Coding is writing computer programs to achieve a goal or perform a task. When coding, you have to use a programming language like Python or JavaScript to translate your ideas into phrases, syntax, and words the computer understands. The instructions you give to the computer are known as commands.
Using resources like mazes and monsters, you can teach code to students.
Mazes provide students with a problem; create a maze from a starting block in the top left down to the finishing block on the bottom right. Usually, a rat is placed in the maze and must follow the created path from start to finish, but the rat can only move forward and down. Code.org has a version of this coding practice.
Monsters are often the teachers of online coding. The site CodeMonster utilizes a friendly monster to teach coding in a non-threatening manner.
The following are benefits of learning coding:
Students in middle school taking coding lessons need to have basic skills and knowledge in the following areas:
Educators of all subjects can integrate coding projects into their curriculum to demonstrate mastery of the subject. Coding projects offer a great opportunity for learners as they must critically think, problem-solve, and utilize logic.
Most coding lessons should last about one hour. Many online programs are created to last one hour before students can advance to the next lesson. Depending on your school and chosen extra-curricular opportunities, students could perform coding in a Coding Class or an after-school program. The desired length of classes can follow a quarter, semester, or year-long program.
You can teach coding to middle school students as a tool for navigating the digital world. Coding helps them use their experiences, values in learning, and existing knowledge to create and explore.
Make use of the following apps when teaching coding:
Introduce your students to coding by beginning your course with the Hour of Code. "The Hour of Code [is] a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code," to show that anybody can learn the basics." The use of basic teaching tools like Hour of Code can help you gauge your student's coding knowledge. From there, you can begin to introduce more advanced coding programs.
Many of the suggested lessons provide diagnostics for educators to track and watch the growth of student understanding.
Coding for middle school students is beneficial for enhancing the quality of education. Learners can use the skills from coding in other parts of their education and enter their career fields with confidence and a love of coding.
Written by Roselyn Kati
Education World Contributor
Copyright© 2022 Education World