tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156391698509593922024-02-07T00:45:26.195-05:00Tech Age Kids | Technology for ChildrenThe latest technology news, opinions and reviews for kids. How to get the most from gadgets and the web. How to make sure your child is prepared for a future STEM career. And which toys, gadgets and books are worth buying. Just what you need to know to parent children in the tech age. DinosaurEgghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225458871867443101noreply@blogger.comBlogger869125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-75646553316756686032023-12-12T03:28:00.002-05:002023-12-12T03:31:07.500-05:00Drawing Data with Kids - A Heartfelt Book about Data for Children<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtri2zI9SJrR5qnMlna4KrB1UsTLWl1gImlKrhSIxS75eojv-VJ8KN2ubjqM_UAu2Y1hMmQlAX-Fk0ii6090dEMuXwlNTU28ht_qX6OqY_xSgpv4WXdHGz649ZT2LDTliy-SXvrrndgjRvA2VC7cskBr7Rts906TeVOuATOV7UkI1qt33iBl_BczZhng/s1090/drawing-data-kids-review.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Drawing data with kids review" border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1090" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtri2zI9SJrR5qnMlna4KrB1UsTLWl1gImlKrhSIxS75eojv-VJ8KN2ubjqM_UAu2Y1hMmQlAX-Fk0ii6090dEMuXwlNTU28ht_qX6OqY_xSgpv4WXdHGz649ZT2LDTliy-SXvrrndgjRvA2VC7cskBr7Rts906TeVOuATOV7UkI1qt33iBl_BczZhng/w640-h512/drawing-data-kids-review.png" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3uZO7lK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Drawing Data with Kids</a> is a story and activity book for children that weaves data stories into everyday life. The book is written by data expert Gulrez Khan and builds on his own experience as a father. His daughter is the main character in the book and we get to see the fun of visualizing data through her eyes. </p><p><b>Disclosure</b>: Gulrez got in touch and asked for a review of the book. Views are our own. Purchases made through links may result in a small payment that helps us to keep creating content. </p><p>Each chapter of the book tells a story or anecdote that leads to a data visualization. The examples are taken from the everyday life of Pariza and her brother and including her father's snoring! and playing board games. There are also activities for readers to complete in the book. </p><p>Here's one of the examples from the book where the family visualize results from playing a game:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_iBHvpbTujxTC123iXp6_oZBz5dAQpSe8OoPfBpNDSMu-fyE-AYkz4Xfv3zqlki_o-h1D84T-Ca0-_V0ysvQe2a_wG5pJqclFF_ZCm3oCsum7k95pDikFg8xDEuv0iM37uwZKYiYE9LJD27_q3yPrmdFPCI8C37nbi8esQRnbTnjRXl9a3KOu9MLT0I/s729/draw-data-kids-example.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image with colourful line graph showing game scores" border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="729" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_iBHvpbTujxTC123iXp6_oZBz5dAQpSe8OoPfBpNDSMu-fyE-AYkz4Xfv3zqlki_o-h1D84T-Ca0-_V0ysvQe2a_wG5pJqclFF_ZCm3oCsum7k95pDikFg8xDEuv0iM37uwZKYiYE9LJD27_q3yPrmdFPCI8C37nbi8esQRnbTnjRXl9a3KOu9MLT0I/w640-h568/draw-data-kids-example.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Depending on the school curriculum they are studying, parents may find that the concepts Pariza encounters are already familiar to their children. The book will provide a shared way to talk about these ideas and relate them to your own everyday life. </p><p>It's hugely important that all children see children from a variety backgrounds represented as belonging in technical fields. This book does a great job of sharing various aspects of Pariza's life which will be familiar to some readers and new to others - there's value in both cases.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I asked my good friend <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/farah-aly/" target="_blank">Farah Aly</a> to take a look at the book and give her perspective. Farah is a computer science educator with recent experience working with data. Here are Farah's thoughts:<br /><br /></div><blockquote>'Drawing Data with Kids' by Gulrez Khan is not just a personal and delightful read, it takes young readers on an adventure beautifully crafted for curious readers.<br /><br />The storytelling intertwined with real-world examples allows the reader to go on this heartwarming journey with Pariza and her family. Each chapter is captivating. Starting with a story following Pariza learning about a way to draw data, followed by a 'Time out' section giving a brief and crystal clear explanation of the concept, and finally a 'Your turn to play' section, offering a story based hands-on exercise for the reader to practise what they’ve seen, the structure makes learning about data both engaging and interactive.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Khan's evident passion for teaching transforms the seemingly complex into something tangible and fun. Whether you're a parent or an educator, 'Drawing Data with Kids' is a must-read. Khan's touch is sure to ignite a love for learning in every young reader.</div></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-8f2c9d72-7fff-f3a1-f87e-59d27403bd35"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span><div><br /></div><div>Drawing Data with Kids is a great way to continue or spark an interest in data and data visualization. Why is this important? Well the world runs on data. Businesses make decisions based on data, the future of the planet depends on how we analyse and interpret data. Data visualization is hugely important for helping people to understand data and influencing the decisions that get made using data. Data skills are currently in great demand in industry so an interest in data can lead to some great career opportunities. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>The book has the tagline:</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>"The idea is not to teach them but to make them fall in love with data."</blockquote></div></div><div>This exemplifies Khan's enthusiasm for sharing the topic which really comes through in the book. </div><div><br /></div><div>There should be more books like <a href="https://amzn.to/3uZO7lK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Drawing Data with Kids</a> that include computational topics as a part of everyday life and make it normal to be utterly passionate and curious about those topics. Stories help kids to make sense of the world. And the world is full of data and technology. <br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
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<script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-12911397363083848082023-11-20T14:41:00.001-05:002023-11-20T14:41:21.975-05:00🆕New Kids Coding and Tech Toys and Kits for 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOBVjrNxgXbKeBQWpzjP7lJuSoXP0ZhLic4xZ6dZfe53cHlaqg8bZ03SthO8w5NldKxh1T2nv14nWrS-xv3_gFkN64LzUeOLLjwq8MBDcnW3W8Lcv7rRuO-UOrog3Sf4tauzFncMyqkf1_WdzezyE5PY3VCVOKf8h8hS0niR7dlgNwiQbp_H_4STzqW4/s640/New%20coding%20toys%20and%20kits%20kids%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2023?" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOBVjrNxgXbKeBQWpzjP7lJuSoXP0ZhLic4xZ6dZfe53cHlaqg8bZ03SthO8w5NldKxh1T2nv14nWrS-xv3_gFkN64LzUeOLLjwq8MBDcnW3W8Lcv7rRuO-UOrog3Sf4tauzFncMyqkf1_WdzezyE5PY3VCVOKf8h8hS0niR7dlgNwiQbp_H_4STzqW4/w640-h480/New%20coding%20toys%20and%20kits%20kids%202023.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>What's new in kids coding and tech toys for 2023? Maybe you want to make sure that you're buying a gift that the child or teen doesn't already have, or maybe you just want to be among the first to get your hands on new kid tech. At Tech Age Kids we focus on technology that encourages kids to make with technology not just be passive consumers. We also look at products that enable kids to gain an understanding of the latest technologies in a safe and age appropriate way. Our round up includes some cool new hardware as well as a new app from the creators of Scratch (the app if free but kids will need access to a mobile device to use it with.)</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3R6JGhJ">Learning Resources Space Rover Deluxe Coding Activity Set</a> (age 4+) is a space themed programmable robot which adds another option to a popular range of themed coding robots. It builds on the popular Code and Go Mouse range but the robot is a space rover and kids have to code their way through lunar adventures. You get loads of accessories in this set and there are 20 coding challenges for kids to program the rover to solve. We like that this ties in with the real scenario of programming a space rover.<br /><br /></li>
<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/47Ibn5Q">Miko mini</a> (age 5+) is a mini and less expensive version of the AI-powered Miko robot. This version is more affordable and still has a range of AI features. AI is a conversational robot which uses voice to communicate with a child. Miko is positioned as an educational robot that teaches kids various topics using AI and with a focus on safety. The Miko Mini provides a way for kids to interact with the latest AI chat technology. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li><a href="https://octostudio.org/en/" target="_blank">OctoStudio</a> is a new app from the creators of the popular Scratch coding platform for kids. OctoStudio has been developed to run on mobile devices and turns a phone into a portable coding device. It's great for kids age 7 up and allows them to use block-based coding to write apps that make use of the sensors on a phone. The app itself is free. Kids will need access to a mobile phone to run it, an hand-me-down phone or older model should be just fine. Just make sure it has a compass feature (magnetometer) so you can make use of the neat magnet detection block. <br /><br /></li><li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/49FNL3M">Loti-Bot</a> (age 7+) is a new programmable floor robot from TTS, makers of the popular Bee-Bot and Blue-Bot. Loti-Bot is designed for age 7+ and has a great app and has a pen holder for precise drawing. Loti-Bot has been designed for use in educational settings but is also a great option for home enthusiasts as well as home educators. We've written a more detailed write up of the features of Loti-Bot.<br /><script type="text/javascript">
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</script><script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script><br /></li><li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/40Klk0k"> PYXEL Coding Pet </a> (age 8+) is a programmable pet robot from the Educational Insights brand. PYXEL is aimed at kids aged 8 and up and can be programmed with either block-based drag and drop coding or the Python text-based language which is popular in industry. PYXEL charges via USB-C which is really convenient. Educational Insights have a lot of experience in developing educational toys so it's great to see them expanding their range for older kids this year. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/46pnjZt">Meta Quest 3</a> (age 10+) is the latest version of the VR headset range. As well as releasing a new device this year, Meta have reduced the age rating from 13 to 10 which opens up the device to tweens. We're pretty impressed with the update. The new XR features which allow mixed reality in colour are pretty neat and there are new titles like LEGO Bricktales to make use of this feature. There are also ways for kids to code on or for the Meta Quest 3. You can use Scratch in the built-in web browser to create 2D projects and you can use A-frame to create 3D worlds that you can view in 3D from the web browser. <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2023/10/meta-quest-3-vr-headset-hands-on-review.html">Read our Meta Quest 3 hands-on review. </a><br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3G4AbsW">Chibitronics animating LED stickers</a> (age 12+) are a new range of animated LEDs for use electronics craft activities. Chibitronics make fab electronics for use in paper circuits. In 2023 they have added this new range with white animated LEDs, red/white fade heart LEDs and lovely rainbow star LEDs. We're suckers for colored lights and having new options from a trusted brand is brilliant.<br /></li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h2><div>There's quite a range of new products on the market this year for kids to learn about coding, electronics or get hands-on with the latest AI and VR/XR technology. There are also new products for a range of ages from preschoolers though to older kids and teens. And we've really <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2023/10/octostudio-mobile-coding.html">enjoyed the new release of OctoStudio</a> from the creators of the popular Scratch coding platform for kids. Definitely one to watch! You might also want to check our our overview of the new <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2023/10/amazon-kids-kindle-fire-paperwhite-and.html">Amazon Kids devices for 2023</a>. </div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-84364351674469321772023-11-19T05:24:00.002-05:002023-11-19T11:54:53.364-05:00👩🏾💻Coding Toys and Kits for Girls - Expert Picks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Mzn8UcDXxz0vCwV6UyfIQEQ06EaCKto28XifyWlT5wge9GORJ2-WMk5EmpfmApo5yrotxLhJOhUWhg83k1D0UPIHEd2qeHjMEWL1VjvSvurNu4Wf4vb_tV5MOncBhB5vFaQXqe7KaBFVgiu-wNT3wOjeIT17z_ASGbVslIhZ2UZh2ao6n0HjpxN4RDU/s1748/Coding%20toys%20and%20kits%20for%20girls.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Speech bubbles in bright pastel colours" border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1748" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Mzn8UcDXxz0vCwV6UyfIQEQ06EaCKto28XifyWlT5wge9GORJ2-WMk5EmpfmApo5yrotxLhJOhUWhg83k1D0UPIHEd2qeHjMEWL1VjvSvurNu4Wf4vb_tV5MOncBhB5vFaQXqe7KaBFVgiu-wNT3wOjeIT17z_ASGbVslIhZ2UZh2ao6n0HjpxN4RDU/w640-h454/Coding%20toys%20and%20kits%20for%20girls.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> We've written extensively on the topic of girls and coding and tech. Girls can play with and learn from the same toys and kits as boys, but many girls are drawn to a different style of play and creativity. In this post we've rounded up the coding toys and kits that have done best at having wider appeal to girls and kids who want to be creative and collaborative with tech.<br /><p></p><p>We've covered all the age groups here from toddlers and preschoolers through to teens. This is not about making things pink (not that we have any problem with a bit of pink, there's certainly too much blue around in kids programmable robots!) it's about the style of interaction and the design appeal. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3MRXrOW">Makeblock mTiny</a> is designed for kids aged 3-5 and comes from the Makeblock brand which makes fantastic coding education toys for a wide age range. The mTiny is a really cute floor robot which is programmable from a remote control and focuses on emotional play. It comes with loads of accessories including well design map tiles that can be arranged in different configurations and coding cards that can be scanned by the pen for programming. We also love the cute design of the panda which will appeal to lots of young girls. This isn't the cheapest option but you do get a lot of tech and content for the money. Look out for deals! <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/40MGHhv">Learning Resources Coding Critters MagiCoders: Skye the Unicorn</a> is made by Learning Resources, the maker of the popular Code and Go mouse. Skye the Unicorn offers a similar style of learning and play but is remotely programmed using a wand. The toy comes with lots of accessories and is really reasonably priced. It's the kind of gift that completely qualifies as a toy but offers a lot more. This toy completely leans in to the magic theme with a book of coding spells. Skye the Unicorn is designed for kids age 4+ who love unicorns and rainbows. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3SGYVzc">The Osmo-Coding Starter kit</a> works with a tablet or phone and you need to pick the right kit for your tablet. We <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2016/11/osmo-educational-gaming-system-for-ipad.html">love the Osmo-Coding kit</a>. It uses a set of physical pieces to program a character in an app on the tablet or phone - the device's camera recognizes the pieces. The app is really fun and well-designed. It's really lovely to see an alternative to floor robots that still has a tangible, physical pieces. You can read our longer review on the Osmo-Coding stater kit. It's recommended for age 5-10 and has been well-designed to be inclusive of girls. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3ukZJzJ">OhBot Picoh</a> is a programmable robot head that you can have conversations with. We're <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2016/03/ohbot-kids-programmable-robot-head.html">long-time fans of the OhBot</a> range of programmable robot heads but we did ask why their original OhBot was blue (ours used to accompany is to events and act as a robot receptionist!). We love that the newer Picoh is available in white and orange. It might seem like a small detail but it's important for girls to see tech toys as 'for us'. The Picoh displays its emotions used a matrix of LED lights and lips that are moved with motors. The Picoh connects to an app on desktop computer and can be programmed using block-based coding or the Python text-based programming language. This is a great way to experiment with the emotional aspects of robots using voice detection and generation and emotional expression through the LED eyes and moving lips. It's recommended from age 7 (with supervision) but this will appeal to older teens too.</li><li> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3MPimlw">Makeblock xLight</a> is a programmable night light with loads of different features and accessories packed into it. It has an accompanying app that can be used to program coloured light effects using a drag and drop block-based app. There's a physical rainbow add-on as well as other light accessories including a blank board with a pen for creating your own designs and then lighting them. The night light supports gesture control so kids can create interactive light displays and games. There's a neat remote control and it supports music sync too. We love that girls will get to experience creating a real gadget that they can use and show to friends and family. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3MP0zLt">imagiCharm</a> is a programmable grid of coloured LEDs in a nicely designed case that can be clipped to a backpack. The imagiCharm can be programmed from an app on a phone using the Python programming language. Python is a real programming language used in industry. The recommended age range is 8-12 so this is great for the tween age group. It's been designed specifically for girls and it shows - it's creative purposeful and social. Tweens can program the imagiCharm to create colourful displays and animations and then share what they've made. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3R9kTK8">TinyCircuits Thumby, Tiny Game Console</a> is a really small fully functioning games console. You can create your own games or animations and play them with the built in button controls. Thumby is programmed using MicroPython, a version of the popular Python programming language that has been adapated to run on programmable hardware devices. Thumby comes preloaded with 5 games so kids can see what is possible. It's only a black and white screen, but that is reflected in the accessible price and it is a nice OLED display. The Thumby Code editor runs in a web browser and supports block-based Blockly coding or text-based MicroPython. You can even connect devices together with a link cable. Thumby is for age 8 through to adult - ideal for a tech family. The TinyCircuits Thumby makes our list for its cuteness and choice of colours (yes there's pink but there's also a lovely teal colour) combines with real educational value and social play potential. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3ukrnwC">KOOKYE LilyPad Sewable Starter Learning Electronics Kit for Arduino</a> is a kit for making several sewable electronics projects. e-textiles is a popular way into tech for girls. The kit requires sewing and following instructions carefully so it's probably suitable for around age 10+. You get the complete materials for 5 projects including LEDs, a light sensor, conductive thread, a coin cell battery holder, colorful felt and a LilyPad controller that you can load code onto. This is a great value kit and non-tech families will be able to get a lot of value from the included projects, those who get really interested will be able to take the LilyPad platform a lot further - it's actually an Arduino device and you can program it and add lots more accessories. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3sHS1Pv">Chibitronics - Love to Code Creative Coding Kit</a> is a beautiful book-based kit with a programmable 'Chibi Chip' microcontroller. Chibintronics takes the popular format of paper based electronics and makes it easily accessible by bundling everything together into a book complete with story-based activities, LED lights and copper tape for making connections. We <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2018/03/chibitronics-love-to-code-beta-review.html">reviewed the original Beta of the Chibitronics</a> and loved the link to art and creativity that it brings. Code is written in a friendly web-based editor, you don't need to install anything. Code is uploaded to the Chibi Chip used the headphone jack of a phone or computer so make sure the intended recipient has access to a suitable device. The recommended age rating is 13+ and we think it would appeal to design-minded teen girls who think they might be interested in tech or the application of tech in creative industries. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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<li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3SNc1L6">LINGO STEM Coding Kit </a> is a complete kit for building a backup sensor for a car. The LINGO STEM kit allows kids to build a practical real world gadget and gets praise for being easy to use. It includes video tutorials and gives young people a view into how tech is used in industry. This kit makes it on to our list for getting great reviews and for being designed by an inspirational tech woman. Aisha Bowe is a former NASA rocket scientist turned tech entrepreneur and she founded LINGO to inspire the next generation. <br /> <script type="text/javascript">
