Hour of Code
Computer Science Education Week 2021: December 6-12.
Whenever you have time! -- Teacher How-To Page
What Is Computer Science?
Computer Science, abbreviated "CS", is the art of blending human ideas and digital tools. Computer science teaches problem solving and important skills like communication, collaboration, and design. There are tremendous career opportunities, and computer science is relevant to all career pathways.
CS education encompasses "the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society."
Computer scientists work in so many different areas: writing apps for phones, curing diseases, creating animated movies, working on social media, building robots that explore other planets and so much more.
Creativity is a key component of CS, with computer scientists creating things that have never existed before. Watch these videos to get inspired!
Coding can be a gift to struggling students, let's give it to them.
Select a curated activity from:
the grade level pages linked at the top
a more comprehensive list from Mr. Clark
choose one of the 20 ways to celebrate the Hour of Code
explore all the activities at Code.org.
7 Benefits of Learning Computer Coding
Improves students' critical thinking
Approaching a problem with the goal of making a computer solve a problem by decomposition in order to code it is similar to learning by teaching others.
Fosters creativity in students
The sky's the limit to what students can create with code.
Builds confidence in problem solving
Utilizing critical thinking and tackling challenging problems with code allows students to cope with other situations or problems.
Improves academic performance
Focusing, planning and organizing are central to coding and good habits for students to bring to all courses.
Resilience in setbacks
Coding is exacting, and it is easy make mistakes and to then quickly fix the mistakes so that the program runs. This shows students that failure is temporary and that determination and persistence is key to success.
Decision-making skills
Coding has students think and conclude things quickly and these skills translate to life.
Communication
Math Skills
abstraction and variables and coordinate system (display on a screen) + logic & relational
Careers opportunities
In addition to the many computer science specific careers, knowing how to code will allow students more success in our digital world.
- https://eutoday.net/news/business-economy/2021/7-benefits-of-learning-computer-coding-for-kids
- https://www.codemonkey.com/blog/10-benefits-for-kids-and-teens-to-learn-coding/
- https://teachyourkidscode.com/benefits-of-coding-beyond-the-computer/mportant-to-learn/
- https://www.raisesmartkid.com/6-to-10-years-old/5-articles/benefits-learning-code-kids
Go Beyond an Hour of Code in GUSD
Students have the option to take computer science in high school. If they are interested in computer science, they can sign up for the Computer Science Academy at Christopher High School. Applications to the academy will be sent out to 8th graders when counselors visit and when students select their elective.