What do we learn when we learn to code? Of course we learn to code! But beyond the obvious answer are many invaluable skills and attitudes that apply to infinite contexts: creative problem solving, collaboration, iteration, logic, and persistence. Hands-on, heads-on coding activities help learners become better thinkers regardless of their chosen path in life.

Over the course of six weeks, participants will code a paddle-and-ball game from start to finish. Participants will code their games independently using online videos. The games and the code provide a context for better understanding how learners develop computational thinking skills and attitudes through hands-on application. The live meetings will offer help with coding and additional Scratch instruction. The conversation will focus on how teachers can bring Scratch into their classrooms in ways that are accessible to their students and connected to their curriculum. At the conclusion of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of coding with Scratch, as well as a collection of ideas for coding a wide range of projects with their students.

Prior experience with coding is not necessary for participation in this course.

The content of this course has been developed based on research on hands-on learning, feedback, and computational thinking from Karen Brennan, director of the Creative Computing Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Mitch Resnick, head of the Lifelong Kindergarten research group at MIT. The Follow, Tinker, Make, Share framework for course design, developed by Dr. William Rankin and Bea Leiderman, ensures learners can succeed through scaffolded hands-on activities as they acquire skills.