November 1, 2022

This week we worked on understanding coding and how we can use it in classrooms. I have seen coding in action with primary students but to be honest coding is very foreign to me. I have heard coding referred to as another language and I can completely agree. It took some time to become familiar with how some of the programs worked. I would need more time to feel confident working with coding. Although I struggled with understanding, I believe coding would be very important to bring to the classroom. I like that there were many levels of coding available. I also think it is important to introduce coding to primary students so they can build on their learning.

Coding is a how we give a computer instructions to preform a task. These instructions are communicated using a language computers can understand, an example is visual blocks. This is what I worked on within the programs that were presented in class. Coding can also be referred to as software programing or computer programing.

Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, this was intended to for students to learn the basics, and create a large participation in computer science. This program has created large interest in coding, there are now more learning opportunities and resources available for teachers and students. For resources and tutorials visit Learn Code.

According to the BC Ministry of Education there are many ways coding could be included into the curriculum. Some examples from k-3 would be:

Ideating
• Identify needs and opportunities for designing, through exploration

Making
• Use trial and error to make changes, solve problems, or incorporate new ideas from self or others

Sharing
• Decide on how and with whom to share their product
• Reflect on their ability to work effectively both as individuals and collaboratively in a group

Scratch is free online community where you can create stories, play games and animate through coding. It is created for children and can be used as an educational tool. It uses block based visual programing language.

If you would like to view what I was able to code please click on my name Jenn. If I had more time I feel I would have been able to create more with this. I found that it would be a great way to introduce students to computer programing.