Coding in the Classroom

What is Coding? Coding is telling a computer what you want it to do, which involves typing in step-by step commands for the computer to follow.

Why should we teach coding? We live in a digital world. Things such as our smartphone , calculator and even our microwave rely on code to operate. “We need to teach our students to become fluent with technology. Coding isn’t just for computer whizzes, it’s for everyone.” Mitch Resnick of MIT Media Lab

What can coding do for kids? Coding can teach problem solving skills, thinking skills, and digital skills to improve the future of our students.

Additional Information: hourofcode.com/us Where should we start? Hour of Code A one hour introduction to computer science to show students that anyone can learn the basics of coding. Tutorials walk students through the beginning stages of coding. All students can participate. When: December 8-12, 2014 Additional Information: hourofcode.com/us

Coding Resources Scratch http://scratch.mit.edu/ Scratch Jr. (app) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scratchjr/id895485086?ls=1&mt=8 Tynker http://www.tynker.com/ Hopscotch (app) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hopscotch-programming-designed/id617098629?mt=8

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” -Abraham Lincoln

References Coding in the classroom: What is Coding and Why is it so Important? By: Anthony Cuthbertson http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/coding-classroom-what-coding-why-it-so-important-1463157 Teach Coding as Early as Possible By: Hadi Partovi http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/05/12/teaching-code-in-the-classroom/teach-coding-as-early-as-possible Let’s Teach Kids to Code By: Mitch Resnick http://www.ted.com/talks/mitch_resnick_let_s_teach_kids_to_code?language=en Code.Org http://hourofcode.com/us Teach Kids How to Code and You Give Them a Skill for Life By: Nick Morrison http://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorrison/2013/12/27/teach-kids-how-to-code-and-you-give-them-a-skill-for-life/