Meet our newest Featured Maker, 13-year-old Kael from New Zealand! Kael likes drawing and playing video games. Amazing! Kael recently spoke with us about his experience coding with Tynker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did you get introduced to Tynker and how long have you been coding?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I found it looking for coding and video game making sites and found Tynker. I have been using it for around 4-5 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How did you learn how to use Tynker when you were first starting out? What are your favorite Tynker courses or tutorials?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I tried some of the coding puzzles like Puppy Adventure and Code Commander. Then I started experimenting in the project builder. My favorite coding puzzle was Code Commander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I think they have improved quite a lot. It\u2019s helped me to understand coding in other design programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is your favorite project you\u2019ve made so far? What do you like about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My favorite project is probably Mario Versus the Blocksteppers, a game inspired by the Super Mario series. It was a lot of fun to make and is very fun to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you get inspiration for your projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am inspired by the Video Games I play, as well as other Tynker Projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why do you like to code?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I like to code because I have always been interested in game design, and using Tynker, I can make interesting games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is your favorite way to use code? Do you have a favorite code block?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I use the \u2018broadcast\u2019 and \u2018receive\u2019 blocks a lot, because It lets me link things together and it is very useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you do with a project when you\u2019re done with it? Do you debug it? Show it to someone? Publish it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When I finish a Project, I usually play it many times, add a few extra features and then publish it. I often like to share it with my brothers once it\u2019s published.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are you planning to make next?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I have around 5 projects being worked on right now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s the best thing about Tynker?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact that I can create short games and animations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because I want to be a game developer, coding is an important skill to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you think other kids should try coding? Why\u2019s that?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Other kids should try coding because it is fun to make things and others should be able to enjoy that too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Try looking at the code of other makers’ projects to help you learn how to make interesting code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s a fun fact about you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m a huge fan of Nintendo. Zelda, Mario, Kirby, the history of the company… I could talk about Nintendo all day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you feel about Kael learning to code? How does it feel to see the coding projects Kael is making?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We love to see Kael having fun with coding. He\u2019s so passionate about game development and his coding projects are an avenue for Kael to share his passion and creativity with the family. We all enjoy checking out his creations and having him explain his process to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What benefits do you think coding has for your child? What skills (besides the technical skill of coding) does it help them learn?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Coding helps Kael to express himself creatively. It helps him to explore his love of character development and game design, which brings together so many skills such as writing, designing, maths, communication skills etc. Kael is encouraged to problem solve and try new techniques with his coding and it boosts his confidence as he can then share his achievements, with friends and family, as well as the Tynker community.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe spoke with Kael’s parents about Kael learning to code<\/h2>\n\n\n\n