The latest incarnation of the App Inventor toolset can turn novices into programmers in no time.
For more in-depth, whole-class instruction, you may do well to follow the site's directions to the web's other resources, listed on their Resource page. Resources also include Concept Cards and Maker Cards, which can be printed out to get students started. The site also includes some resources for teachers, including a special Educator's Forum along with instructions on setting up your classroom. It was set up as part of the Hour of Code effort, so it can make a great intro for students. Nevertheless, if your classes are just starting, send them to the MIT App Inventor site first, after you've familiarized yourself with how it works and all that it offers. However, when it comes time to teach this material to your students, the site generally points to other online resources, such as, which provide better options for classroom instruction and materials. If you're new to programming, the quick and easy tutorials will walk you through the basics. The MIT App Inventor site works best as a portal for getting teachers started.