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</ul><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Summary - Coding Toys and Kits for Girls</h2><div>There's a great range of coding toys and kits on the market in 2023 to appeal to girls who want an option that has been designed for their interests. This isn't about making things pink. It's about making sure that there are options that appeal to children whose interests are more aligned with creativity, design, emotions and communication. It's really important to bring those young people into tech. </div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-72349842873289255112023-11-18T06:23:00.000-05:002023-11-18T06:23:05.917-05:00🥽Meta Quest 3 VR Headset Games and Apps for Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy58Pmm6sNiaHj8rF4Ld6eyb4UzgQXS12RQFNq7Oq4v-sDSHgamByz3xd9bHb6UPiJp_F_2GBI6TNdmHWuPzDRpHKHJP4RwB6oWd4Xxa2PuQWoDl6Yh3re-YVyyhAAMCpXlXkZyo2MBlIQ6T_5z9dHdMfkxkQTVIFg875P1JwczloEmF-79r_BeYpUufw/s1920/meta-quest-3-apps-game-age-10-11-12.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy58Pmm6sNiaHj8rF4Ld6eyb4UzgQXS12RQFNq7Oq4v-sDSHgamByz3xd9bHb6UPiJp_F_2GBI6TNdmHWuPzDRpHKHJP4RwB6oWd4Xxa2PuQWoDl6Yh3re-YVyyhAAMCpXlXkZyo2MBlIQ6T_5z9dHdMfkxkQTVIFg875P1JwczloEmF-79r_BeYpUufw/w640-h360/meta-quest-3-apps-game-age-10-11-12.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />Meta have recently announced that the age rating for the Meta Quest 3 has been reduced from 13 to 10. Preteens can now officially play VR games on one of the most popular VR headsets. We've taken a look at the best games for this age which should help if you're deciding whether to invest in a VR headset for a family that includes tweens. <div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">What is the Meta Quest 3?
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<div>It's a standalone VR headset with no cables that doesn't need to be connected to a computer. The <a href="https://amzn.to/3sNB4Dc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Meta Quest 3</a> is the latest version and has been released in time for Christmas 2023. We own this device (as well as the previous Meta Quest 2). If you've got younger kids then it makes sense to get the latest model as its likely to stay supported for longer and it is an improvement on the previous version. You can read our <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2023/10/meta-quest-3-vr-headset-hands-on-review.html">review of the Meta Quest 3</a> for more details. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Meta Quest 3 Games for Under 13s</h2><div>There are plenty of titles to choose from that have an under 13 age rating. We've chosen a few highlights across the range of game and app styles that are available on the Meta Quest 3. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/5804350719675181" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roblox</a> is available on the Meta Quest for age 10+. This is the VR version of the popular games platform where kids can play games with other kids. Roblox have really got behind VR and they've put some effort into making sure kids get a good experience. If you've got kids who love Roblox then you might not need to read any further!</li><li><a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/1654565391314903" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moss</a> was one of the early VR adventure games and it's gorgeous. There are lots of puzzles to solve set it beautiful surroundings with a cute mouse. There's also a more recent sequel, Moss 2 for more lovely mouse adventures. </li><li>The Meta Quest has some lovely apps for creating art such as <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/1978992975501648" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SculptrVR</a> which allows kids to create colourful worlds and invite others to collaborate. There are early reports of some glitches on the Quest 3 which will hopefully get addressed soon. </li><li>VR is great for exercise. <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/2448060205267927" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beat Saber</a> is a VR classic with a range of music packs to appeal to different musical tastes. (The new Rolling Stones music pack probably isn't what they're after!) Just be sensible about safety measures and sensible session length. </li><li>There are an increasing number of educational titles available for the Meta Quest including <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/5520452821357227" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Noun Town</a> where you can learn another language in an immersive environment. </li><li>Look I'm British and I have no idea what Pickleball is other than my American friends with kids have made it clear that it's a big deal. But there's <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/5276176159145627" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pickleball One</a> if you want more sport. </li><li><a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/3235570703151406" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Job Simulator</a> in its various formats is popular with this age group. Maybe we are approaching a time when traditional jobs are only found in simulators? </li><li>There are plenty of shooter games for VR but some aren't appropriate for this age group. <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/2307085352735834" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blaston</a> is one of the tamer ones with a Pegi 7 rating for 'mild violence'. Like many VR games, it's multiplayer so make sure to pay attention to who they are playing with. </li><li>An exciting new release for 2023 which should appeal to tweens is <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/652190975784371" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LEGO Bricktales</a>. It's a brick-building puzzle adventure and due for release on the Meta Quest 3 in December 2023 and is available to pre-order. It's already been popular on other platforms and has mixed reality capability for the Quest 3 (one of the features that has a major update over the Quest 2). Never mind the tweens, I want this one! <br /><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">Safety Advice for parents and pre-teens</h2><div>Along with the new age rating, Meta have released <a href="https://www.meta.com/gb/quest/parent-info/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">safety advice for parents and pre-teens</a>. There's lots of advice on setting up accounts with parental controls and physical safety when using the headset. It's not just about age, a child's size does make a difference to the fit and comfort of the headset. </div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h2>
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<div>Although the <a href="https://amzn.to/3sNB4Dc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Meta Quest 3</a> has only been available for 10-12 year olds for a short time, there are plenty of games and app available for their age range. Now that the official age range has been lowered we expected that game and app developers will pay more attention to this age group and bring more titles to the device. This isn't like the very early days of VR, there are now plenty of titles to choose from. </div><div><br /></div><div>We also think the Meta Quest is a great platform for kids to learn to create content for. A quick way in is through our <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2022/09/code-3d-vr-halloween-scene-meta-quest-a-frame.html">A-frame VR tutorial</a>. </div></div><div><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-42557808630253725482023-11-14T11:22:00.001-05:002023-11-14T11:24:17.498-05:00🗓️Coding and Tech Themed Advent Calendars for Kids and Teens<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNL0FIh7lnD2r9tGXDcb29WCr7RGcuLy5SYr57STMa1b5kM84Bo9fR_nvKW38uPdpD4RlZGUqTzl0H0yaRTsTOTASKQXDPATOEp7bCH5Dlr8_eMXtv7Y6LYiFW2ZqOWaWLu6JAphJEtS9VOOTvMKCvOsXJPObjkR9zvnx2zVEmQJEHV1QEuACwsIRZi44/s1920/Red%20White%20Cute%20Illustration%20December%202023%20Monthly%20Calendar.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="December calendar with string of lights" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNL0FIh7lnD2r9tGXDcb29WCr7RGcuLy5SYr57STMa1b5kM84Bo9fR_nvKW38uPdpD4RlZGUqTzl0H0yaRTsTOTASKQXDPATOEp7bCH5Dlr8_eMXtv7Y6LYiFW2ZqOWaWLu6JAphJEtS9VOOTvMKCvOsXJPObjkR9zvnx2zVEmQJEHV1QEuACwsIRZi44/w640-h360/Red%20White%20Cute%20Illustration%20December%202023%20Monthly%20Calendar.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It's getting close to December so we've been thinking about coding,tech and video game themed advent calendars for kids and teens. Thanks to Advent of Code we've very much got a tradition of coding in December in our house. </p><p><b>Disclosure</b>: This year we have our own entry in the list! Dr Tracy Gardner is one of the co-author's of the 24 Days of Scratch Coding advent calendar book. </p><p>Each of these advent calendars has a link to tech, coding or video games:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/3ueE1gI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zing Stikbot Advent Calendar</a> is packed with Stikbot figures and accessories that can be used to create a stop motion animation with the accompanying app. <br /><script type="text/javascript">
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<script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script><br /></li><li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/40HaXKY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eight Innovation Advent Calendar</a> will allow teens to build their own working electronics experiments each day using the electronics components that are provided. There are Retro Radio or Electronic Games versions to choose from. <br />
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<br /></li><li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/477YOBb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EXIT: The Game Advent Calendars</a> are collaborative family escape games. Not exactly coding or tech, but escape rooms are great for logical thinking skills and we love them! They are from Thames and Kosmos and get great reviews and there are multiple themed advent calendar games to choose from. <br />
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<br /></li><li>There's a <a href="https://amzn.to/469ymWn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roblox advent calendar</a> for fans of the game. <br />
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<br />Did you know that kids can code their own Roblox games using the Lua programming language? </li><li>Of course there's a <a href="https://amzn.to/47brr06" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Minecraft Advent Calendar</a>. Kids could use the collectibles to make their own stop motion animation. <br />
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<br />FYI there are lots of options for coding in Minecraft including Command Blocks inside the game itself. <br /><br /></li><li>The <a href="https://amzn.to/47rxy0J" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super Mario Advent Calendar</a> also makes in onto our list thanks to the awesome <a href="https://amzn.to/468BVfy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super Mario Maker 2</a> which allows you to design your own game levels.<br />
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<br /></li><li>There's a very cool <a href="https://amzn.to/49uSN2X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Funko Fortnite Advent Calendar</a> full of collectibles for players of the popular game and platform. <br />
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<br />If you've got a teen who loves Fortnite why not encourage them to create their own Fortnite islands including adding code to control behaviour. (You didn't think we were going to miss the opportunity to mention coding did you?)<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/49rGLaF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">24 Days of Scratch coding</a> is available as a paperback book or a Kindle digital version (handy if you've left it to the last minute!). There are also several days available as a free sample if you want to try it out. <br />
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<br /></li><li>For older teen coders we'd recommend the free <a href="https://adventofcode.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Advent of Code</a> challenge. It gets very challenging very quickly so this is one for the the experienced coders with time to spare. </li></ol><div>Whatever you choose, we hope you have a great build up to the festive season. </div><p></p>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-35681288261573423252023-11-13T03:48:00.004-05:002023-11-13T04:38:30.618-05:00🐧 24 Days of Scratch Coding - Advent Calendar Book<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X5ZMQP-okTSM6RtoemifNVfcsRUy3ren1mqvF6g9_81AB2yvTizVMq491Mb_y5Am1xngiVeWcovaOr7UqdMflonkWCLJOk3Kb9Pz6GnjoBv0aOl4fcyTZQvaLbNdBOoXwmvOfOK48gDq6Y58u7guQ18Aytxl7lmqH4ePXifyy52CHV30FLkzMCDi1fM/s3840/24-days-scratch-coding.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Advent calendar graphic with cute penguins" border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X5ZMQP-okTSM6RtoemifNVfcsRUy3ren1mqvF6g9_81AB2yvTizVMq491Mb_y5Am1xngiVeWcovaOr7UqdMflonkWCLJOk3Kb9Pz6GnjoBv0aOl4fcyTZQvaLbNdBOoXwmvOfOK48gDq6Y58u7guQ18Aytxl7lmqH4ePXifyy52CHV30FLkzMCDi1fM/w640-h360/24-days-scratch-coding.png" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p></p><p><b>Disclosure</b>: I'm one of the authors of this book along with my fab colleagues Liz and Rebecca at <a href="https://flipcomputing.com/" target="_blank">Flip Computing</a>. We had a lot of fun writing this and hope that families will enjoy coding their way through winter to Christmas and other seasonal celebrations. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">What is 24 Days of Scratch Coding?</h2><p><a href="https://amzn.to/40xQYy0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgukC1HbATGGwpC3MGmffW2X0djqCAD0CkqijMScCOKZ4AGQplvWAIvjV8BxgtugBxOAkdFin-cH-ZIB5CfAq5eqc0lNHD_BoQ23kYliXX41b0z4yBx0zeE_JOPQfP6EcmQAgDbSLd9ccsbNEJgUUztZxaps483nXl6-IqYCGZxSdTaN_UuTPVITqJx78/s2261/BookCover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2261" data-original-width="1750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgukC1HbATGGwpC3MGmffW2X0djqCAD0CkqijMScCOKZ4AGQplvWAIvjV8BxgtugBxOAkdFin-cH-ZIB5CfAq5eqc0lNHD_BoQ23kYliXX41b0z4yBx0zeE_JOPQfP6EcmQAgDbSLd9ccsbNEJgUUztZxaps483nXl6-IqYCGZxSdTaN_UuTPVITqJx78/s320/BookCover.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>24 Days of Scratch Coding is a kids coding book with 24 creative activities that combine coding and digital art. It's an alternative to chocolate advent calendars, or a companion if you want to combine coding and chocolate!<p></p><p>The book uses the popular Scratch environment. It's free and you can use it from the Scratch website or run it on your computer. Scratch works on desktop computers and tablets. Many kids will use Scratch at school and be familiar with it. 24 Days of Scratch Coding will encourage them to try new code blocks and develop their digital art skills. This isn't a formal coding tutorial book. </p><p>Each day has an activity that builds up to an interactive winter scene full of penguins. Some days focus on coding, others on using the vector paint tool in scratch to create graphics for the projects. You also add sound effects and make use of the microphone to detect sound. </p><p>There are also some bonus activities that put Scratch-related twists on classics such as a word search and spot the difference. </p><p>Completed projects are available for download. This is supposed to be fun! Children will be at different levels with their Scratch experience and motor skills. We know that time can be an issue on some days and sometimes kids just get tired. We give you permission to go to the completed project on those days and just have fun with the result. </p><p>There are also helpful tutorial videos available online for getting started with Scratch and for some of the new skills you might need to learn.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Who is 24 Days of Scratch Coding for?</h2><p>The main audience for the book is children aged 8-12. Younger children will love the result of the projects but are likely to need support from an adult or older sibling. And there's really no upper age limit. We'd recommend the book for parents who think they might be interested in learning more about coding in an accessible way. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Why did we write the book?</h2><div>My house is completely taken over by the popular <a href="https://adventofcode.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Advent of Code</a> challenge in December. Advent of Code is a set of winter-themed challenges for adult coders with a leader board. The challenges increase in difficulty until they completely take over your life. My partner completes it in several programming languages. My 17 year old has also participated for the last few years. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have a complex relationship with Advent of Code, I've given up saying I won't do it because I always get sucked in and decide to do something daft (one year I got a very long way in Scratch!). With 24 Days of Scratch Coding we wanted to provide families with the fun and modern tradition of coding as a countdown to the festive season with more creativity and less competitiveness for a younger and more diverse audience. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once we'd come up with the idea, the three of us went away and started working on different parts of it. It was clear that the idea wasn't going to let us go! So we worked to put the book together for this Christmas season. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Tips for Tablet Users</h2><div>Scratch runs on touchscreen tablets but can be a little more tricky to use for creating digital art. For vector editing tasks, a computer with a mouse can be very helpful. You can connect a remote keyboard and mouse to a tablet or use a digital pen for more accuracy. Your results don't have to look exactly like ours. It's also fine to just grab the completed graphics from the solution projects and use them. </div><div><br /></div><div>The projects don't use 'on key pressed' so you won't need a keyboard to interact with the projects. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NN_SQbqacmQv9zzPbw6v32-SLjznBPKbhzE03AI_ij2WndnUJop2kgmllD0lDvAC7tStRQ70iTbK5hhpEmPepBZCw7EvmoSBlGqLllNt5ZwnI01BRksWdNm_Wa7smVNRDT6Os_-icWr6bJ80Bg7bIITSNVa8hwbxB0ZUr4mwYwQ8UJPBdVoZ6QU-eK0/s2261/BookCover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2261" data-original-width="1750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NN_SQbqacmQv9zzPbw6v32-SLjznBPKbhzE03AI_ij2WndnUJop2kgmllD0lDvAC7tStRQ70iTbK5hhpEmPepBZCw7EvmoSBlGqLllNt5ZwnI01BRksWdNm_Wa7smVNRDT6Os_-icWr6bJ80Bg7bIITSNVa8hwbxB0ZUr4mwYwQ8UJPBdVoZ6QU-eK0/w155-h200/BookCover.jpg" width="155" /></a></div><div>24 Days of Scratch coding is a physical book that you can use as an advent calendar. There are pages that look like doors so you get the excitement of revealing each day's activity. </div><div><br /></div>We hope you'll enjoy sharing the <a href="https://amzn.to/40xQYy0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">24 Days of Scratch Coding</a> advent calendar book with your family during the lead up to the festive season. We really don't mind if you do multiple days at once or skip the days when you don't have time. Just have fun with it and enjoy the cute penguins. