Microsoft brings kids developer tool to the PC
Summary
Matt MacLaurin created Boku, an all new programming language that could be run on an Xbox using only the console's controller to craft basic logic. Now it hits the PC.
Topics
Microsoft researcher Matt MacLaurin came up for the idea for Kodu in his kitchen in the fall of 2006, noticing the way his three-year-old daughter watched her mom browse away on Facebook. MacLaurin saw how different computing is now than when he was a kid.
So he set about creating a new developer language that would appeal to the current generation of kids. He settled on one that would work with just a game controller, using basic rules to do things like move an apple across the screen.
A few months later, the idea was working code. MacLaurin had created Boku, an all new programming language that could be run on an Xbox using only the console's controller to craft basic logic. MacLaurin showed it at the 2007 TechFest internal science fair and later that year at an emerging technology conference.
Now, Microsoft is bringing Kodu to the PC.
For more, read "Microsoft brings kids developer tool to the PC" on CNET News.
Talkback Most Recent of 6 Talkback(s)
-
Microsoft brings kids developer tool to the PC
I bet we won't see this mentioned on the ed tech blog because its from Microsoft and not from Google or linux.
Loverock Davidson14th Jan 2010 -
Wait
Where does it mention Linux or Google?
Oh I get it. This rule of only commenting on what is contained in the story only applies when you don't want to answer a question or because by doing so it will be evident that you don't know what you are talking about.
That aside, this sounds like a good idea. I'm surprised you were not gushing with praise.
Viva la crank dodo14th Jan 2010 -
A nice break from the regular news .
Ah, a break from the regular humdrum of stuffy corporate
news
.
An interesting product, and worth a look.
CobraA114th Jan 2010 -
RE: Microsoft brings kids developer tool to the PC
Very cool. I'm always happy to see products that are geared at getting kids interested in programming..no matter who makes them.
tehremo14th Jan 2010 -
Pointless as a pet rock.
And exactly HOW MANY CHILDREN WILL MAKE A PC GAME???? Most kids could not care less how a PC works inside, just Twitter and Facebook, along with other retarded fads. Yes, I know Twitter and Facebook are powered by Linux, but it's still a bunch of crap.
bendib14th Jan 2010 -
Geeksville to normalville. I likey.
Sounds interesting to me. It's about time that people stopped looking at coding as some arcane thing done in poorly lit basements by scrawny guys in glasses. It's just another kind of language, and kids are really great at learning languages, be they pictures or otherwise. I'd bet that if the project actually works (I do have my issues with MS's often nonexistent bugtesting), we'll see some smart cookie kiddos come out of it.
nupiro15th Jan 2010
Talkback - Tell Us What You Think
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
Facebook Activity
