Build Android Apps with App Inventor 2

Everybody has a great idea for an app. The problem is, not many of those people have the skills or knowledge required to make that idea a reality. Building an app, regardless of its simplicity or platform, requires certain technical know-how like coding, UX/UI design, and more. App Inventor 2, however, cuts through all of the smoke and allows anyone – even those with no coding experience – to build Android apps from the ground up. This course will teach you how.

Build Apps Without Learning Code.

Gain a practical understanding of programming basics
Navigate and use App Inventor 2 efficiently and effectively
Create and build your own apps for Android
Test and update your apps after you've built them
Learn how to publish your app to Google's Play Store

During the 204 lectures and 17 hours of content contained within this course, you'll learn the basics of programming in a fun and practical way, while creating fully fledged, ready-to-use Android apps. You'll start off with setting up App Inventor 2 and choosing the options you'll need for your future apps. Then you'll get to know the interface and tools before diving straight in and creating not one, not two, but TEN apps. These apps will increase in complexity as you work through them, using features such as the component editor and blocks editor.

When you've built your ten apps you'll also learn how to test, update, and publish them to the Play Store. By the end of this course, you'll be an advanced app builder using App Inventor 2.

Tools Used

App Inventor 2 is an open source web application originally developed by Google and now maintained by MIT. It is aimed at beginner programmers and specially designed to enable them to build Android apps. It turns complicated coding language into visual drag and drop blocks, so there is no need for the user to learn code before building their apps.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Create android applications using app inventor 2.
Understand how to publish created applications to the google play store.
Understand how to update created applications once they have been published to the google play store.

Navigate and use the app inventor 2 interface fluidly, effectively and efficiently.
Understand the basics of programming.

Create android applications using app inventor 2.
Understand how to publish created applications to the google play store.
Understand how to update created applications once they have been published to the google play store.
Navigate and use the app inventor 2 interface fluidly, effectively and efficiently.
Understand the basics of programming.

Syllabus

Students will be given a very brief introduction to the course including how it is structured and what will be gone over. In addition a brief breakdown of App Inventor 2 will be given.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses App Inventor 2, which translates complicated coding language into visual drag-and-drop blocks, removing the need to learn code before building apps

Provides a practical understanding of programming basics while creating fully fledged, ready-to-use Android apps, making it ideal for those new to app development

Covers testing, updating, and publishing apps to the Play Store, which is essential knowledge for anyone looking to distribute their Android applications

Teaches how to navigate and use the App Inventor 2 interface effectively, which is crucial for efficiently building and managing Android applications

Requires a good internet connection and a basic understanding of what an Android app is, which may pose a barrier for some learners with limited resources

Uses App Inventor 2, which is maintained by MIT but may not be as widely used or supported as other modern Android development tools and languages

Reviews summary

Hands-on app building for beginners

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical approach ideal for absolute beginners who want to build Android apps without coding. Students appreciate the step-by-step guidance and the focus on building multiple practical apps throughout the lectures. While some reviews mention the user interface of App Inventor 2 itself can be a bit clunky or outdated, the course content is generally found to be clear, well-explained, and engaging, making the learning process fun and accessible. The course successfully teaches the fundamentals needed to start creating functional apps, although some feel it could delve deeper into more complex concepts or newer platform features.

Generally good, but varies.

"The pace of the course is good, allowing me to grasp each concept before moving on."

"Sometimes the pace felt a little slow, especially in the initial setup parts."

"The course moves at a steady pace, which is perfect for beginners."

"Found the course pace just right for a complete beginner."

Notes on the tool itself.

"App Inventor 2 itself feels a bit dated compared to modern development environments, but the course makes the most of it."

"The platform can be a little clunky at times, but it's effective for visual programming."

"App Inventor 2 is a great tool for kids and beginners, and the course teaches you how to navigate its unique interface."

"It's amazing how much you can do with a visual block editor like App Inventor 2."

Instructor explains concepts well.

"The material is well explained, easy to understand."

"The instructor is great and provides very clear and thorough explanations of the topics."

"I really appreciate the way the course is laid out and the explanation is very clear."

"Every step is well explained and easy to follow even for absolute beginners."

Focuses on building real apps step-by-step.

"The hands on labs and projects in this course are simply amazing! The instructor takes you step by step on creating useful apps."

"The practical projects included throughout the course allow for great hands-on learning."

"Building multiple simple apps is a great way to reinforce the concepts and make learning fun."