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-77610096868258901372023-11-12T04:04:00.007-05:002023-11-18T07:01:09.030-05:00🤖 Coding Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers (Age 2, 3, 4) - 2023/4 Expert Picks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MsYTETuzuGrVgJWR4b3QBAAs-33Rm4MAFpynh22zcD5GwlAlQlIxDDSYlW9BYAHc6oPI3Xtpj3bEujvK5akOvyJWf1VP0pS6MkyUvZhKDTCVXHHgtyybimXESwBw-xNbJSbfr7eBx2JENa7UdiqCkw4ehm3_rzz-1rCMYaqIMv_lcnm5Wn1nfuq0zms/s1280/coding-toys-age-2-3-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Code and Go Mouse with young child" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MsYTETuzuGrVgJWR4b3QBAAs-33Rm4MAFpynh22zcD5GwlAlQlIxDDSYlW9BYAHc6oPI3Xtpj3bEujvK5akOvyJWf1VP0pS6MkyUvZhKDTCVXHHgtyybimXESwBw-xNbJSbfr7eBx2JENa7UdiqCkw4ehm3_rzz-1rCMYaqIMv_lcnm5Wn1nfuq0zms/w640-h360/coding-toys-age-2-3-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>At Tech Age Kids we've been testing and writing about kids coding toys for over 10 years. This post is our round up of the current options for toddlers and preschoolers for Christmas 2023 (and into 2024). Most of the options are 'floor robots', programmable toys that you give directional commands to so they can move around in the real world. We've also included programmable toy trains and a coding board game for this age group. In this post we'll focus on options for age 2 (LEGO Duplo Coding Express), 3 and 4 year olds (check the age rating for individual products). Many will still be suitable for 5 years but we'll cover. <div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Brief Round Up</h2><div>There's info below on the research into kids coding toys. But if you're in a hurry, here's a quick round up of the highlights for 2023. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Things to consider</b>: Batteries vs Charger. Screen vs Screenless (or both). Will the character appeal to your child? Does it come with activities and accessories to retain interest? Home school education resources available? Does it work with the other toys your child enjoys (LEGO or wooden train tracks). Are there other coding toys in the brand - great for progression and matched gifts for older siblings. What budget do you have available? Are there likely to be more kids in your family that would enjoy the toy?</div><div><br /></div><div>These are all great products with excellent reviews. The important thing is to choose an option that works for your budget and will appeal to the child you are buying for.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Budget value, choice of designs</b>: Learning Resources <a href="https://amzn.to/47pgDLG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Code and Go Robot Mouse</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3ubkvBC">Coding Critters</a>. It's worth checking out the whole range as the accessories vary between characters and the <a href="https://amzn.to/49t2SNL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unicorn</a> has a remote control for programming. <br /><br /></li><li><b>Quirky snail</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3u93Dvt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robobloq Qobo</a> Coding Robot. We like the different design of the Qobo snail. It's something a bit different. It's also suitable for toddlers with a starting age of 3. Qobo is programmed with physical cards that the snail, um, slides over. No screen needed. It's chunky, has lights and sounds and gets great reviews.<br /><br /></li><li><b>Comes with lots of resources</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/40vZcH3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sphero Indi at Home</a> Sphere is a very well-established brand for kids coding toys with it's spherical Sphero programmable robots. Sphero Indi at home is a new addition to the range and lowers the starting age to 4. Instead of a ball, Indi is a blue vehicle. Sphero Indi comes in a kit with loads of accessories and has been designed for home use. You can use Indi with or without an app which makes it versatile.<br /><br /></li><li><b>Storytelling focus</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/40vZcH3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matalab Talebot Pro</a> is a chunky floor robot for toddlers and preschoolers aged 3-5. It comes with mats with squares that the Talebot can recognise to activate actions including storytelling. The robot can be programmed using physical buttons. There are also accessories for drawing and adding LEGO Duplo blocks. <br /><br /></li><li><b>Cute and Clever</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3QU2Mrn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Makeblock mTiny</a> is a seriously cute programmable panda for kids aged 3-5. It can be programmed from a remote control and is screen free. We really like the buildable map tiles that allow lots of different configurations and the physical coding cards that can be scanned with the remote control. A lot of thought has gone into the design of this robot and Makeblock have a whole range of robots for older kids too. <br /><br /></li><li><b>Sturdy design, classroom credentials</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3Qy4s8y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blue-Bot</a> is the Bluetooth-enabled version of the popular Bee-Bot from TTS in the UK. This is a tried and tested design with lots of accessories and lesson plans available. The Blue-Bot has the added feature of being programmable from an app. The manufacturer recommends it from age 5 but it's feature set is comparable with floor robots aimed at a younger audience. <br /><br /></li><li><b>Works with wooden train tracks</b>: The <a href="https://amzn.to/3FW5UMW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robobloq Coding Train Set</a> works with standard wooden train tracks and can be programmed by sticking coloured stickers on to the track. It's a bit more limited than other options but for kids who love their train tracks this might well be the one! It's recommended for kids aged 3-7/ <br /><br /></li><li><b>It's LEGO! and age 2+:</b> The <a href="https://amzn.to/3FWtUQ0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LEGO Education DUPLO Coding Express</a> is aimed at the education market but available to buy for home use too. It's a more expensive option but from a well-loved brand and with lessons and an app available. A great choice for younger kids who love LEGO Duplo where you know they'll get the value from it. <br /><br /></li><li><b>Montessori aesthetic</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3SBo2n2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cubetto</a> is a wooden floor robot that doesn't need an app. It is programmed using a board with wooden shapes. This is a premium product that has been well designed. A lot of the academic research on coding toys for this age group is carried out with the Cubetto robot. Cubetto is for kids aged 3+.<br /><br /></li><li><b>Board game</b>: There's also the option of the <a href="https://amzn.to/3GeqkBf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robot Turtles</a> board game for kids age 4+. We used this at our Coder Dojo and it was a hit with a mixed age range. A great option to have in your family board game rotation. </li></ul></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">What does the research say?</h2><div>This isn't a formal literature review, though I do have previous for a <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3501385.3543960" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">kids coding literature review</a>! Floor robots, or turtles, for kids have been around a long time. Recent floor robots and coding toys for preschoolers have also been the subject of academic research. Most research focuses on slightly older children but there is some research on toddlers and preschoolers in the 2-4 age group.</div><div><br /></div><div>Research studies include:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The wonderful Radia Perlman was one of the first to explore 'tangible computing' with very young children. Her <a href="https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/6224" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TORTIS research paper from 1974</a> is wonderful and demonstrates that very young children can develop computing skills while having fun. </li><li>In one study, <a href="https://publicatt.unicatt.it/handle/10807/200867" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">using Cubetto</a> made 4 year olds better at programming Cubetto but didn't have a significant effect on their general cognitive skills. </li><li><a href="https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/rem-2023-0003" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Research on the impact of coding in the learning of 4-year-olds</a> is a very in-depth study which compares a child following instructions, following instructions given by a screen and programming the Cubetto robot. It's a very detailed paper, that is generally positive about the educational benefits of floor robots but suggests that the increased engagement of the floor robot can mean that children are less willing to takes turns and collaborate with each other. </li><li>Further research with Cubetto again, found that <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3230977.3230984" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">children as young as three were able to successfully program</a> the robot with some scaffolding, in particular to help with their lack of ability to use left and right directional language (I'm with the three year olds on that one!)</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Coding research often tries to demonstrate that learning to code will improve other skills. We think coding itself, and the fun you have while doing it, is what's important. A quick review of the research suggests that young children can learn basic coding skills and enjoy doing it, but they won't necessarily learn other skills, coding toys are really engaging and immersive but young children are not brilliant at sharing their coding toys with other children!</div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Summary </h2><div>Basically, don't buy a coding toy for a toddler or preschooler because you think it will turn them into a genius. Or even because it will put them on the path to a tech career. Do it because coding toys are a fun way for families to get down on the floor and interact. Do it because it's cool to program a robot to deliver an object to another person. Do it because it creates that 'flow state' where kids are utterly absorbed and engaged by an activity. </div><div><br /></div><div>Definitely consider how a coding toy fits with your budget, family life and your child's interest/obsessions! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a reminder of our top picks for 2023/24:</div><div><ul><li><b>Budget value, choice of designs</b>: Learning Resources <a href="https://amzn.to/47pgDLG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Code and Go Robot Mouse</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3ubkvBC">Coding Critters</a>. It's worth checking out the whole range as the accessories vary between characters and the <a href="https://amzn.to/49t2SNL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unicorn</a> has a remote control for programming. </li><li><b>Quirky snail</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3u93Dvt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robobloq Qobo</a> Coding Robot </li><li><b>Comes with lots of resources</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/40vZcH3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sphero Indi at Home</a></li><li><b>Storytelling focus</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/40vZcH3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matalab Talebot Pro</a></li><li><b>Cute and Clever</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3QU2Mrn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Makeblock mTiny</a></li><li><b>Sturdy design, classroom credentials</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3Qy4s8y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blue-Bot</a></li><li><b>Works with wooden train tracks</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3FW5UMW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robobloq Coding Train Set</a></li><li><b>It's LEGO! and age 2+:</b> <a href="https://amzn.to/3FWtUQ0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LEGO Education DUPLO Coding Express</a></li><li><b>Montessori aesthetic</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3SBo2n2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cubetto</a></li><li><b>Board game</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3GeqkBf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robot Turtles</a></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-38380503142441962023-10-31T16:22:00.004-04:002023-10-31T16:22:49.571-04:00NASA Perseverance AI-powered Mars Rover kit on Kickstarter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ssz21y7-QAYj15aVyzDBezjOP6N-_q_Lr7cqTagPVBO9WfIvNmAo5jmlb92Vil5HWeC4LTZIGbPd3N8l75Pf76kgadqifQiIUy02g0On4wmErCnxIPsydbI-LrqEKwbI3NyOUyVSezSFZVUMNbtCPocgvQtBcM5jrmet-xUQwwL5UPOWnAHUVwSlsuM/s3000/Rover%20&%20Controller%20image%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Image of Mars rover made from electronic boards with remote control" border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ssz21y7-QAYj15aVyzDBezjOP6N-_q_Lr7cqTagPVBO9WfIvNmAo5jmlb92Vil5HWeC4LTZIGbPd3N8l75Pf76kgadqifQiIUy02g0On4wmErCnxIPsydbI-LrqEKwbI3NyOUyVSezSFZVUMNbtCPocgvQtBcM5jrmet-xUQwwL5UPOWnAHUVwSlsuM/w640-h426/Rover%20&%20Controller%20image%201.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><p></p><p>Geek Club and CircuitMess have launched a new <a href="http://kck.st/462eKne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NASA Perseverance AI-powered Mars Rover kit</a> on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform and it's already proving popular. </p><p>CircuitMess are a team from Croatia who already have a number of successful electronics and coding kits. This space-themed range is their most ambitious yet. Geek Club is a US company that makes popular hands-on electronics kits which involve soldering. </p><p>This looks like a great family project to get the next generation excited about space. The creators' enthusiasm for sharing their love of space engineering shines through in this Kickstarter. </p>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geeekclub/nasa-perseverance-mars-rover/widget/video.html" width="800"> </iframe> <div>The headline kit is a Perseverence Rover kit to solder, build and code. There's an Ultimate version with even more hardware and features. These kits have clearly been lovingly put together by space geeks with serious attention to detail. </div><div><br /></div><div>The kit is designed for kids 11+ through to adults and there are coding options from block-based through Python (popular beginner programming language used in industry) and to C++ (used for many hardware-based industry projects). </div><div><br /></div><div>There are some neat additional rewards if the project hits higher stretch goals.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are also several smaller kits available as rewards if you want to support the project at a lower level. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you know an aspiring space engineer, or just love learning more about space engineering, check out the <a href="http://kck.st/462eKne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NASA Perseverance AI-powered Mars Rover kit</a> project on Kickstarter. The project aims to ship in summer 2024. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can also checkout existing <a href="https://amzn.to/46SU6ag" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Geek Club kits</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/47dzIQN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CircuitMess kits</a> if you want an electronics kit in time for Christmas.</div><div><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-59543413942448289232023-10-30T14:44:00.003-04:002023-11-12T02:36:49.474-05:00📱 Amazon Kids Kindle, Fire, Paperwhite and Alexa Devices for 2023 and 2024
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1CP4m0-uyJowfIJx7TbRQ4PP-rPOQXabPH_61M-f_KDP9oV1pZpog8GPiPLqpiZE4bU295RsAchBi7AgNgWaOeKv4EmnarSwyp30Urm8va21x2xPHxaNG0SDQIbNKWqI9iZIEXc5X-fUIT0NcqoUGgFTnZuorJg6UxCsi6vrMCg7c4UUnyr6FFJasko/s1920/New%20Amazon%20Kindle%20,%20Fire%20and%20Alexa%20Devices%20for%20202324.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Illustrations of electronic devices." border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1CP4m0-uyJowfIJx7TbRQ4PP-rPOQXabPH_61M-f_KDP9oV1pZpog8GPiPLqpiZE4bU295RsAchBi7AgNgWaOeKv4EmnarSwyp30Urm8va21x2xPHxaNG0SDQIbNKWqI9iZIEXc5X-fUIT0NcqoUGgFTnZuorJg6UxCsi6vrMCg7c4UUnyr6FFJasko/w640-h360/New%20Amazon%20Kindle%20,%20Fire%20and%20Alexa%20Devices%20for%20202324.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As usual Amazon have updated some of their range of devices for kids in 2023, in plenty of time for Christmas. There are new devices in the Fire tablet range and the Alexa assistant range. The kids Kindle eReader was updated last year and the Paperwhite the year before so those ranges don't get an update this year. In this post we'll highlight the new devices and the most recent versions of each device so you can find the lastest versions of the devices. There are lots of devices and it can be tricky to work out which device makes the most sense for your child or family. New Amazon devices usually get launched towards the end of the year so these are likely to remain the latest devices throughout most of 2024. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Amazon Fire Kids Tablets</h3><div>In 2023 the major family update is to the 10" Amazon Fire tablets for children. There are two versions designed for different ages. The hardware and the price are the same for both versions. </div><div><br /></div><div>The new Fire 10" tablets include the following features:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Faster hardware </li><li>Full HD display and upgraded camera</li><li>Longer battery life (up to 13 hours claimed)</li><li>Thinner profile and lighter weight</li><li>Durable design including a strengthened screen</li><li>Parental controls and profiles for up to 4 children per device</li><li>One year subscription to Amazon Kids+</li></ul></div><div>Basically, the underlying device is a well-designed tablet with lots of kid-friendly design features and access to loads of educational and entertainment content with parental controls. You get a lot for your money. Amazon sell a lot of these devices and can afford to invest in regular updates.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The <a href="https://amzn.to/49IFwEa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Fire HD 10" Kids</a> (for age 3-7) comes with a rugged little-kid friendly case that can cope with being lugged around by an enthusiastic preschooler. It also has a built in stand so it can be popped down on a convenient table when they want to sit and watch something. </span></h4><div>The <a href="https://amzn.to/47tFoWZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Fire HD 10" Kids Pro</a> (for age 6-12) comes with a more grown-up case which still has a built in stand. Both devices come in a choice of colours. </div><div><br /></div>
Note that the ages overlap so if you've got a child at the upper end of the age range for the younger device they will be fine with the Pro version.<div><br /></div><div>The smaller 7", 8" and 8" Pro Amazon Fire devices are still available at a lower price and specification. They just haven't received an update in 2023.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Amazon Kids Kindle and Paperwhite eReaders</h3><div>The <a href="https://amzn.to/40ASYpp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kids Kindle eReader</a> was updated last year at the same time as the adult model and the larger <a href="https://amzn.to/3SDttBQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kids Paperwhite</a> the year before. <br /><br /></div>We covered the <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2022/09/kindle-and-paperwhite-ereaders-for-kids.html">Amazon Kindle Kids and Paperwhite eReaders</a> in more detail last year when the new Kindle device was released.
