INTRO
Over the past decade learning code in the classroom has come to the forefront due to advancements in technology, availability of products and overall interest. Coding is what makes it possible for humans to create computer software, apps, and websites. Browsers, operating systems, apps on phones, Facebook and this blog are ALL made with code!
A computer can only understand two distinct types of data: on and off. In fact, a computer is really just a collection of on/off switches (transistors). Anything that a computer can do is nothing more than a unique combination of some transistors turned on and some transistors turned off.
To be able to write a computer program by typing out billions of 1s and 0s would require superhuman brainpower, and even then it would probably take you a lifetime or two to write.
This is where programming languages come in. Thousands of different programming languages make it possible for us to create computer software, apps, and websites. Instead of writing binary code, they let us write code that is (relatively) easy for us to write, read and understand. Each language is used for different purposes comes with a special program that takes care of translating what we write into binary code.
If you don’t know a thing about coding, check out the various resources below. You can start at any point, just because the resource is in one section doesn’t mean it cannot be used with other grade levels!
Hour of Code – videos, tutorials, and lessons to get you started
UNPLUGGED
BEGINNER CODERS
INTERMEDIATE CODERS
ADVANCED CODERS