"This course was fun and simple to follow and build multiple projects."

Excellent starting point for no-code users.

"This course is for anyone who has little or no background in coding or programming but has a desire to learn app development through a different medium."

"This course gives a great starting point to understand app development logic with the App Inventor 2 platform. I have no coding background."

"As someone who has ZERO coding experience, I really appreciate this course and recommend it to beginners. I will be retaking it soon."

"It's an excellent course for starters, especially those with no coding experience."

Could go deeper on advanced topics.

"While it's a great start, I felt like it didn't quite cover more complex functionalities or modern design practices."

"The course provides a solid foundation but doesn't delve into more advanced features of App Inventor 2."

"Could use more information about publishing to the play store. I thought that part was a little lacking."

"Good for getting started, but you'll need other resources to build truly complex apps or learn monetization strategies."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Build Android Apps with App Inventor 2 - No Coding Required with these activities:

Review Basic Programming Concepts

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Reinforce fundamental programming concepts to better understand the logic behind App Inventor's block-based coding.

Browse courses on Programming Basics

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Review concepts like variables, loops, and conditional statements.
Practice simple coding exercises using pseudocode or a visual programming language.
Watch introductory programming tutorials on YouTube.

Review: "App Inventor 2: Create Your Own Android Apps"

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Supplement the course material with a detailed guide to App Inventor 2, providing additional examples and explanations.

View App Inventor 2: Create Your Own Android Apps on Amazon

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Read the introductory chapters to understand the App Inventor 2 interface and basic concepts.
Work through the example projects in the book to gain hands-on experience.
Refer to the book as a reference when encountering difficulties in the course.

Review: "Learn App Inventor: Programming Your Android Devices"

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Enhance learning with a practical guide that offers alternative explanations and examples for building Android apps with App Inventor.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Browse the book to find examples that complement the course content.
Follow the book's instructions to build a specific app and compare the approach with the course's methods.
Use the book as a reference for troubleshooting and exploring advanced features.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Pair Programming Session

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Collaborate with a peer to build a simple app together, reinforcing understanding through discussion and problem-solving.

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Find a classmate or friend who is also learning App Inventor.
Choose a simple app idea to build together (e.g., a calculator, a simple game).
Take turns coding and reviewing each other's code.
Discuss challenges and solutions together.

Develop a Simple Quiz App

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Apply learned concepts by building a quiz app, reinforcing understanding of components, blocks, and logic.

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Design the user interface with questions, answer options, and a score display.
Implement the logic to check answers, update the score, and navigate between questions.
Test the app thoroughly and debug any issues.
Add features such as a timer or different question types.

Create a Tutorial on a Specific App Inventor Component

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Deepen understanding by creating a tutorial that explains the functionality and usage of a specific App Inventor component.

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Choose a component (e.g., Canvas, Accelerometer, LocationSensor).
Research the component's properties, methods, and events.
Create a step-by-step tutorial with screenshots and explanations.
Share the tutorial on a forum or blog.

Publish an App to the Google Play Store

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Solidify knowledge by publishing a completed app to the Google Play Store, gaining experience with the entire app development lifecycle.

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Refine and test a previously created app to ensure it meets quality standards.
Create a developer account on the Google Play Console.
Prepare app metadata, including title, description, screenshots, and promotional materials.
Upload the app's APK file and submit it for review.
Monitor the app's performance and user feedback after publication.

Career center

Learners who complete Build Android Apps with App Inventor 2 - No Coding Required will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Independent App Developer

Independent app developers create and market their own mobile applications. The primary goal of this course is to allow anyone to learn to build Android Apps, making it suitable for those who wish to be an Independent App Developer. You will learn how to create fully functional apps using App Inventor 2. The course covers everything from setting up the development environment to publishing apps on the Google Play Store. This may provide the skills needed to bring your app ideas to life and launch them independently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Independent App Developer

Mobile Application Developer

A mobile application developer designs and builds applications for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This course provides an excellent starting point for aspiring mobile application developers, as it teaches the fundamentals of app development using App Inventor 2. This platform simplifies the development process by using a visual drag and drop interface, which is suitable for those without prior coding experience. You will learn how to create, test, and publish Android applications, and this may give you the skills to pursue a career as a Mobile Application Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Application Developer

Educational Technology Specialist

An Educational Technology Specialist integrates technology into educational settings to improve teaching and learning. This course could be very helpful because it uses App Inventor 2, a tool specifically designed for beginner programmers. By learning how to use App Inventor 2 to create Android apps, you can introduce app development into classrooms, even for students with no prior coding experience. This may provide an Educational Technology Specialist with a practical and accessible way to engage students in technology and programming.