The new regular sized Kindle for kids got a pretty major update last year and is great for younger kids who are are capable readers. The larger Paperwhite is a good option for reading textbooks and it's also waterproof which might be an important factor for some families.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Alexa Devices: Amazon Echo Pop and Echo Show 5 for Kids</h3></div>
Amazon have released the new Echo Pop device for 2023 and it comes in kids versions with Marvel or Disney princess styling. <div><br /></div><div> The <a href="https://amzn.to/3FTXBRJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Echo Pop for Kids</a> comes with a 6 month subscription to Amazon Kids+ which has a huge library of content for kids age 3-12. This gives you chance to trial the services and see if your child makes use of it, if so you can continue with a paid subscription. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Echo Pop for Kids also has parental controls for filtering content and setting limits on listening time.<div><br /></div><div>My younger son spent hours and hours listening to audio books on an Echo device when he was in this age range. As a parent I love audio books. Kids can do something else at the same time such as drawing, playing with LEGO or tidying their room (okay, wishful thinking on that last one!) </div><div><br /></div><div>There's a bundle with the <a href="https://amzn.to/3QUiWAN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Echo Pop for Kids and the Echo Glow</a> which acts as a smart nightlight, mood light, or routine reminder.</div><div> <br clear="both" />There's also an updated version of the <a href="https://amzn.to/46am9k7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Echo Show for Kids</a> for 2023. The Echo Show 5 is an Alexa device with a screen. The 2023 edition has had a general hardware update. One of the important upgrades for families is an improved screen which offers more comfortable viewing at nighttime. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Echo Show for kids can be used for asking questions for homework, watching videos and making video calls. The device has parental controls so parents can decide which numbers can be called and set limits on usage. Kids+ is bundled with the device for the first year.</div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h2><div>The new Amazon devices for kids for 2023 are:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Tablets: Fire 10" and Fire 10" Pro </li><li>Alexa devices: Echo Pop and Echo Show</li></ul><div><br /></div></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-34942629168984985602023-10-28T05:03:00.002-04:002023-11-01T04:00:15.059-04:00🐙OctoStudio - Mobile App from the Creators of Scratch!<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb8X5anMFX4r7FK825Jl0Nri7ZQtSlPZldhFFEDvA3BTrXLLWeHVdKdJxC5Ugf-k8g6jIrAGz1gPs6BuWqZBLKg_IjEmCN4yy9lylej5HSSCf9ZE0AxHFU8_bDtkQdm4uSEiNFBvAnfN8s1TZ1v1tuPQ9PNY8z1mYt-nbfDuyFcovjA-OI8zvmVlQWCI/s1920/product-4-octostudio.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Octostudio on a mobile phone outdoors with a child's hand dragging blocks" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb8X5anMFX4r7FK825Jl0Nri7ZQtSlPZldhFFEDvA3BTrXLLWeHVdKdJxC5Ugf-k8g6jIrAGz1gPs6BuWqZBLKg_IjEmCN4yy9lylej5HSSCf9ZE0AxHFU8_bDtkQdm4uSEiNFBvAnfN8s1TZ1v1tuPQ9PNY8z1mYt-nbfDuyFcovjA-OI8zvmVlQWCI/w640-h360/product-4-octostudio.png" width="640" /></a></div>Image credit: MIT Media Lab<br /><p></p><p>OctoStudio is a new mobile app created by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab - the folks who created the popular Scratch coding app. OctoStudio is a coding app designed for the smaller screens of mobile devices including mobile phones and it makes use of the sensors on a phone too. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">OctoStudio Overview</h2><p>The OctoStudio trailer video shows the kinds of applications that you can create. The hope is clearly that the app will be integrated into everyday life and used in social situations. </p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7olsvxyhlPM?si=GS-wB59dnNwrf6ZF" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">OctoStudio - Age range</h2><p>The creators say that OctoStudio works well for children aged 7-12 though they also recommend using it as a family which is great way to include younger children. </p><p>The starting age for OctoStudio is recommended at 7 so older than ScratchJr (5-7) and younger than Scratch (8+). OctoStudio is very pictorial, it uses vertical stacking blocks like Scratch but there's a lot more use of visual cues which will help kids who aren't yet confident readers. Some of the things you can make with OctoStudio actually seem pretty tween and teen friendly (yeah grown ups too!) so it will be very interesting to see who the app ends up being popular with. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">OctoStudio - First impressions</h2><p>The app is available for Android and iOS devices. We've tried it on both. It's free and quick to download and install. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Accessibility and Inclusion</h3><div>OctoStudio has support for more than twenty languages right from the start and it also uses lots of pictorial communication.</div><p>OctoStudio integrates with mobile screen readers and there's useful option to turn on sound effects for visual blocks. The blocks use a palette of high contrast pastel colors with black text. </p><p>The emoji characters are available in a choice of skin colors with default being brown skin. Thought has clearly gone into this. The use of emoji means that the choice of foods is much more international than the American fare found in Scratch. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">OctoStudio - What can you do?</h2><p>When you create a new project you are guided to:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>🪴Choose a sprite (characters or object) in OctoStudio these are emojis (age appropriate ones!)</li><li>🖼️Choose a backdrop - there's a small selection</li><li>🧱Add code</li></ul><div>This works really well to get you started quickly. </div><div><br /></div><div>A 'when green flag' is added for you, but you can quickly select a 'when I shake' block to do something when you shake the phone or tablet.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGVlvXZYWHN0zZCqnILiN36823IG-KGN485lfQztVu0WP8yUDDfG6IgxFVHjtRJqSNO8NsMhOKz9WnFqhzySxzZ3tx3WUMhpBAL7E84ME4F067ooBnxWqQmLJUqQCUuodyrV9i50fIQKLxdb4VW8tbFS_RLM7KErgAOfap4m9Ql4obXS0TKZzw5XmT_A/s2280/Screenshot_20231027_110607_OctoStudio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OctoStudio screenshot with room and plant and 'woah' text." border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2280" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGVlvXZYWHN0zZCqnILiN36823IG-KGN485lfQztVu0WP8yUDDfG6IgxFVHjtRJqSNO8NsMhOKz9WnFqhzySxzZ3tx3WUMhpBAL7E84ME4F067ooBnxWqQmLJUqQCUuodyrV9i50fIQKLxdb4VW8tbFS_RLM7KErgAOfap4m9Ql4obXS0TKZzw5XmT_A/w640-h304/Screenshot_20231027_110607_OctoStudio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>There are some included examples that help beginners to see what's possible with the app. </p><p>The app is well suited for taking out and about on a mobile phone. Younger kids in the age range are more likely to have a tablet which is a bit less portable so expect them to want to borrow your phone! Older kids might have their own phone and the app doesn't require the latest phone so it's a great use for a hand me down device. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">OctoStudio - Basic features</h2><p>OctoStudio works really well on a touch screen device, it's really fast to drag and drop and move code around. You can pinch and zoom to quickly navigate around your code. </p><p>You can change the color and size of sprites, make them jump, record and play sounds, add text and lots of other features that we've come to expect from block-based coding apps. There's a sound editor and you can draw your own sprites in the paint tool. OctoStudio also adds micro-bit style physical computing interactions using the inputs and outputs that are already there on the phone. </p><p>Some features are simplified compared with Scratch so you can create some kinds of behavior more quickly. There are some fairly advanced features including variables and creating your own blocks. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Inputs and Outputs</h2><div>OctoStudio gives your projects access to lots of inputs and outputs on your device. You can easily record and edit sounds and take photos to use as backdrops or sprites, a nice feature is shaped cropping which is a nice modern touch.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can detect a shake or make the phone vibrate (buzz) and turn the phone flashlight on and off. There's a 'tilt to move' block which helpfully come with a forever block wrapped around it (to avoid a common mistake in Scratch!) Tilt to move is very satisfying! There's a block to detect a nearby magnet (if your device has a magnetometer). </div><div><br /></div><div>A neat feature is sending messages using Bluetooth to nearby devices that are also running OctoStudio, There are five different colored shape messages that you can send. This makes OctoStudio a really social experience. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Sharing projects</h2><p>You can share projects as an mp4 video, a gif (without sound) or as a project file that someone else with OctoStudio can open on their device. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h2><p>As you'd expect from the Lifelong Kindergarten group, OctoStudio is well-designed and works well. We can definitely see this being popular with families and with groups of friends. It also has the all the features you'd need to teach a creative computing curriculum including physical computing, at home or in a school classroom. </p><p>Some of the features are straight-up improvements on features that are already in Scratch, I think there's going to be some frustration from kids who use both tools and want to mix the features. Maybe we'll see some of the features of OctoStudio make their way into Scratch in future.</p><div>Ready to download OctoStudio or want more info? There's a website at <a href="http://octostudio.org">octostudio.org</a> where your can download the app and an <a href="https://octostudio.org/resources/Reference%20Guide.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OctoStudio reference guide</a> if you're the kind of family that likes to read the documentation!</div><p></p>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-65954574768735748652023-10-27T05:16:00.012-04:002023-11-12T02:38:53.835-05:00🤖 Loti Bot Educational Robot for Kids Age 7+<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A8_L1veSfDGhH479TNdLZAqu_ce7K1arZNvkpTIvHZON8xQZvLnTsqK1WmFCXYK5-6EHtX_GayTbd488QeOFrVu1XygtThCLWWCivnF0rJUSrRPZeTAhQ6uGP2tegDlAmwzQwd8awXWbitArsYOFsSJ3lb08saCUSWXDM9_XZz_R4JIZyntPdWem7so/s2078/loti-bot-app-level2.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="TTS Loti bot app with blocks to turn on the side LED lights and draw a square." border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="2078" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A8_L1veSfDGhH479TNdLZAqu_ce7K1arZNvkpTIvHZON8xQZvLnTsqK1WmFCXYK5-6EHtX_GayTbd488QeOFrVu1XygtThCLWWCivnF0rJUSrRPZeTAhQ6uGP2tegDlAmwzQwd8awXWbitArsYOFsSJ3lb08saCUSWXDM9_XZz_R4JIZyntPdWem7so/w640-h262/loti-bot-app-level2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
The well-respected UK education brand TTS has released Loti Bot, a new floor robot for kids aged 7+ which is available internationally. Loti is controlled from a block-based app (with progression between two different levels), for it can create accurate drawings on paper and it's packed with sensors. Loti is is the next step after the enormously popular TTS Bee-bot for younger children. I've used many TTS products in the classroom, let's take a look at what Loti bot can offer at home or school.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Loti is for age 7+</h2><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3FVXhSx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Loti=Bot</a> is designed for children aged 7+, Key Stage 2 or KS2 in the UK or grades 2-5 in the US. Loti progresses from the features of the Bee-bot which is designed for younger children and users of the Blue-bot app will be at home with Level 1 of the Loti Bot app. TTS have done a great job of creating a floor robot that visually appeals to a wide age range. It doesn't look too grown up for little ones and even tweens and teens will Loti appealing. </div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Programmable from an app</h2><div>The Loti app is available for Android and iOS (Apple) devices and designed to be used with tablets.</div><div><br /></div><div>The app for Loti Bot has been really well thought out (we've reviewed a lot of apps like this!). There are two levels for different experience levels. The app builds on Blockly and Scratch blocks which means it will be very familiar to children and TTS are benefit of the huge amount of effort and experience that has gone into these kid-friendly coding technologies. </div><div><br /></div><div>Level 1 uses Scratch Jr style chunky horizontal blocks with pictures:<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul4A0DA37krqTMJC7zJq02a8QDFORtJAdGBJgT2LpNlQXucnr5KcbnuzTodHbQfdIRSYWxSqqQQ6SWGmP7BXJxefrgpMTQEYHOHsV_FRqscerv0VpNcbzMuIgbW2Qja6QTCAdB0IHSriVPygfwg_cXdiEBkBteK3QAybqyTawrCxjl9CHxS4e9dC6UnA/s2094/loti-bot-app-level1.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="TTS Loti bot App Level 1 screenshot with blocks to move and turn the light on." border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="2094" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul4A0DA37krqTMJC7zJq02a8QDFORtJAdGBJgT2LpNlQXucnr5KcbnuzTodHbQfdIRSYWxSqqQQ6SWGmP7BXJxefrgpMTQEYHOHsV_FRqscerv0VpNcbzMuIgbW2Qja6QTCAdB0IHSriVPygfwg_cXdiEBkBteK3QAybqyTawrCxjl9CHxS4e9dC6UnA/w640-h280/loti-bot-app-level1.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Level 2 uses Scratch style blocks with familiar categories and blocks where appropriate:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A8_L1veSfDGhH479TNdLZAqu_ce7K1arZNvkpTIvHZON8xQZvLnTsqK1WmFCXYK5-6EHtX_GayTbd488QeOFrVu1XygtThCLWWCivnF0rJUSrRPZeTAhQ6uGP2tegDlAmwzQwd8awXWbitArsYOFsSJ3lb08saCUSWXDM9_XZz_R4JIZyntPdWem7so/s2078/loti-bot-app-level2.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="TTS Loti bot app with blocks to turn on the side LED lights and draw a square." border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="2078" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A8_L1veSfDGhH479TNdLZAqu_ce7K1arZNvkpTIvHZON8xQZvLnTsqK1WmFCXYK5-6EHtX_GayTbd488QeOFrVu1XygtThCLWWCivnF0rJUSrRPZeTAhQ6uGP2tegDlAmwzQwd8awXWbitArsYOFsSJ3lb08saCUSWXDM9_XZz_R4JIZyntPdWem7so/w640-h262/loti-bot-app-level2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>You can create and test code in the app without connecting to a Loti Bot which is really useful for practicing and predicting, and helpful when children need to share an actual Loti Bot. </div><div><br /></div><div>When you run your code in the app, Loti leaves a trail so you can see where the bot has been and you can see the light turning on and sounds being played. This is a brilliant feature. </div><div><br /></div><div>The blocks also light up as they run which strengthens the link between the code blocks and the actions Loti performs. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can even load and save programs which means that children can work on longer projects over multiple sessions. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Accurate drawing</h2><div style="float: right; margin-left: 25px;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=flip-tak-23-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0CHJ525S6" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><div>I spent a lot of time in the classroom using Loti's predecessor, the TTS Probot. While I loved the Probot, it's drawing capability wasn't very accurate and I don't want to remember how much time I spent removing stuck pens from the device! Luckily technology has moved on and TTS have put their previous experience into coming up with a drawing robot that meets the needs of the math and computing curriculums. </div><div><br /></div><div>The really important feature for drawing is that Loti is accurate so the robot can be used for the math as well as for coding. This helps to justify the cost of purchase. Loti can also be programmed using real units of measurement. This addresses a real source of confusion with some floor robots that just move an unspecified amount, it also provides a meaningful context for learning these concepts. Children will work so hard to get a floor robot to draw their name!</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Outputs - Motors and Light</h2><div>The motors that Loti uses to move forward and backwards and to turn left and right are the main outputs. Adding a pen allows you to create a physical output on paper. </div><div><br /></div><div>Loti also has 'headlights' at the front which can be turned on and off and the brightness can be controlled. Children will love the coloured LED sidelights which can be individually programmed by specifying the amount of red, green and blue.</div><div><br /></div><div>Loti also has a speaker with a choice of preset sounds. </div><div><br /></div><div>These outputs give you lots of options for including Loti in other lessons such as art (drawing and colour), math (drawing and measurement), geography (movement and history), English (movement, lights and sounds for storytelling). And we're sure children will come up with lots more ideas. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Sensors - Inputs</h2><div>Loti is packed with sensors. I loved the bumper sensor on the Probot but there are a limit to what you could do with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Loti does have a handy bumper sensor, but there's also sensor to stop the robot falling off a table (TTS understand kids and classrooms!), proximity (distance), compass heading, light level, sound level, temperature and battery level. You can also also find out if Loti is moving, the speaker is playing or the headlight it on. This gives you so many options. </div><div><br /></div><div>There's plenty here to cover physical computing topics in detail. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Charging</h2><div>Loti has a rechargeable battery and comes with a USB cable for charging. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h2><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3FVXhSx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Loti-Bot</a> is a really well thought-out programmable robot for children aged 7-11. It offers a lot of value to school or home school classrooms across a range of curriculum subjects, not just computing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Loti is also worth considering as a sturdy educational toy for kids to encourage children's interest in coding. The app will be familiar to children from similar coding tools they have used at school. There's plenty here to interest children of different aged in a family. </div><div><br /></div><div>The name and overall design of Loti mean that it's more likely that children will give the robot she/her pronouns. 7-11 is a crucial age for developing childrens identities as coders and 'computer people'. This is a refreshing change from floor robots that appeal more to boys. This is really important as girls are significantly under-represented in technical subjects as they progress through education. </div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-13161970120151941582023-10-11T10:56:00.010-04:002023-11-17T09:21:41.811-05:00🥽 Meta Quest 3 VR Headset - Hands On Review for Familes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIHnRinXdsbU-hrgoHuxy7pY2UBwDQFsFKFQ-xniDtEFR3HrI9IPzuiQ4DmCz9g0u4qOAQk-4sa2oRsnbSPnz9GRQiAUX0KfIRNkXg3gfpVgKzRQ5glXOe_2BaXYlZUQ_alXN82PsaQPvNLcETAy9vOa7Y8oziTSi-ZM0UwuFCsdKvQSpVdmpsPahcKs/s1024/meta-quest-3-vr-headset-review%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Meta Quest 3 VR Headset Review 2023" border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1024" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIHnRinXdsbU-hrgoHuxy7pY2UBwDQFsFKFQ-xniDtEFR3HrI9IPzuiQ4DmCz9g0u4qOAQk-4sa2oRsnbSPnz9GRQiAUX0KfIRNkXg3gfpVgKzRQ5glXOe_2BaXYlZUQ_alXN82PsaQPvNLcETAy9vOa7Y8oziTSi-ZM0UwuFCsdKvQSpVdmpsPahcKs/w640-h478/meta-quest-3-vr-headset-review%20(1).jpg" title="Meta Quest 3 VR Headset" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>At Tech Age Kids we love VR technology and we're excited to get our hands on the new Meta Quest 3 and review the device. In this article we'll look at the age rating, the new features and the range of apps that are now available for the device as well as the bonus free game offer for early adopters.<span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;">For those new to the range, the Meta Quest is a VR headset from Meta (formerly Facebook) and it was previously called the Oculus Quest. The Quest 3 is compatible with the existing library of games and other experiences which is pretty extensive now. You'll need an obstacle-free playing space of around 2m x 2m.</span>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Meta Quest 3 Age Rating</h3><div>Meta have recently announced that <a href="https://www.meta.com/quest/parent-info/" target="_blank">preteens age 10-12 can use the Meta Quest 3</a>. If you are the parent or guardian of a 10, 11 or 12 year old then you can <a href="https://www.meta.com/quest/parent-info/" target="_blank">set up a parent-managed account</a> for your child. This is a new feature being rolled out from September 2023. Meta have some <a href="https://www.meta.com/quest/parent-info/" target="_blank">additional safety guidelines</a> for younger users including making sure that the headset is a good fit and limiting usage to two hours per day (parents can set a lower limit). </div><div><br /></div><div>Teens aged 13+ can set up and manage their own accounts for the Meta Quest 3. Content for the Quest comes with an age rating. There are many options for teens, but be aware that some content has higher age ratings. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Meta Quest 3 New Features</h3>
<a href="https://amzn.to/49AHkiv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Meta Quest 3</a> is a fairly major update on the previous Meta Quest 2. Key improvements include:<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Meta Quest 3 has a much <b>slimmer profile</b> than the previous version. This makes it more practical for younger users. Note that it weighs about the same, but the weight is distributed closer to the head which makes it more comfortable and puts less strain on your neck. </li><li>The Quest 3 has a much higher resolution screen and field of vision. There's still room for improvement here but it's pretty impressive relative to the cost of the headset.</li><li>The Meta Quest 3 has better support for XR - extended reality. Colour cameras on the device allow you to 'see' your physical surroundings with digital content overlaid. This opens up new opportunities for augmented reality and mixed reality experiences. </li><li>Smaller form factor and Improved haptics in the handheld controllers which offers more realistic physical feedback. </li><li>Improved sound for a more immersive experience. </li></ul></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Meta Quest 3 Price</h3><div>Why is the Meta Quest 3 more expensive? Well as we've seen, the hardware is higher quality. It is a pretty major upgrade in specification. It's still a lot cheaper that the Meta Quest Pro which is aimed at businesses. Basically, you're getting a decent amount of tech for your money even without the bundled game. </div><div><br /></div><div><h3>Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest 3</h3></div><div>If you're getting a VR headset for your family for the first time and it won't break the bank then I'd recommend choosing the Meta Quest 3 - it's a much better experience and will last longer before you need to upgrade. If you're on a tight budget then the Meta Quest 2 is still a valid option. There are so many games and experiences available for the device and so many of the headsets out there that it's likely to be supported for enough time for you to get value from it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Meta Quest 3 offers a superior experience and the promise of a shift in the kinds of experiences that are possible with it's improved pass-through (mixed and extended reality) support and improved haptics (physical feedback through the controllers). It takes time for companies to develop experiences that fully utilize new features so it will be a while before the potential of the Quest 3 is achieved. </div><div><br /></div><div>If the bundle offer of Azgard's Wrath 2 makes sense for your family then that's definitely a factor due to the high value of this premium game. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Coding for the Meta Quest 3 </h3><div>One of the things we love about the Quest is that it's pretty straightforward to create your own 3D experiences for the device. This is a pretty cool feature for teens who want to create their own 3D games or experiences. </div><div><br /></div><div>Options include:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A-frame - we created an <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2022/09/code-3d-vr-halloween-scene-meta-quest-a-frame.html" target="_blank">A-frame demo</a>, this just needs a suitable web browser installed on the headset</li><li>Roblox - Games created for Roblox can be played on the Meta Quest</li><li>Horizon Worlds (from Meta) - create interactive experiences on the headset itself using a drag and drop, blocks-based language</li><li>You can use the <a href="https://developer.oculus.com/documentation/unity/unity-gs-overview/" target="_blank">Unity</a> games engine to develop for the Meta Quest for free</li><li>Creating games with the <a href="https://developer.oculus.com/documentation/unreal/unreal-quick-start-guide-quest/" target="_blank">Unreal</a> engine from Epic is also possible</li></ul></div><div>If you've got a tween or teen who is already interested in coding or could be persuaded to try creating interactive content for 3D then the Meta Quest is a pretty cool platform to develop for. 3D environments are likely to be very popular in the future for entertainment, commercial and social experiences as well as for games. It's a valuable skill set to develop. And it's very cool to be inside a world or experience that you have created. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Meta Quest 3 Launch Bundle Offer</h3><div>The Meta Quest 3 launches with a free copy of Asgard’s Wrath 2 - a brand new premium game which is launching in December 2023. But ... the game has an age rating of 18 so this is going to be a bit disappointing for families with tweens or younger teens. It's a shame that there isn't an alternative launch bundle for families. Asgard's Wrath 2 does look amazing though, one for the adults and older teens once the younger ones have gone to bed!</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Meta Quest 3 Summary</h3>
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VR hasn't quite become mainstream but there are a lot of devices out there. In our household I'm the main user. I love 3D games, experiences and especially fitness apps. For my kids the previous Quest was a fun gadget to get out and show to friends and family. Other young people prefer VR to other forms of gaming. <div><br /></div><div>Personally I think that immersive 3D is going to be important in the future. I'm team metaverse. I think the technology is going to keep evolving and the slimmed down <a href="https://amzn.to/49AHkiv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Meta Quest 3</a> is going to look clunky and dated in 5 years. But it's the best option there is at this price range in 2023 and probably for the next few years. </div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-4611256589425599212022-09-18T07:09:00.006-04:002023-10-27T05:44:52.475-04:00📙Kindle and Paperwhite eReaders for kids and tweens - 2023 models buying guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9s14Hg050jqSsOIj0NzavjqF9UUtP7u8PExy_lhHtUjyHFJaqMNseCU6cOHDkOUb6uW5IKFFiw3nG3MUzi0gfcvJSZHbSFHbvFU03A3mUy0MpVJ9Qclp6itkyQU-w6ASJYJrTNlQspSIPTAWAaErQWyqOqsizgsh8-9lu3YdgdEEvgYq9qjF7CfA/s640/kindle-kids-2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kindle Kids ereader 2022" border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9s14Hg050jqSsOIj0NzavjqF9UUtP7u8PExy_lhHtUjyHFJaqMNseCU6cOHDkOUb6uW5IKFFiw3nG3MUzi0gfcvJSZHbSFHbvFU03A3mUy0MpVJ9Qclp6itkyQU-w6ASJYJrTNlQspSIPTAWAaErQWyqOqsizgsh8-9lu3YdgdEEvgYq9qjF7CfA/s16000/kindle-kids-2022.jpg" title="Kindle Kids ereader 2022" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Let's take a look at the latest eReader Amazon Kindle models for 2022. This includes the regular eInk Kindle device and the higher spec Paperwhite model. These devices are intended purely for distraction-free reading and have access to a huge catalog of kid-friendly titles. These eReaders have parental controls, kid-friendly designs, and lots of other kid-friendly features. Amazon regularly update the models, so let's take a look at the latest range for the 2022 holiday season. </p><p>Note that these devices do sometimes go out of stock at busy times when demand is high so consider buying early to avoid disappointment. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">What is a Kindle Kids eReader?</h3>
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<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Black-and-white eInk device which is <b>comfortable to read</b>. </li><li><b>Built-in light</b> for reading under the bedcovers! (Really useful as you can turn off the main room light ready for sleeping.)</li><li><b>Low power usage</b>, only needs charging every 2-6 weeks depending on usage. </li><li><b>Small and lightweight</b> for comfortable reading. </li><li>Access to loads of kid-friendly content. <b>1-year subscription to Kids+</b> including and you can purchase additional titles. </li><li><b>Parental controls</b> so you can manage content for your child. </li><li>Suitable for kids aged around <b>7-12</b> (younger ones might prefer an interactive color Kindle Fire tablet, older ones are ready for the adult versions of the devices.)</li><li>Same hardware as the adult devices but with a <b>kid-friendly cover and warranty</b>. </li><li>Adjustable font and lots of <b>features to help kids with reading</b> such as Vocabulary Builder.</li><li><b>Built-in Bluetooth</b> to connect to a speaker. Some Kids+ books include Audible audio content so kids can<b> listen and read</b> or switch between them depending on what they are doing. </li><li>Regular model and premium Paperwhite Kids model. </li></ul></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">New for 2022</h3><div>The basic Kindle Kids eReader (along with the adult model) has received a really significant update this year. The new features are pretty major and make a real difference to the experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>The new Kindle Kids starts shipping on October 12th 2022. New features include:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>High resolution 300dpi display</b>. This was previously only available on the premium Paperwhite device. It really makes a difference to how crisp the text looks and makes reading more comfortable. </li><li><b>USB-C charging.</b> No need to find an old cable to charge your device! Now you can use the same cable as other devices you have.</li><li><b>Longer battery life</b>. Kindle eReaders have good battery life but increased battery life is great for vacations and means the device is less likely to run out just when the story gets really exciting!</li><li><b>A massive 16GB of storage</b>. This is a lot and means that you won't need to worry about deleting books and kids can have a choice of books downloaded and ready to go to make sure there's nothing to stop them from reading. </li><li>The new model is <b>lighter</b> which is really important for kids.</li><li>Lovely new <b>kid-friendly cover designs</b>. </li></ul><div>The Kindle Kids Paperwhite was only released last year so it's likely to be a while before a major update. </div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Kindle Kids vs Adult Models</h3>
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<p>It's important to understand that the kids' versions of Amazon's eReaders have the same hardware features as the adult versions, these aren't toys, they are high-quality hardware but packaged with kid-friendly features. The Kindle Kids devices are great for ages 7-12. </p><p>Key differences:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Kids Kindles come with a <b>2-year worry-free guarantee</b> instead of the usual 1-year limited warranty. </li><li>Kids Kindles come with a <b>choice of covers</b> with colorful, kid-friendly designs. </li><li>You get a <b>1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+</b> (books for kids up to age 12) with the kids models. (You can buy this as an add-on with the normal models.)</li><li>The kids versions are <b>all ad-free </b>whereas adult models are also available in a cheaper ad-free option. </li><li>There's a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition with extra features in the adult range which is not available as a kids version.</li></ul><div>You can use the Parent Dashboard to manage content but this is more about your child using a child profile so you might want to consider the regular range for older kids who won't appreciate the child-focussed features. </div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Kindle Kids vs Kindle Paperwhite Kids</h3>
<div>The Kindle Kids range is based on the regular Kindle device and the Paperwhite Kids (new last year) is based on the higher-spec Kindle Paperwhite. </div><div><br /></div><div>Key differences:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Paperwhite is <b>waterproof</b> so can be used around the pool, and in the bath, and can cope with having a drink spilled on it. </li><li>The Paperwhite has a slightly <b>larger screen</b>. This might actually make it more awkward to hold for younger kids as it's <b>slightly larger and heavier.</b> </li><li>The Paperwhite has an <b>adjustable warm light and more LEDs</b> (the Kindle Kids does have a front light for reading in low light.)</li><li>The Paperwhite kids has 8GB storage while the Kindle Kids has 16GB (yes the <b>cheaper device has more storage</b>.) The adult version of the Paperwhite has a 16GB option this year but we're not yet seeing that for the kids model.</li></ul><div>Note that the upgraded Kindle Kids for 2022 has USB-C charging so this is no longer a difference from the Paperwhite. </div></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Kindle Kids vs Kindle Fire Kids</h3>
<div>The Kindle Fire Kids range of tablets can run apps, play videos, and access the internet as well as being able to display eBooks in color. However, lots of families prefer a specialized eReader device for reading. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why choose a dedicated eReader device?</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>An eReader is just for reading books so you <b>don't have all the distractions</b> of a tablet full of fun apps and videos. </li><li>An eReader has an <b>eInk display </b>which can <b>reduce eyestrain</b> whereas using a tablet before bed can have a negative effect on <b>sleep</b>. </li><li>It's easier to create a regular reading routine with a device <b>designed for the purpose</b> which is regularly used at the same time each day. </li><li>The <b>battery</b> lasts much longer on an eReader as it just uses power to update the display. This means that it's much more likely to be charged and ready to go when kids want to read. </li><li>The eReader devices are considerably <b>smaller and lighter</b> than even the smallest Kindle Fire tablet. This can be really important for getting a comfortable reading position.</li><li>The Kindle devices have features designed to <b>support reading</b> such as Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise and the OpenDyslexic font. The experience is completely focused on reading.</li></ul><div>It's worth noting that the black-and-white experience of the eReader might not be a good option for very young early readers or reluctant readers. The color display and support for interactive eBooks on a Kindle Fire device might be a better choice in those cases.</div></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Overview</h3>
