App Inventor is a web application that was originally developed by Google and is currently maintained by the MIT, it allows its user develop applications for Android phones using their web browser, the user doesn’t need to know any programming language to use it as it relies on simply dragging and dropping your app algorithm/logic. The App Inventor servers store the user’s work and help them keep track of their projects.

Learning App Inventor is very helpful for anyone willing to start app/games development and doesn’t have any prior knowledge to programming, it’s also very helpful for teachers who want to create simple educational apps. Finally, it’s a great tool to get kids into programming through understanding the logic through which an app logic works.

The aim of this post is to present and compare between free online sources that beginners can rely on to start learning App Inventor, the sources stated here are full-structured courses that beginners can easily start from and follow along.

If you just want the bottom line (the road map to learn App Inventor) and you don’t wish to read the entire article then go to the “Bottom Line” section at the end of the article.

Getting Started with App Inventor from Scratch

Open Learning

Open Learning is the first free online outlet where beginners can start learning App Inventor through video, you’ve to register in order to have access to the course.

Structure: The training is divided into 16 modules, each module is a lesson / lessons, each of these lessons covers certain topics in App Inventor. Each module also has the material used in it so you can follow along with the instructor.

Interface: The interface isn’t the the simplest out there, you first select the model you’re interested in and then the list of available lessons will appear. Select the lesson you’re interested in and you’ll be directed to the  page where the video lesson resides.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training is well-structured and organized for beginners.
3. The training material is available for download, so beginners can easily follow along.
4. There are examples for creating functional apps so it’s not just a tutorial about how to use the application without any practical applications.

Cons

1. The only drawback is that the interface might be overwhelming for some beginners.

Verdict: This is the best online outlet where beginners can start learning App Inventor.

MIT Website

MIT App Inventor Website is the second free online outlet where beginners can start learning App Inventor through video tutorials, it’s worth noting that you can also download the lesson as a PDF. You don’t have to register to have access to the training.

Structure: This is more of a learn by doing training, beginners will learn the basics of App Inventor through the creation of four applications, and that is accomlished through following four video lessons.

Interface: The interface is very simple, just click on the video lesson you’re interested in and the video will start right away, you can also download the lesson as a PDF through clicking the link below the video lesson.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training familiarize beginners with the basics of App Inventor in order to start using it.

Cons

1. The training covers only the very basics of the application and it’s more suitable for having an overview about the software.

Verdict: This is a good outlet for beginners to have an overview about App Inventor.

App Inventor Website

App Inventor Website is the third free online outlet where beginners can start learning App Inventor through video as well as text tutorials, you don’t have to register to have access to the training.

Structure: The training is divided into modules, each module has a video/videos and text that covers the topic/topics covered by the module. Each module also has quiz/quizzes that tests your understanding for the lessons covered in the module.

Interface: The interface is simple, just click on the module you’re interested in and the module material available will appear for you.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training is well-structured for beginners.

Cons

1. The training isn’t well-organized.

Verdict: This is an excellent outlet for beginners to start learning App Inventor.

Imagnity

Imagnity is the fourth free online outlet where beginners can start learning App Inventor through a text based tutorial, you don’t have to register to have access to the training.

Structure: The training is divided into 16 lessons, each lesson covers a certain topic in App Inventor.

Interface; the interface is simple, just click on the lesson you’re interested in and you’ll be directed to the page where the lesson resides.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training is well-organized for beginners.

Cons

1. The training isn’t well-structured for beginners.

Verdict: This is a very good outlet for beginners to start learning App Inventor online through a text based tutorial.

Bottom Line

The recipe for learning App Inventor:

1. Open Learning is the best outlet for beginners to start learning App Inventor through video tutorial.
2. Imagnity is the best outlet for beginners to start learning App Inventor through an a text based tutorial.

Remember that the first step is always the toughest step, and the aim of this post is to provide you with resources that will help you take your first step in learning App Inventor.