Keywords: AI Programming, Middle School Programming Platforms, Visual Programming, Children’s Programming, Programming EnlightenmentAbstract: Is it difficult to start programming? What are the differences between various AI platforms? This article compares three commonly used AI programming platforms for middle school students, focusing on beginner-friendliness, functional modules, learning paths, and teacher resources, providing tailored recommendations for beginners. It is particularly suitable for information technology teachers in primary and secondary schools, extracurricular activity organizers, and parents looking to choose a platform for their children. At the end of the article, suggestions for designing AI programming courses are included to assist schools in effectively conducting programming education.
Introduction: In the AI Era, Will “Not Knowing How to Program” Become the “New Illiteracy”?
From the “Future Skills 2030” report to the trial programming exams across various regions, programming is transitioning from a “niche interest” to a “universal skill.” Especially against the backdrop of rapid advancements in AI and automation technologies, knowing how to program is no longer just for coders; it has become a part of every student’s “digital expression ability.”
But the question arises—Where should we start? Is Scratch too childish? Is Python too complex? Are there no teachers at school? Do parents not understand? Thus, AI programming platforms have emerged. They promise that you can create games, control robots, and understand algorithmic logic visually without needing to know how to code.
Today, we will compare three common AI programming platforms for middle school students:
📦 Platform A: Learn by Doing (National-level Curriculum Cooperation Platform)💡 Platform B: Walnut Programming (Largest user base, mature course system)🧠 Platform C: Tencent Coding (Backed by a major company, deep AI integration)
1. Feature Overview: Core Comparison Table of Three Platforms
| Dimension | Learn by Doing | Walnut Programming | Tencent Coding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target Age Group | Grade 4 to High School | Grade 3 to Junior High | Grade 5 to Grade 10 |
| Supported Programming Languages | Scratch, Python, C Language | Mainly Scratch, transitioning to Python | Scratch 3.0 + AI Modules + Python |
| Teaching Method | Course Packages + Live Tutoring + Project-Based | AI Teacher Interaction + Recorded Micro-Lessons | AI Scenario Tasks + Online Assessment |
| AI Feature Modules | Face Recognition, Voice Control | Image Recognition, Maze AI Path Analysis | Emotion Recognition, AI Drawing, Natural Language Recognition |
| Hardware Support (Optional) | micro:bit, Arduino | No (purely online) | Tencent Open Source AI Robot (additional purchase required) |
2. Student Beginner Experience: Is It “Easy to Get Started”?
🎓 Feedback from First-Year Students (Sample Size: 72, using platforms for 1 week)
| Evaluation Dimension | Learn by Doing | Walnut Programming | Tencent Coding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Difficulty (Lower is Better) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Student Interest Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.4/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Average Time to Complete First Project | 3 days | 2 days | 5 days |
| Frequency of AI Module Usage | Medium | Low | High |
Comments:
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Walnut Programming excels in its fast-paced course rhythm and timely feedback, suitable for students who are “zero-based and not afraid of being slow”;
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Learn by Doing’s project-based approach is challenging, more suitable for hands-on students who enjoy “tinkering”;
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Tencent Coding requires a certain level of logical foundation; while the AI modules are cool, the entry barrier is slightly higher.
3. Teaching Resources and Teacher Support: Is It Suitable for Schools?
📚 Comparison of Teaching Resources (from the perspective of junior high school information technology teachers)
| Item | Learn by Doing | Walnut Programming | Tencent Coding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does it provide teacher accounts? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lesson Plans + PPT + Assignment Design | ✅ (Full set available for download) | ✅ (requires certified teachers) | ✅ (requires application to join the program) |
| Teacher Training and Community Support | Official group + regional training | WeChat group + video training | Tencent Cloud Course Group + Instructor Q&A |
| Does it support collective deployment in schools? | ✅ | ❌ (mainly for C-end) | ✅ |
Teacher Feedback Summary:
“Learn by Doing is the most like a complete teaching system, with ready-made courseware, exercises, and evaluations;”“Walnut Programming feels more like a platform for students to practice independently, teachers need to spend time adapting it for classroom use;”“Coding is very advanced, the AI modules are fun, but require school technical support.”
4. Real Teaching Cases: How to Teach AI Programming?
📍 Case 1: AI Mini Program Design at a Junior High School in Changsha, Hunan
**Platform Used:** Tencent Coding**Theme:** Creating an “Emotion Recognition Emoji” program using the AI drawing module**Goal:** Understanding image recognition and branching structures**Student Work:** Automatically generating “happy/angry/question” GIFs after the camera detects expressions
Teacher Reflection:
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Student engagement was extremely high, but teachers need to be trained in platform operation in advance;
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Teaching time must be reserved for debugging and discussion;
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It is suitable to set as a school-based topic/elective module, not recommended for direct integration into main classes.
5. Platform Usage Recommendations: How Should You Choose?
🎯 For Beginner Families:
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Recommendation: Walnut Programming
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Reason: Clear learning path, children can get started independently, suitable for families without teaching resources;
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Friendly Reminder: Regularly supervise completion, or it may be abandoned once the novelty wears off.
🎯 For School Collective Teaching:
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Recommendation: Learn by Doing
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Reason: Comprehensive resources, stable platform, easy to grade assignments;
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Friendly Reminder: Chapters need to be pre-selected to match the rhythm of information technology classes.
🎯 For Expanding AI Capabilities/Technology Clubs:
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Recommendation: Tencent Coding
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Reason: Rich AI modules, can be combined with robotics;
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Friendly Reminder: Suitable for students with a foundation and some project-based learning ability.
6. Teacher Design Suggestions: “Start from Projects, Not from Code”
Teacher Li (National Information Technology Education Expert) provides the following teaching suggestions:
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Design teaching around “projects”, such as “creating a waste classification mini program” or “using AI for face recognition attendance”;
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Guide students to “articulate logic”, drawing flowcharts or narrating logical frameworks before writing code;
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Use AI modules to attract student interest, but avoid “show-off teaching”;
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Build a platform for showcasing student works, selecting the “best programming work” each month to enhance a sense of achievement.
Conclusion: The Platform is the Starting Point; the Key is to “Learn Programming with Questions”
Programming is not just about producing programmers; it isto enable children to learn to think, express, and solve problems.
AI programming platforms vary widely, but those that can truly stimulate students’ sustained interest are the ones that—**allow them to “create things,” provide “feedback” on their creations, and can be “recognized”**.
Education is not about product upgrades, but cognitive upgrades. The platform is just a vessel; teachers are the helmsmen, and students are the “digital citizens ready to set sail”.