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<div>The Kindle Kids devices are a great option for ages 7-12. Younger kids may prefer a Kindle Fire tablet for its color and interactivity whereas teens won't benefit from the features for younger kids and would be better off with an adult model. For tweens it's worth getting the Kids version if they're still reading books for that age group, otherwise, you might want to consider the adult version. The hardware is still the same so you can just swap the kids cover for an adult cover when they're ready. Or you can go the other way and add a Kids+ subscription to a regular Kindle. The new regular Kids Kindle for 2022 has a really good specification so it's only worth getting the Kids Kindle Paperwhite if you need the waterproof feature or a slightly larger screen.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-82089163630138696942022-09-17T04:04:00.007-04:002023-10-27T05:41:19.232-04:00🎃 Code a 3D VR Halloween Scene with A-frame for the Meta Quest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXnNM_h248nqZzuxFtoOG9-IyHi1vw76taXw4F9xF1uorpyr2Wr1bm70Y0OGDoUt6C_PWWx4hLfW1i6gW6Q-BmfR53QsXSfg6V4I_3MdKtRouSQ1g1mfV7dk8uajdBxOl-YbJl1VmnAJuDXbwgqqkhX_O_qHTwsWML-vv2tfnf3_7bpwy6RtoSwAG/s640/meta-quest-halloween-pumpkin-a-frame-head.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Code a 3D VR Halloween Scene with A-frame for the Meta Quest (2)" border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXnNM_h248nqZzuxFtoOG9-IyHi1vw76taXw4F9xF1uorpyr2Wr1bm70Y0OGDoUt6C_PWWx4hLfW1i6gW6Q-BmfR53QsXSfg6V4I_3MdKtRouSQ1g1mfV7dk8uajdBxOl-YbJl1VmnAJuDXbwgqqkhX_O_qHTwsWML-vv2tfnf3_7bpwy6RtoSwAG/s16000/meta-quest-halloween-pumpkin-a-frame-head.png" title="Code a 3D VR Halloween Scene with A-frame for the Meta Quest (2)" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This project shows you how to make your own 3D VR Halloween scene that you can view using a <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2022/09/meta-oculus-quest-2-vr-headset-for-teens.html">Meta Quest (2) VR headset</a> or on a phone. This is a good project for teens who have a Meta Quest headset. There's something very cool about designing your own scene and then moving around it in VR! It's early days for VR and the metaverse but it looks like it will play an important role in the future so it's a good idea for young people to understand how to create for these platforms.</div><div><br /></div><div>This project runs in the Browser on the Meta Quest and allows you to create a fully immersive VR experience.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What is A-frame?</h3><div>A-frame is a platform that allows you to write code that creates 3D objects and scenes that you can view in a web browser. You can develop and view A-frame projects in a web browser on a computer. You can also open A-frame projects in a web browser on a VR headset or a phone for a VR or AR (augmented reality) experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are lots of ways to create VR experiences with code. We chose A-frame because it's easy to get started with, has good documentation, offers a proper VR experience, and has lots of options for extending to more advanced techniques when you are ready. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Using Glitch to create an A-frame project</h3><div>We used the Glitch online editor to create our project. Glitch has a handy A-frame starter project that you can remix to get started. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can view the project at: <a href="https://halloween-pumpkin.glitch.me">https://halloween-pumpkin.glitch.me</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Online safety:</b> You must be at least 13 to create a Glitch account. Glitch projects are <b>public</b> <i>by default</i> so do not share personal information.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Controls</b>: Use WASD, arrow keys and dragging with the mouse to move around on a computer. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Viewing our Halloween scene on a Meta Quest (2)</h3><div>Open the <b>Browser app</b> on the Meta Quest (2). Enter the url '<a href="https://halloween-pumpkin.glitch.me">https://halloween-pumpkin.glitch.me</a>'. Click 'VR' in the bottom right to enter full VR mode. </div><div><br /></div><div>The camera will move when you look around. Use the thumbstick on the right controller to move around. See if you can look behind the pumpkin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Press the Menu button on the left controller to exit to the browser or the Home button on the right controller to quit the browser. </div><div><br /></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Coding with A-frame</h3><div>A-frame allows you to write code in a web page using a language that builds on HTML (the language web pages are written in.)</div><div><br /></div><div>
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<div><br /></div>We'll take you through the concepts that are used in this example so that you can understand the code and make changes. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Using an A-frame environment </h3><div>A-frame environments are a really quick way to get started with a VR scene. </div><div><br /></div><div>We've used the 'checkerboard' environment with purple 'spikes' as dressing and some 'fog' for atmosphere. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can find other things to change in the <a href=" https://github.com/feiss/aframe-environment-component" target="_blank">environment documentation</a>.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Adding objects</h3><div>The table is made of 'box' 3D shapes, the pumpkin is a 'sphere' (squashed using 'scale') and its stalk is a cylinder.</div><div><br /></div><div>Important concepts: <div><ul><li>The unit of measurement is meters, so a radius of 0.25 gives you a pumpkin that measures 50cm across. This is important for making things are the right size for a person in a VR environment. </li><li>The player camera is positioned at "0 1.6 0". </li><li>The table top is positioned at "0 1 -6" which is 1 meter off the ground and 6 meters in front of the player. </li></ul></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Using Entities</h3><div>Entities can be used for lots of purposes, they are less specific than the 3D objects such as sphere. We have used Entities to group objects together to scale the pumpkin and its stalk, and to make all the objects use shadows. </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Wrapping an image around a sphere</h3></div><div>To make more visually interesting objects, you can wrap a 2D image around a 3D shape. The pumpkin has a 2D 'skin' as a material. This was created using the Google Drawings tool but you can you any 2D drawing tool that can export png or jpg images. You can use our <a href="https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1wUG6ca2DZHAxbXyTdyCxAMd6wS8Yf5xysacsaaqnluI/">Pumpkin skin on Google Drawings</a> as a starting point for a different Pumpkin face.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/e/2PACX-1vRZWeejvr-rOSOQ3BcCgL5Xm-5gTZRWC4mLusUz-18LgicTWLl6fGNxlV-F-91rJB2IAgFgezB_a-8g/pub?w=1512&h=756" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Maths</b>: If the width of the image is the circumference (so it can wrap around the pumpkin) then the height needs to be half the circumference (so it can wrap from the base to the top of the pumpkin.) The actual measurements don't matter, it just needs to be a 2:1 ratio.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Adding movement controls</h3><div>The example includes code for using the Meta touch controllers. Use the right joystick to move around. </div><div><br /></div><div><h3>Make it yours</h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Create a Glitch account and remix our example project</li><li>Try changing the <a href=" https://github.com/feiss/aframe-environment-component" target="_blank">environment settings</a></li><li>Add more pumpkins and scenery, see the <a href="https://aframe.io/docs/1.3.0/introduction/html-and-primitives.html" target="_blank">A-frame documentation</a></li><li>Use different colors - you can use any of the CSS color names or Hex color codes. </li><li>Create different pumpkin skins (export from your drawing tool and drag into Glitch to create an Asset that you can use in your project.)</li><li>View your scene on a Meta Quest headset. Use the menu button on the left controller to go back to the browser and 'refresh' when you make changes to your scene.</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h3></div><div>We showed you how to use A-frame to create a VR scene that you can view and move around in on a Meta (Oculus) Quest headset. We looked at the concepts involved in creating 3D objects and scenes, adding 2D skins as materials, and creating controls for movement. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not got a Meta Quest 2 headset yet? Check our of review of the <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2022/09/meta-oculus-quest-2-vr-headset-for-teens.html">Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 VR headset for teens</a> or our review of the new for 2023 <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2023/10/meta-quest-3-vr-headset-hands-on-review.html">Meta Quest 3</a>. </div><div> </div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-19608900732251474782022-09-10T11:02:00.003-04:002023-11-12T09:20:32.536-05:00⌚Which Fitbit tracker for Teens? Inspire vs Charge vs Luxe - buying guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31W_N-IiKi2Hk-GITvQaHyRJn1a6eEMK2E09RMfDz-7SyM7wPX75J-ICTEUMytPoe0RkPiknBIgXnls2JqU94sXbAl8aplaXYaJiIDF0Gy3yrIuGcb395S8fP06-Re13mWS4leIsgmlxgFb2qjWkrux8VTvB9lwa8PfGL2alEBBHZqap6jr4gEtLq/s640/fitbit-teens-inspire-luxe-charge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fitbit tracker for teens, inspire, luxe, charge" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31W_N-IiKi2Hk-GITvQaHyRJn1a6eEMK2E09RMfDz-7SyM7wPX75J-ICTEUMytPoe0RkPiknBIgXnls2JqU94sXbAl8aplaXYaJiIDF0Gy3yrIuGcb395S8fP06-Re13mWS4leIsgmlxgFb2qjWkrux8VTvB9lwa8PfGL2alEBBHZqap6jr4gEtLq/s16000/fitbit-teens-inspire-luxe-charge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Considering a Fitbit fitness tracker for your teen? Let's take a look at the options and see which Fitbit makes the most sense for you and your teen. This will depend on your budget and their lifestyle and what you want to achieve with the device. </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Fitbits for age 13+ </h3><div>We've focussed this article on Fitbit choices for teens because the grown-up models are designed for age 13+. If you have a child under this age then you are limited to the FitBit Ace range which is designed for younger kids.</div><div><br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Best Fitbit for ...</h3>
<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Budget.</b> The <a href="https://amzn.to/3uitIrH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Inspire 3</a> (still the latest model for 2023), or if you can find it discounted, the Inspire 2.</li><li><b>Looks.</b> The <a href="https://amzn.to/477BwLr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Luxe</a>. Important if style really matters. </li><li><b>Fitness.</b> The <a href="https://amzn.to/47xX43X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charge 6</a> (updated model for 2023). Packed with fitness features and also looks good. </li><li><b>Small wrists.</b> The Luxe is compact. </li><li><b>Battery life.</b> The Inspire 3 (or 2) has a typical battery life of 10 days, higher than the other models (less if you make use of the always-on-screen feature for the Inspire 3 though.)</li><li><b>Runners.</b> The Charge 5 has built-in GPS functionality for tracking runs so you don't need to have your phone with you. </li><li><b>Contactless payments.</b> The Charge 5 has Fitbit Pay which allows credit and debit cards to be added. This requires a suitable card which may not be available to younger teens. </li><li><b>Mindfulness.</b> The Inspire 3 is the cheapest device to feature the Relax app with guided breathing (the Luxe also has it). </li><li><b>Health monitoring.</b> The Charge 5 has heart and skin temperature monitoring (not medical advice but useful information.)</li></ul></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Features that all recent Fitbit fitness trackers have</h3><div>Note that this doesn't include the Fitbit Ace for kids which has a different feature set. The most recent models of the Fitbit ranges considered for teens in this guide all have:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Pedometer/step tracking.</b> Set goals for number of steps per day. </li><li><b>Water resistance.</b> Don't worry if they accidentally take their device into the shower! The devices can also be used for swimming. </li><li><b>Heart rate monitoring.</b> Keep track of resting heart rate and heart rate during exercise. </li><li><b>Menstrual health tracking.</b> Useful to have this in the same app as other health and fitness information. Be aware of data privacy issues though.</li><li><b>Choice of straps.</b> Additional official straps in different colours and styles are available for all models but note that they are different for each device. </li><li><b>Sleep tracking.</b> Really useful for teens who have difficulty sleeping or have unpredictable sleep routines. Can you spot any patterns between the sleep their getting and their mood? All the ranges have a smart alarm feature which could make waking up less painful for teens!</li><li><b>Fitbit app.</b> Lots of reporting features and historical information. Additional reports and content (such as exercise and meditation routines) if you have Fitbit premium (charged after free trial.)</li><li><b>Phone link.</b> Call, text and app notifications. The Find my phone app allows you to play a loud sound on your phone. This is really useful for teens who lose track of their phone (very useful for one of my teens ...) </li><li><b>Fast charging.</b> These devices charge quickly if your teen puts off charging or or forgets to charge their Fitbit. Very useful!</li><li><b>Colour screen.</b> The most recent model in each range has a colour screen with a choice of clock faces. Note that the older Inspire 2 has a black and white screen.</li><li><b>Android or Apple.</b> The Fibit app and syncing with the Fitbit works with most Android and iOS devices.</li></ul><div>Note that none of the most recent models has an altimeter with floor tracking. This might come as a disappointment if you have used older Fitbits that did have this feature. None of the fitness trackers has Bluetooth on-wrist phone calls either, you need a Fitbit smartwatch for that. </div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What to consider when buying a fitness tracker for teens</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Size and fit.</b> For younger teens and girls with a small frame, the size of the device is important to consider. Fitbits are primarily designed for adults and some models will look a bit chunky on a slim teen, they might be fine with this but it's worth considering. Most Fitbits come with a small and large strap and the small strap does fit a small wrist which is good. </li><li><b>Appearance.</b> For many teens, appearance is important. There's no point buying a device that doesn't get worn because it doesn't match an outfit! This is actually one of the key differentiators between the different models so it's worth considering. </li><li><b>Battery life.</b> Maybe your teen is brilliant at remembering to keep devices changed, but maybe they're not! There's a trade-off across the Fitbit models of how fancy the screen is, the size of the device, and how often it needs to be charged. (It's really annoying if you're just about to head off on a family hike and your teen realizes their Fitbit is about to run out of charge ...)</li><li><b>Features.</b> All of the Fitbit trackers will keep track of number of steps taken and sleep. If your child is a runner or cyclist then the GPS tracker is a great feature. You might also want to consider whether they will use the device for swimming. </li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">Things to consider</h3></div><div>The app <b>tracks calories burned</b> and allows tracking of calories consumed. This may be a positive, negative or neutral feature depending on the relationship your teen has with food. </div><div><br /></div><div>The app offers <b>menstruation tracking</b>. This could be a really useful feature for teen girls who are getting used to their cycle. You should consider data privacy issues carefully depending on your local legal situation. This is an important discussion to have with teen girls.</div><div><br /></div><div>The app offers lots of data and analysis. You should have regular discussions with your teen to make sure they understand the data they are seeing and whether <b>anything is worrying them</b>. A Fitbit can be helpful in identifying potential medical issues that should be discussed with a medical professional but some teens may be prone to worry about any information they don't fully understand. The app is not designed specifically for teens so they may need help interpreting it. </div><div><br /></div><div>A Fitbit can be a really useful tool for helping young people of <b>all fitness levels</b>. It can help athletes to track their performance and motivate less active young people to have a healthier lifestyle. Some teens may have a tendency to <b>obsess over data</b> so it's important to help them keep things in perspective. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Fitbit app allows users to <b>share data with friends</b>. Make sure your teen understands that they can decide which data to share and whether it is appropriate for them to share their data with others. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fitbits don't all use the same <b>charging cable</b>. This is a pain for families who need to take multiple cables on vacation and won't be able to share cables at home or when a cable gets lost. The Luxe and Charge 5 use the same cable. The Ace (kids) and Inspire 2 use the same cable. The Inspire 3 and other models each use different cables! If you have multiple different devices you might want to label them. </div><div><br /></div><div>You really need a <b>phone</b> to make the most of a modern Fitbit device. You can use it to track steps and heart rate without a phone but many of the features are accessed through the Fitbit app on a connected phone. </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Understanding the Fitbit models</h3>