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Digital Literacy Instructor

A digital literacy instructor teaches individuals how to effectively use digital technologies. The ability to create Android apps without coding, as taught in this course, shows a unique skill that can be shared with others. This course teaches how to use App Inventor 2, a platform that simplifies app development. Digital Literacy Instructors may find that they can then empower others to create their own mobile solutions. This course helps build the skills and knowledge needed to lead digital literacy workshops and training sessions focused on mobile app development.

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Technology Trainer

A technology trainer educates individuals or groups on how to use specific software or hardware. The skills acquired in this course make it very relevant to a career as a Technology Trainer, especially if the training involves mobile app development or App Inventor 2. This course may allow you to develop expertise in App Inventor 2. You may also be able to confidently teach others how to use the platform to create their own Android apps.

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Curriculum Developer

Curriculum developers design and create educational materials, including lesson plans, online courses, and training programs. This course may be useful because it provides a practical introduction to app development using App Inventor 2, a tool designed for beginner programmers. You will gain hands-on experience with creating Android apps and can learn how to create a curriculum that teaches others how to use this platform. This may provide a Curriculum Developer with the skills and knowledge needed to create engaging and accessible learning experiences.

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User Interface Designer

User Interface Designers are responsible for designing the layout and interactive elements of an application or website. This course may be useful because it involves designing the user interface of Android apps using App Inventor 2. As you create multiple applications, you will gain practical experience in designing intuitive and engaging user interfaces. The course's hands-on approach to app creation may provide a User Interface Designer with a foundational understanding of design principles and user experience.

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Software Development Instructor

Software development instructors teach individuals the skills and knowledge needed to develop software applications. This course may be very helpful because it is focused on App Inventor 2. The goal of the platform is to lower the barrier to entry for software development. You will gain expertise in using App Inventor 2 to create Android apps. This background could allow a Software Development Instructor to teach introductory app development courses or workshops.

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Mobile Application Tester

Mobile application testers evaluate the quality and functionality of mobile applications. This course may be helpful because it provides hands-on experience with building and testing Android apps. You will learn how to create apps from scratch, identify potential issues, and update apps after testing. This experience is useful for a Mobile Application Tester, especially if the role involves testing apps built with visual programming tools.

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Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, test, and evaluate software systems and applications. While this role often involves complex coding, this course can be a valuable stepping stone. The course's accessible approach to application development using App Inventor 2 may help you build a foundation in programming logic and problem-solving. It may also give you the opportunity to create fully functional Android apps. This experience is particularly useful for a Software Engineer who wants to learn app development from a new angle.

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Application Support Specialist

Application support specialists provide technical assistance to users of software applications. This course may be helpful, as it provides experience building, testing, and publishing Android applications. You will gain a deeper understanding of how apps function and how to troubleshoot common issues. This background may allow an Application Support Specialist to better assist users with Android apps, especially those built using App Inventor 2.

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Technology Consultant

Technology consultants advise businesses and organizations on how to best use technology to achieve their goals. This course may be useful because it teaches how to build Android apps without coding. You will gain hands-on experience with app development using App Inventor 2. A Technology Consultant with this background may be able to help businesses develop mobile solutions for their specific needs, even without requiring extensive coding expertise.

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Web Developer

Web developers create and maintain websites, often working with both the front-end (user interface) and back-end (server-side) aspects of web development. While this course focuses on Android app development, the fundamental programming concepts learned through App Inventor 2 may transfer to web development. The course's emphasis on visual programming and app creation may benefit a Web Developer and may help them see the parallels between app and web interfaces.

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Product Owner

Product owners define and manage the development of a product, often a software application. This course may be useful as it provides a practical understanding of the app development process using App Inventor 2. The course may allow you to gain experience with creating Android apps, testing them, and publishing them on the Google Play Store. This experience is transferrable to a Product Owner.

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Mobile Solutions Architect

Mobile Solutions Architects design and oversee the development of mobile solutions for businesses and other organizations. While this role often requires advanced technical knowledge, this course can provide a good starting point. By learning how to build Android apps without coding, you will gain fundamental understanding of the mobile app development process. Mobile Solutions Architects may find that this is the perfect way to start learning about app development.

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Build Android Apps with App Inventor 2 - No Coding Required

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Hands-on app building for beginners

Activities

Career center

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