online tutorial that I used when I decided to learn how to code. Codecademy encourages you to learn by doing. The platform is great for learners interested in growing their programming skills, whether for fun or career development.

Code.org

Code.org uses block-based programming to introduce coders to the critical thinking that happens behind most programming languages. Code.org's interface is excellent for pre-readers and elementary school students. It is also helpful to parents and educators who are interested in learning more about coding.

Scratch

Scratch is perfect for middle-school students and educators looking to integrate coding into the classroom. It was built by MIT to educate young minds in computer science skills through exposure to fun, game-based learning. Students use visual elements to learn some of the fundamentals that are applicable to many coding languages, and their experience is enhanced by a community of support.

Khan Academy: Computer Programming

Khan Academy provides a soft introduction to coding and programming for beginners. The website offers video tutorials and an interface for practicing coding—and it’s free! I would recommend this platform to learners who are looking for a community of support as they expand their coding knowledge.