<div>Fitbit Inspire is the entry-level range and will be the right choice if budget is your main concern and you just want a good quality well-featured fitness tracker without high-end features. This is the range that my teens have and they use them for keeping track of their daily activity and their sleep. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Fitbit Inspire 2 vs Inspire 3</h3><div>The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the new device in this range, launched in September 2022. However, you may find the Fitbit Inspire 2 at a discounted price for a while. </div><div><br /></div><div>The screen on the new Fitbit Inspire 3 is much nicer than the one on the Inspire 2 and also has an 'always on' option which is really useful for getting immediate feedback while exercising (but does drain the battery more quickly). The Inspire 3 comes in a different range of strap colours. The Inspire 3 has mostly the same sensing capabilities as the Inspire 2 but it adds SpO2 (blood oxygen) monitoring.</div><div><br /></div><div>For many teens the improved appearance of the Fitbit Inspire 3 will make it more desirable. But if your teen isn't worried about that or actually prefers the slightly smaller Inspire 2 and doesn't need the new features then they'll probably be quite happy with an Inspire 2 if you find it available at a good price. The older Inspire 2 also comes with 12 months of Fitbit premium membership whereas it's only 6 months for the newer models. </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Fitbit Inspire 3 vs Fitbit Luxe</h3><div>The <a href="https://amzn.to/477BwLr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fitbit Luxe</a> range focusses on appearance with a fitness tracker that also serves as jewellery. This is likely to appeal to teens who don't want to wear an obvious fitness device all the time but do want the benefits of a fitness tracker. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Luxe is slim and nicely designed and even comes in a version with a gold bracelet. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Luxe has a colour display but needs charging more often (typically every 5 days instead of every 10). The Fitbit Luxe does track SpO2 but doesn't have GPS tracking (so it can't provide maps of your runs.)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Luxe is a much nicer-looking device and if you have the extra budget and don't need the GPS feature then this makes a great tracker for teen girls.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Fitbit Inspire 3 vs Fitbit Charge 5</h3><div>The Charge range is the premium fitness tracker (before you move on to the fitness watch category of products.) It looks nicer than the Inspire range and it has GPS tracking. The Charge 5 is a wider device but not as chunky as the Inspire range. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Charge 5 has additional heart rate monitoring features including ECG and heart rate variability monitoring. It also measures skin temperature and variation. This makes the Charge 5 a good choice for health monitoring though it shouldn't be seen as a medical device. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have the Charge 5 because I preferred the look of it to the Inspire range but I wanted the GPS feature which the Luxe is lacking. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Update</b>: The <a href="https://amzn.to/3QWHUzu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fitbit Charge 6</a> is new for 2023 and has a physical button on the side to make it easier to navigate. Unless you find the older model seriously discounted then you'll want to choose the newer model. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Which Fitbits have GPS tracking?</h3><div>The Charge 5 has built-in GPS so you don't have to have your phone with you to be able to create a map of a run. The Inspire 3 (and Inspire 2) and Luxe can use the GPS feature of your phone which means you'll need to take your phone with you to have GPS tracking.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Which Fitbits are waterproof?</h3><div>All of the latest models are water resistant up to 50m for showers and swimming (except the kids Ace range.)</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Summary</h3>
<div>There's actually less technical difference between the different Fitbit tracker models than you might expect. </div><div><br /></div><div>For teens, the practical factors such as battery life and the appearance of the model might be more important. The main exception is if you want built-in GPS tracking which the Charge 5 or Charge 6 has. </div><div><br /></div><div>2023/4 latest models:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/477BwLr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Luxe</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3suduLQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Inspire 3</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/47oECum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fitbit Charge 6</a> (new for 2023)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-84555668725516951022022-09-09T04:44:00.007-04:002023-11-17T09:17:02.279-05:00Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 VR Headset for Teens<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrX7wO-Xi5T-LtzZ0yyPjMJH_IezKoTyWhqv86OOFeRib7eW9UF7Gt5JCUcyvkwnkJCUcEADNMQZwKqnasC2VnefXbHdDRYi6XXsKzwZGT6zjafJwWz3YrntXAD16SHCNnYq5Wsc3d3_-ONqyKk5W8aj9UZFO7rZo-8JjtlVOoIKI8k2PbROyGBwM/s1600/oculus-meta-quest-2-teens.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Meta Oculus Quest VR Headset for teens." border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrX7wO-Xi5T-LtzZ0yyPjMJH_IezKoTyWhqv86OOFeRib7eW9UF7Gt5JCUcyvkwnkJCUcEADNMQZwKqnasC2VnefXbHdDRYi6XXsKzwZGT6zjafJwWz3YrntXAD16SHCNnYq5Wsc3d3_-ONqyKk5W8aj9UZFO7rZo-8JjtlVOoIKI8k2PbROyGBwM/s1600/oculus-meta-quest-2-teens.jpg" /></a></div>
The Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 VR headset is recommended for age 13+. Does it make a great gift for teens and their families? The quick answer is that, yes, we do recommend the Meta Quest 2 for teens if you don’t have any really specialist requirements and are looking for your first family VR headset. What should you consider before making a purchase? We’ve tried to cover all the things that it’s useful to know before you make a decision about a VR headset.
<b>Update</b> <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2023/10/meta-quest-3-vr-headset-hands-on-review.html">See our Meta Quest 3 review</a>.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 name </h3>
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<div>First of all, let’s clear up any confusion around the naming of this headset. It was launched as the Oculus Quest 2 and renamed the Meta Quest 2. It’s the same product, it was renamed as part of a branding exercise by Facebook. Just in case you were confused when reading about the topic. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> Age recommendation </h3><div>And why is the headset recommended for age 13+? The <a href="”https://www.oculus.com/safety-center/”">official answer</a> is that younger children are at more risk of injury and adverse effects. A very practical consideration is that the headset is quite large. There are also online safety factors to consider, particularly the ability to interact with others online and the difficulty supervising this activity. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Key features </h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Meta Quest 2 is a <b>standalone headset</b> that does not require a gaming console or a PC. There is a phone app for setup but gameplay does not use a phone, the screen and computer are built into the headset. </li><li> The Meta Quest 2 is <b>wireless</b>. There are no wires connected when you are using the headset. This has been a game changer for us. </li><li>The headset itself <b>charges</b> via a USB-C cable and the controllers use AA batteries (there are add-on solutions for charging without batteries and a cable.) </li><li> There’s a large and<b> growing library</b> of official apps and games as well as less-well-tested app lab games. There is free content as well as paid content. </li><li> You set up a <b>gaming boundary</b> and get in-game warnings if you head outside this area. There’s also a ‘pass though’ mode where you can view your surroundings with the headset on. These features are pretty good at helping teens avoid crashing into things but care is still needed! </li><li>You can have <b>multiple family members</b> using the same device and having access to games owned by the person with the admin account. </li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;"> What can teens do with a Meta Quest 2 VR headset? </h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> <b>Gaming.</b> Probably the obvious one, but the variety of game types is perhaps not so obvious. There are shooter games (with a range of age ratings), but there are also adventure and escape games, sports simulations such as bowling and golf, massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, and puzzle games. </li><li><b>Experiences.</b> There are apps that allow you to travel the world, immersive storytelling apps, and awareness-raising apps. Technologists and creatives are experimenting with how to use the VR platform and there’s lots of non-game content. </li><li><b>Fitness and wellbeing.</b> Many VR games involve moving around and there are lots designed specifically for fitness. This makes a VR headset an interesting option for a teen with a fitness or healthy weight loss goal. VR exercise can be done at home in all weather. There are also meditation and relaxation apps for well-being. </li><li><b>Events.</b> Increasingly music concerts and other events are being captured and shared in VR. Some are live, with others being available to view after the event. This can offer some really interesting experiences for teens from home. </li><li><b>Education.</b> VR is increasingly being considered an education platform. Mondly has a language learning app and the new Librarium app promises a range of educational content. This is going to be an interesting area for development.
Art and creativity. The Meta Quest has a variety of creative apps for creating digital art and sculptures. </li><li><b>Social.</b> The Meta Quest has apps that allow virtual socialization. This can be great for groups of friends to meet up virtually but also brings risks that parents should be aware of. </li><li><b>Coding.</b> The Meta Quest is a surprisingly accessible platform for teens who want to create VR content. Check out our <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2022/09/code-3d-vr-halloween-scene-meta-quest-a-frame.html">Halloween VR Coding project</a>. </li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">Practicalities </h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Should you be worried about teens crashing into things when they have the headset on? Well, it depends on your teen, but basically yes! Initially, we’d recommend another person in the room. We have also found that having a rug or exercise mat the size of the play area helps. We’ve also used folding sleeping mats to protect teens/furniture. Also, be aware of ceiling height if your teen is tall. </li><li>Definitely encourage the use of the wrist straps so that it becomes routine to just use them. </li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">Comfort </h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Meta Quest 2 comes with an adapter for <b>glasses</b> wearers. There’s also an option to purchase prescription lenses to go inside the headset. </li><li>There are games that can really make you <b>sweat</b> (yes, Les Mills Ultimate Body Combat, I’m talking about you). You may want to consider some sweatband eye masks which might look a bit daft but are worth it if you use the headset for exercise. </li><li>There’s an official upgrade to the included elastic strap which offers more <b>support</b> and may be more comfortable. There’s also a version with a battery pack so consider whether you want the extra battery before purchasing. </li><li>Some people will experience <b>motion sickness</b> when using VR. I am one of them! I can confirm that developers have got much better at this and there are now lots of games that I can play, but many that I can’t. If you think this may be an issue then start with a game such as Beat Saber that doesn’t have lots of camera movement rather than choosing an intense Roller Coaster as your first experience (not that we made this mistake …) </li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">Charging and power tips </h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The headset plugs into a USB-C cable for charging and the controllers use AA batteries. If you prefer a charging stand without cables to connect or batteries to replace then Anker makes a smart-looking and really useful charging dock. </li><li>The battery time should be sufficient for a single user. You can get an extra battery if multiple family members or groups of friends will be taking turns. </li><li>There’s an auto-activate setting that can lead to the headset turning on when not in use and draining the battery. Turn it off! You can turn off this feature in the settings. In our experience, this is worth doing with teens who may forget to put the device on to charge, especially if there are multiple users. </li><li>The Oculus Quest 2 battery lasts for about 2 hours of gaming (a bit longer for other activities) and takes about 2.5 hours for a full charge. So if it’s run out of charge completely expect over an hour’s charging to get an hour of gameplay. </li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;"> Audio </h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Meta Quest 2 has audio built into the headset so you only need headphones or earphones to either improve the audio experience or avoid disturbing others (the sound isn’t loud to others but you can hear it.) </li><li> The Meta Quest 2 has a 3.5mm audio jack connector. Alternatively, you can plug USB-C headphones into the charging socket unless you have a strap with an extra battery pack. </li><li> Wireless headphones or earbuds are not supported but some will work for some apps (you can try pairing in the settings.) </li></ul><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Sharing the device </h3></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can have multiple users on the same device. This was a key feature for us. They can each access content owned by the admin user (that would be me in our case). If you have an older teen who will be heading off to college and taking their device with them then you may want them to be the admin user and own their own apps. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"> Safety and controls </h3></div><div style="text-align: left;">In 2022, Meta added parental controls to the Meta Quest so that parents can restrict access to inappropriate content. Teens (ages 13-17) are able to request access to apps with higher age ratings. Meta has provided information on VR parental control features. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Parents should also be aware that many games and apps have a social aspect with users being able to use a microphone to talk to others. There are also parental controls for social features. You should make sure you understand the social features of any apps that your teens have access to so you can make informed decisions about how they interact with others in virtual environments. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> You may have heard that Meta (Oculus) Quest users require a Facebook account. This changed in 2022. Users now have the option of having a Meta account which does not have to be linked to social media accounts. This may be important to parents of teens. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Using with a PC </h3><div style="text-align: left;">The Oculus Quest 2 is typically used as a standalone device without a games console or gaming PC. However, if you do have a gaming PC then the Quest 2 can connect to it for additional gaming options (via a cable or wirelessly.) This is a great feature that can really extend the use of the device in homes that have a suitable computer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Meta Quest 3? </h3><div style="text-align: left;">It’s important to know whether the tech you’re about to buy will soon be obsolete. While we can’t know for sure, it looks like it will be a while before there’s a next-gen budget VR headset from Oculus. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, if you’re interested in a higher-end device then Project Cambria (Meta Quest Pro) is coming soon. This is likely to have a much higher price tag than the Meta Quest 2 so isn’t a direct alternative - it’s a more specialist device rather than an entry-level VR headset. (I’m sure many teens will covet it but it’s a very different buying decision for families.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So it looks like the Meta Quest 2 will be the current model in the range for a while. There are so many of these headsets out there that they should remain well-supported for plenty of time.
