CodeMonkey (software)

CodeMonkey is an educational computer coding environment that allows beginners to learn computer programming concepts and languages.[2][3][4] CodeMonkey is intended for students ages 6–14. Students learn text-based coding on languages like Python, Blockly and CoffeeScript, as well as learning the fundamentals of computer science and math.[5] The software was first released in 2014, and was originally developed by Jonathan Schor, Ido Schor and Yishai Pinchover, supported by the Center for Educational Technology in Israel.

CodeMonkey
Original author(s)Jonathan Schor, Ido Schor and Yishai Pinchover.
Developer(s)CodeMonkey Team
Written inRuby, CoffeeScript, JavaScript
Operating systemCross-platform
Available inMultilingual
TypeIntegrated development environment
LicenseWeb[1]
Websitewww.codemonkey.com

Development history

CodeMonkey software program in form of a game for children was developed by three software engineers from Haifa, Palestine: the brothers Jonathan and Ido Schor and Yishai Pinchover. The trio set up a start-up company CodeMonkey Studios Ltd., supported by the Center for Educational Technology. The game was launched in May 2014 and is currently available in 23 languages.[4] The company has offices in Israel and USA.[2][3] Since 2014, CodeMonkey launched several additional programming tools in form of games including Coding Adventure, Game Builder,[6] Dodo Does Math, Banana Tales, CodeMonkey Jr. and Beaver Achiever.[7] In 2018, the software company was acquired by TAL Education Group,[8][9] a Chinese holding company, but remained active as its independent subsidiary also retaining its software development team.[3] In June 2020, CodeMonkey joined UNESCO distance learning initiative and offered free courses for all schools that were forced to close during the Covid-19 lockdown.[10][11]

Overview and functionality

The game does not require prior programming experience and is intended for children from the age of 6. It allows the user to make his first steps in programming but also progresses to more advanced topics. The teaching method is experiential, in accordance with the principles of Game-based learning: the children control the figures of animals and direct them to collect bananas, overcoming various obstacles. One of the salient features of the game is that it requires writing actual textual code, as opposed to games that work in a method that represents commands using graphical blocks.[12][13][14]

Supported language

The programming languages are Python and CoffeeScript,[6] chosen mostly due to a friendly syntax. Some games like CodeMonkey Jr. and Beaver Achiever rely on block-based coding using Blockly.[12]

Integration of the game in schools

The games are intended for individual use and for educational classrooms and have been selectively applied by schools and school centers in several countries including Israel,[3][15] United States, UK, China, India and Bhutan,[16] among others.[17][18] CodeMonkey was also integrated in the Israeli Cyber Championship for Elementary Schools (Skillz Olympics) and a high school software program also called Skillz, where CodeMonkey games are a part of coding competition for young students.[2][19][20]

See also

References
  1. "Open Source Software". CodeMonkey.
  2. "Global EdTech Investments And Outlook: 10 EdTech Companies You Should Know About". Forbes.
  3. "TAL Education Group Buys Codemonkey for $20 Million". CalCalist Tech.
  4. "CodeMonkey: הקוף שילמד את הילדים לתכנת (Translation from Hebrew: CodeMonkey: The monkey that will teach kids to program)". Haaretz.
  5. "The monkey that will learn to program through play". YNet Digital.
  6. "CodeMonkey Launches Game Builder Platform to Help Students Become Creators". The Journal.
  7. "Timeline of launched games". CodeMonkey Studios.
  8. "CodeMonkey Acquired by TAL Education Group". EdSurge.
  9. "Israeli Educational Coding Startup CodeMonkey Acquired By China's Leading EdTech Group". NoCamels.
  10. "Codemonkey free for closed schools". eSchool News.
  11. "CodeMonkey Joins UNESCO Initiative for COVID-19 Educational Response". CodeMonkey Studios.
  12. "CodeMonkey basics". Free Online Encyclopedia.
  13. "Codemonkey – תכנות למידה מרגש לילדים (Hebrew Translation:Codemonkey - exciting learning programming for kids)". EdwardsRailCar.
  14. "The monkey who teaches our children to program raises a million and a half dollars". Geek Time.
  15. "ילדי כתות ג' בנס ציונה למדו תכנות בפלטפורמת Code Monkey (Translation from Hebrew: Ness Ziona children learned programming on the Code Monkey platform)". Ness Ziona Net.
  16. "His Majesty The King grants soelra for children to learn coding". KUENSEL.
  17. "מאות בתי ספר משתתפים ב'משחק התכנות הגדול' (Translation from Hebrew: Hundreds of schools participate in the 'Great Programming Game')". IT Portal.
  18. "Coronavirus: 11 plataformas de educación online gratuitas y en español que los países nórdicos liberaron por la pandemia". BBC News Mundo.
  19. "אודות אליפות הסייבר (Translation from Hebrew: About the Cyber Championship". Ministry of Education in Israel.
  20. "The great programming game of schools in the country began through the game". Telecom News.
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