Apple has announced that it is expanding its Everyone Can Code program to mark Computer Science Education Week. The Cupertino firm will be providing more resources for learning Swift, offering thousands of free Hour of Code sessions at its stores during the first two weeks of December.
For the sixth year, Apple will host Hour of Code sessions via Today at Apple from December 1 to December 14, with the aim of teaching people at a variety of skill levels how to code. The Kids Hour sessions will teach children aged six to 12 about coding using robots, while participants aged 12 and up can attend sessions centered around Swift Playgrounds on the iPad.
Apple has also released a new Hour of Code Facilitator Guide for educators, designed to aid teachers conduct classroom sessions using Swift Playgrounds and other iPad apps.
A Swift Coding Club kit offers resources for teachers, students, and other mentors who wish to start their own group up outside of the classroom. The kit provides students with guides to allow them to collaborate, prototype apps, and to discover how coding can help their communities.
Apple says the App Development with Swift curriculum gives high school and college students the critical skills they need to qualify for high-demand and high-skill jobs. In the next school year, Apple will release a free AP Computer Science Principles course syllabus and curriculum, giving high school students the opportunity to earn Advanced Placement (AP) credit for learning App Development with Swift.
Students can earn a certification for their Swift studies, via the App Development with Swift Level 1 certification exams offered through Certiport Authorized Testing Centers.
Today more than 5,000 schools, community colleges and technical colleges worldwide are using Everyone Can Code curriculum.