Meta Quest 2 Price
The price of the Meta Quest 2 was increased in July 2022. This is quite unusual for a tech product. Meta has said that this increase will allow them to invest in the future of VR. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You might feel like you missed out on the earlier price but the current experience is much better than when the device was first released. The ecosystem around the Meta Quest 2 is now much more established. When we first got ours the app and game options were somewhat limited and we didn’t feel there was enough choice. That has now changed and there are loads more titles available. Parental controls have also been added and the requirement for a Facebook account was removed. New buyers will also avoid the issues around the headset causing irritation for some users. To soften the blow of the price increase, Meta has announced that the Beat Saber game will be included with purchases in the remainder of 2022. This is a fab game and a great first VR experience for family and friends to try out. You still get a lot of tech for your money. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Alternatives to the Meta Quest 2 </h3><div style="text-align: left;">There are other VR headsets on the market, but at this point in time, we’d recommend the Meta Quest 2 as a great teen-friendly introduction to VR for families. The exception would be where you have techie teens with a specific interest in and knowledge about another platform and you have the budget to indulge them. For example, if they already have, or are getting a Playstation and want to be able to play games on that platform and understand that it’s a wired headset that requires the use of the games console. (We’ll cover the Playstation VR platform, which we also own, in another post.) Playstation VR is also recommended from age 12, rather than 13 which may be a factor for some families. Other VR headsets don’t have the market share of the Meta Quest 2 so you would need a specific reason to purchase one of these instead. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Which version of the Meta Quest 2?</h3><div style="text-align: left;">You can choose between a Meta Quest 2 with 128GB and one with 256GB of storage space with a cost of around $100 extra for the additional storage. Most single users should be fine with the smaller amount of storage. Choosing the larger device may be worthwhile if you have multiple users of the device with different interests and if you want to future-proof your purchase so that it lasts longer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can also choose from bundles with the strap for additional support and a case which is useful for travel. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Overall impression </h3><div style="text-align: left;">The Meta Quest 2 is a great introduction to family-friendly VR gaming and experiences. We also have the Playstation VR headset and the Quest gets used more because it’s so quick to just grab it and start playing and you can still use it if someone else is using the Playstation.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-7512148252913829102019-07-10T17:10:00.000-04:002019-07-10T17:10:44.918-04:00Nintendo release a new handheld console - The Nintendo Switch Lite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/images/08_content_images/systems_5/nintendo_switch_3/nintendo_switch_lite_2/NSwitchHWGallery-pic05~1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="800" height="272" src="https://cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/images/08_content_images/systems_5/nintendo_switch_3/nintendo_switch_lite_2/NSwitchHWGallery-pic05~1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Nintendo announced its latest handheld console, the Switch Lite, which will be available from September 2019 and retail for £199. We're loving the colour range: grey, yellow and turquoise; proving not all tech gadgets for kids and teens have to be blue (or pink). <br />
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Unlike the original Nintendo Switch, the new handheld console cannot 'switch' and you won't be able to connect it to a TV. The idea behind Switch Lite is to make it easier to take it with you on trips or away from home. Of course, it's also a lower cost barrier to enter the Nintendo market.<br />
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Nintendo fans will be glad to know that all Switch games that support handheld mode (1 player) will be compatible with the Switch Lite. You will also be able to play multiplayer games with the original Nintendo Switch via Switch Online and local wireless connection (provided you have a game for each device).<br />
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A limited Nintendo Switch Lite Zacian & Zamazenta Edition console will be released on 8 November in a Cyan and Magenta illustrations of the two new Legendary Pokémon to celebrate the release of Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield games. (Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will be available 15th November for all Nintendo Switch consoles.)<br />
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The video below by Nintendo's General Producer highlights what to expect from the new Switch Lite.<br />
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Switch Lite will be available from 20 September 2019 and will retail at $199.00. For more information check out the <a href="https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Nintendo-Switch/Nintendo-Switch-Lite/Nintendo-Switch-Lite-1595961.html">Nintendo Switch Lite</a> page.<br />
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Elbrie de Kockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03715848352301703320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-2162803765100236732019-06-19T14:09:00.000-04:002019-06-19T14:09:08.616-04:00The Kano PC partners with Microsoft to boost Creative Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMnsYZaJ5_HiAn2En9WNtfJihzhWR5MDr8YDgbG9r897DlbEdpKgpWWGQvTw3Ocmh-HHkd93wXxPhCPo-UlB9tGLWd-tNUW9TrjcI7S_T_MbEulKNMFP7zMX0Z72js-BCGaeX5pCcGHQ/s1600/img-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMnsYZaJ5_HiAn2En9WNtfJihzhWR5MDr8YDgbG9r897DlbEdpKgpWWGQvTw3Ocmh-HHkd93wXxPhCPo-UlB9tGLWd-tNUW9TrjcI7S_T_MbEulKNMFP7zMX0Z72js-BCGaeX5pCcGHQ/s640/img-011.jpg" width="640"></a></div>Kano is partnering with Microsoft to bring creative education tools to the classroom and support creative tech learning for children.<br>
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The Kano PC is a new product that stays true to the mission of Kano to create makers of technology and not just consumers thereof.<br>
<a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2019/06/the-kano-pc-partners-with-microsoft.html#more"></a>Elbrie de Kockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03715848352301703320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-57171249003892184672019-06-11T06:13:00.001-04:002019-06-11T06:16:47.231-04:00MakeBlock MotionBlock Robotics Kit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bOnSbsFieVpdxdcUHGSEJSWQ2oFZl1_7hGL_tezLEX8Ehv_XBGWHh42aR4b5KAO4kpSxQgS0uUpzOLLokp6f-6BwUUy2j3dw3JxmCcbgzOiykfLNx3-5d8wJVb4toBrIqKKYDYCLbgk/s1600/IMG_7695.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bOnSbsFieVpdxdcUHGSEJSWQ2oFZl1_7hGL_tezLEX8Ehv_XBGWHh42aR4b5KAO4kpSxQgS0uUpzOLLokp6f-6BwUUy2j3dw3JxmCcbgzOiykfLNx3-5d8wJVb4toBrIqKKYDYCLbgk/s640/IMG_7695.png" width="640"></a></div>
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MotionBlock is a new advanced beginner robotics kit for young people. It's an expensive and feature-packed kit which competes with <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2015/09/lego-mindstorms-ev3-age-recommendations.html" target="_blank">LEGO Mindstorms</a> and <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2017/01/knex-robotics-review-build-and-program.html" target="_blank">K'Nex Robotics</a>. The age recommendation is 14+ but younger children with experience of using construction kits would also be able to use the kit.<br>
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We've been following MakeBlock's robotics kits for children and young people since the mBot Kickstarter and have been consistently impressed with the quality of the hardware for the price.<br>
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Disclaimer: We received a MakeBlock MotionBlock kit for the purposes of this review. As always our views are our own.<br>
<a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2019/06/makeblock-motionblock-robotics-kit.html#more"></a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983179187933377089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-4582996498572372862019-05-16T07:47:00.001-04:002019-05-16T07:47:54.697-04:00EdCreate: Edison Robot Creator's Kit - Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP32IqfnrZF1ZrruYbEbQSC4C5qtkJCDGx1QMbNGH6JW8RR-_1FMjxVxdARZRdqmAVB-lX2UmqMxXM-IGQX5S0oGNmQ4S7Ot4esp8BVLs2pWnWvoKdfnjXBNLG1Yx5dPWREtyPrt4jw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-11+at+15.04.18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="682" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP32IqfnrZF1ZrruYbEbQSC4C5qtkJCDGx1QMbNGH6JW8RR-_1FMjxVxdARZRdqmAVB-lX2UmqMxXM-IGQX5S0oGNmQ4S7Ot4esp8BVLs2pWnWvoKdfnjXBNLG1Yx5dPWREtyPrt4jw/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-05-11+at+15.04.18.png" width="640"></a></div><br>
EdCreate is a 5 in 1 expansion pack for the Edison Robot using Lego compatible components. It is designed to teach children about coding and robotics, with the added layer of creativity and design. Most of these models require two of the Edison robots (not included, see separate review <a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2016/10/edison-mini-robot-review-and-new-20.html" target="_blank">here</a>), which in turn need the connection lead to be able to program them from a computer.<br>
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Review by Phil Wickins from <a href="http://www.rundontwalk.co.uk/" target="_blank">Run Don't Walk</a><br>
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<i>Disclaimer: This set was sent to us by Edison Robotics to review, all opinions are our own.</i><br>
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<a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2019/05/edcreate-edison-robot-creators-kit.html#more"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-32145979403742696242019-05-14T05:21:00.000-04:002019-05-16T13:06:13.604-04:00The Which Way? Game Kickstarter by OjO and OKIDO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyMrP5mzkoe9KhCk3irAl3jiLI9sN5kmdo5scEI-_CwrEOaPG2qxzJuEYoxTZ-MYLLUSekuXQcaktMwHZCrUzGGfBYT4go45p_2aK_6BbsK3xVH3ud7Vb3v77vOtmHoEpoQ4fj1lk6_I/s1600/thewhichwaygame.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the which way game OjO OKIDO" border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1240" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyMrP5mzkoe9KhCk3irAl3jiLI9sN5kmdo5scEI-_CwrEOaPG2qxzJuEYoxTZ-MYLLUSekuXQcaktMwHZCrUzGGfBYT4go45p_2aK_6BbsK3xVH3ud7Vb3v77vOtmHoEpoQ4fj1lk6_I/s640/thewhichwaygame.png" title="" width="640"></a></div><br>
The Which Way? Game was launched on <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ojo/the-which-way-coding-board-game">Kickstarter</a> and was fully funded in 5 hours. The strategy game is aimed at 4-8-year-olds to learn computational thinking skills and even understand how a simple line following robot works.<br>
<a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2019/05/the-which-way-game-kickstarter-by-ojo.html#more"></a>Elbrie de Kockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03715848352301703320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-278826891439861302019-05-10T03:03:00.001-04:002019-05-10T03:03:12.733-04:00BASH Summer Coding Festival Hosted by Tech Age Kids in Southampton, UK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bBy-5bW339h0GoXbwLRgKg8Dfuj-f_kQIreqSggxC7PIDm0C7WWmoF-rFj1spLw0sFGbv0cZyjTsB8uVkMHyRrtRLU-2fm_LYT4Q3G-isdudhbwo6zDTpDBWF_P4xI0S8pxyKtlVQmI/s1600/og.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bBy-5bW339h0GoXbwLRgKg8Dfuj-f_kQIreqSggxC7PIDm0C7WWmoF-rFj1spLw0sFGbv0cZyjTsB8uVkMHyRrtRLU-2fm_LYT4Q3G-isdudhbwo6zDTpDBWF_P4xI0S8pxyKtlVQmI/s640/og.png" width="640"></a></div>
We're really excited to lead the Southampton Hub of the <a href="https://bashfestival.io/">BASH Festival</a>. It's a week-long free summer coding festival for 13-17 year olds being held in the UK for the first time in August 2019.<br>
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BASH Festival is an exciting opportunity for young people interested to pursue a career in the technology industry. Tech Age Kids is hosting the regional hub in Southampton in partnership with Southampton City Council and <a href="https://labs.uk.barclays/locations/southampton">Network Eagle Labs</a>.<br>
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<a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2019/05/bash-summer-coding-festival-2019-southampton-hub.html#more"></a>Elbrie de Kockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03715848352301703320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-36680349577547463872019-05-03T09:14:00.000-04:002019-05-03T09:14:29.688-04:00Get Started with eTextiles - eFashion, Wearable Electronics & Wearable Computers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9ed3nJc9wP5L5-Y1Zfmyp1d-kz7Dy7CAtjLdKcIu8ltt6wjwSvajDzoBnseuyS0F3YGLIVRkAIiF_JaKxO34rH-ea1pQgIxREQTdAjoW62XJCmipb3lJW-PDIX1-KpypytZ0-TaWlFM/s1600/Beispiel_fu%25CC%2588r_LED_Stickerei_%2528e-broidery%25C2%25AE%2529_von_Forster_Rohner_Textile_Innovations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9ed3nJc9wP5L5-Y1Zfmyp1d-kz7Dy7CAtjLdKcIu8ltt6wjwSvajDzoBnseuyS0F3YGLIVRkAIiF_JaKxO34rH-ea1pQgIxREQTdAjoW62XJCmipb3lJW-PDIX1-KpypytZ0-TaWlFM/s640/Beispiel_fu%25CC%2588r_LED_Stickerei_%2528e-broidery%25C2%25AE%2529_von_Forster_Rohner_Textile_Innovations.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br>
eTextiles, wearable technology, and smart fabrics are still very much in its infancy in terms of mainstream use and a general understanding of what it is.<br>
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I recently hosted a workshop to introduce the idea of sewing with electronics. We had a fantastic round table discussion about the future of eTextiles and then made a really simple cuff (fabric bracelet) using a LED, conductive thread and a switch (press-stud) to switch the light on and off.<br>
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I thought it would be interesting to share our discussion as food for thought.<br>
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<a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2019/05/get-started-with-etextiles-wearabletech.html#more"></a>Elbrie de Kockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03715848352301703320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-37152188291055972452019-04-25T09:33:00.002-04:002019-04-25T09:33:29.387-04:00Makeblock launches MotionBlock - A DIY Robotics Kit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.makeblock.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Makeblock-Motionblock.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="762" height="400" src="https://www.makeblock.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Makeblock-Motionblock.png" width="380"></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.techagekids.com/search/label/makeblock" target="_blank">Makeblock </a>is one of our favourite brands here at Tech Age Kids. Their products are good quality and they share our ethos of helping children explore how the technology works and make things with it. <br>
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MotionBlock is their latest product, launched in the US on 16 April, it's a DIY robotics kit with possibilities to explore coding, engineering, and AI-development.<br>
<a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2019/04/makeblock-launches-motionblock-diy.html#more"></a>Elbrie de Kockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03715848352301703320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15639169850959392.post-82210092369204227782019-04-01T12:45:00.002-04:002019-04-01T12:45:23.362-04:00Hacksoton Celebrates 10 years of Hacking in Southampton 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4OBYjTvMxoJYCzZgZtWbBX0vqmCFFmV7p_XuK2ta0jhW1ajvpLB0Dp0jqNQ-QLNvvqKv5boD_SmHpUbHZIPdlpDlzlaw4IU0-Wju_z6JuFZRIfKFzqjanPHC9-7F1jNIDxxCkqQDgzE/s1600/Hacksoton+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4OBYjTvMxoJYCzZgZtWbBX0vqmCFFmV7p_XuK2ta0jhW1ajvpLB0Dp0jqNQ-QLNvvqKv5boD_SmHpUbHZIPdlpDlzlaw4IU0-Wju_z6JuFZRIfKFzqjanPHC9-7F1jNIDxxCkqQDgzE/s640/Hacksoton+2019.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br>
Hacksoton celebrated its tenth year of running a one-day hack event in Southampton. The event is organised by EtchUK and made possible by a plethora of sponsors and volunteers and always proves to be an inspiration from the very young to the very experienced.<br>
<a href="https://www.techagekids.com/2019/04/hacksoton-celebrates-10-years.html#more"></a>Elbrie de Kockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03715848352301703320noreply@blogger.com