Google Launches Google Grasshopper App : Learn to Code JavaScript for Free
Tech giant Google is expanding its list of products further as it has stepped into the field of JavaScript teaching. Recently, Google launched Google Grasshopper App – a free coding app that teaches JavaScript coding to commoners. This app is the innovation of Area 120, a Google workshop initiative that works with experimental projects. Considering the interest of both children and adults in coding, this app has been introduced for easy coding learning. Even for the people who left coding for scarcity of time, this app opens a new way to reignite their passion. In this post, we will learn more about Google Grasshopper App and how to use it to learn JavaScript coding skills.
Why Learn JavaScript Coding
Most of us have the notion that coding is the work of software engineers and programmers, but that is not the case. The area of coding has spread in such a way that in near future, almost all jobs will require a bit of coding knowledge. Even in 2018, the top job skills required across USA and rest of the world include coding. Before it becomes a necessary job skill and you remain completely ignorant of the essential coding concepts, it is better to start learning it immediately. Google Grasshopper App gives you the opportunity to learn JavaScript coding for free, and that too from your smartphone.
What is Google Grasshopper
Google Grasshopper can be compared to another Google app “Duolingo,” which is used for learning different languages of the world. Grasshopper is an educational app that teaches coding through bite-sized puzzles. It also teaches fundamental concepts of coding beforehand so that the users can understand the quizzes and solve the puzzles successfully. This app arrived in the app market only a week ago. If you are one of the coding enthusiasts but never had the chance to learn to code, this app is perfect for you. Both Android and iOS users can learn JavaScript coding using Google Grasshopper App. Users can download the app for free and it does not contain any in-app purchase or advertisement till now.
How to Use Google Grasshopper App
Area 120 has developed this application keeping in mind its potential users. It is obvious that no tech geek or engineer will use this application to learn to code. The main aim of this app is to teach coding to the laymen who have much interest in coding but no knowledge of it. The best way to retain this interest is to make the app enjoyable. However, people who have some idea about JavaScript can also use this app. Google Grasshopper contains small quizzes and puzzles through which users can learn JavaScript coding at their spare time.
After downloading Google Grasshopper App from Google Play Store or Apple App Store, log in by using your Google account credentials. At first, Grasshopper will teach you some of the JavaScript basics and then give you some exercise to perform. The fundamentals of coding comprise of calling functions, strings, variables, etc. Every lesson is followed by related puzzles and eventually the lessons cover more complex concepts like animation and D3 library.
To prevent users from forgetting the old lessons while learning the new ones, the app offers reminder and scheduled practices. These practice sessions can be scheduled daily or twice a week, as per the users’ choice. Like most of the gaming apps, it also has an achievement section. In this section, number of unlocked concepts, number of used JavaScript keys, and length of current coding streak get logged. Users are also awarded with virtual trophies as they unlock each level of Google Grasshopper.
Area 120 confirmed that they will only teach JavaScript through Grasshopper, as this is used by 70% of the professional developers today. However, the curriculum of Grasshopper will expand in coming days with additional lessons. Google Grasshopper App may not make you a coding expert overnight, but it will surely help you learn JavaScript coding basics in a fun way. As this is a smartphone-based app, the learning process can be performed, irrespective of time and place. While children can get rid of the fear of coding by using this app, adults can check their coding skill and take decisions about their possible career choice.