Review by Amanda Bindel, Common Sense Education | Updated March 2018
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Tickle

Get it now
  • Download from App Store

Robots, Arduinos, and drones -- the block coding app to rule them all

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • Math
  • Science
Skills
  • Critical Thinking
Grades This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.
2–12
Great for:
Common Sense says (See details)
Teachers say (4 Reviews)
Privacy (See details)
Use with Caution Full evaluation
Price:  Free, Paid Additional characters and challenges are offered as in-app purchases.
Platforms:  iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Take a look inside

5 images
Drag blocks of code to create programs. Students can select from many robots and other devices.
Use Tickle without robotics, too, through 3D and AR programming.
Teachers can access lesson plans to help them guide their students.
Purchase additional characters and challenges in the in-app store.
Students ready for additional challenges can tackle the JavaScript code directly.

Pros: Hands-on programming experience for robotics, drones, AR.

Cons: Teachers will need to allow time for recharging and reconnecting devices.

Bottom Line: Impressive tool for introducing block coding and robotics on a ton of devices.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Tickle's in-app store is stocked with lessons and unit plans, and the website and social media platform highlight ways teachers have used Tickle in their classes, from solving equations using number lines to geometry lessons. Since Tickle can work with a variety of devices, it's quite adaptable. And if robotic devices aren't available for all students, students can program 3D or augmented-reality (AR) games.

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Put this tool into practice:
Standards:

Rather than controlling only one robot or device, Tickle lets students control a variety of robots, drones, Arduino boards, and other smart devices. Navigation includes Projects, where students can see demo programs, alter them, or create new ones; Courses, which takes students out of the app and online to view even more demos and lessons; and Devices, which highlights the Star Wars BB-8 robot, several droids, Arduino Bean, Dash & Dot robots, Sphero, and more.

To create the programs, students drag visual blocks of code into place, linking them to create the program. If they don't have a device, they can still program in-app games using 3D or augmented reality (AR). 

Dragging blocks of code into place and customizing bit and pieces -- such as colors, directionality, and sounds -- is the standard for teaching basic coding, and that's just the way Tickle does it. The interface isn't all that unique, but the implementation sets it apart, allowing students to see that code runs all kinds of devices and tools.

The process is scaffolded so that every student can be successful. A program is already loaded when students open the app, and a hand guides them through the features. They're then left with the program in place to play around and make any changes. Once they're ready for more of a challenge, students can start their own programs from scratch. Self-assessment is built in as the programs run: Students will inevitably hit a snag where the program stops or doesn't perform as expected, and then they'll have to re-evaluate, redo, and try again.

Overall Rating
Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

The format is similar to other programming apps that use code blocks, but the range of devices that students can control with Tickle -- and the ability to use it for AR or 3D gaming -- set it apart.

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Students can change preloaded programs to scaffold their learning experience or start from scratch once they know what they're doing.

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

Lessons and units of lessons are available in the in-app store. The educator community gives teachers the opportunity to share ideas and try out new features.

Common Sense Reviewer
Amanda Bindel Classroom teacher
About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Key Standards Supported

Measurement And Data

  • 4.MD.5

    Recognize angles as geometric shapes that are formed wherever two rays share a common endpoint, and understand concepts of angle measurement:

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Key Standards Supported

Engineering Design

  • 3-5-ETS1-1

    Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

  • 3-5-ETS1-2

    Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

  • 3-5-ETS1-3

    Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

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Teacher Reviews

(See all 4 reviews) (4 reviews) Write a review
Featured review by
Lauren S. , Media specialist/librarian
Media specialist/librarian
Middletown - North High School
Middletown, United States
Visual Coding App for Robots, Drones, and More
Tickle is a visually appealing app that assists students learn principles of coding while also allowing for student movement and manipulation of objects with many options for curriculum tie-in. Younger students will need assistance syncing devices through Bluetooth connection to run the programs.
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