VSCodium for middle school coding: A free, open source way to teach Python

How this VS Code alternative helps students learn Python, HTML, and Markdown, without licensing hurdles or cost barriers.

I regularly teach middle school students coding with Python using the turtle module. It’s a fun way to introduce programming while also exploring math topics like variability, recursion, and logic. Students love seeing the turtle graphics they create, and it makes learning interactive and enjoyable.

When I first started these classes, I used IDLE, which comes with Python. In 2018, I discovered Code with Mu at PyCon. It’s an excellent editor with a linter that helps students spot mistakes in their code. Wanting to challenge my students further, I took a course that used Visual Studio Code (VS Code). I experimented with VS Code myself and decided it could help my students expand their skills.

Read more: Create vector graphics using this open source Python module

From Python to HTML and Markdown

Many of my students were also interested in creating web pages. I wanted a way for them to learn Markdown and HTML alongside Python in the same environment. A fellow open source enthusiast suggested VSCodium, describing it as “a community-driven, freely-licensed binary distribution of Microsoft’s VS Code.” Unlike VS Code, VSCodium is released under the MIT license and removes telemetry and licensing limitations.

VSCodium is cross-platform and easy to install on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It offers extensive customization, including extensions, themes, and keybindings, allowing both teachers and students to tailor the editor to their needs. Its cross-platform support also ensures a consistent programming environment, even when students and teachers use different operating systems.

A world-class dev environment for free

Perhaps most importantly, VSCodium is entirely free and open source. For students and families with limited resources, being able to access a world-class development environment without cost is invaluable. It levels the playing field, giving every student the chance to learn and explore programming in a professional-grade environment.

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This article is adapted from “VSCodium to Middle School Coding: A Free, Open Source Alternative for Teaching Python and More” by Don Watkins, and is republished with permission from the author.