Coding
Find this web page at: bit.ly/startingcoding
Coding seems to be the buzz word in education. The new Digital Technologies Curriculum (VIC or Australian) has increased the focus on creating digital solutions, computational thinking, algorithms, solving problems and designing visual programs as solutions to problems.
Do you feel totally unprepared for teaching coding?
Do some of your students already code?
Are you feeling a long way from being an "expert teacher"?
CHECK OUT THESE HABITS OF MIND ➡️
(credit: Reid Wilson)
The-Profile-of-a-Modern-Teacher.pdfHow well do you know your coding concepts?
Open the flashcards and try the "matching" game....how long did it take you?
How many of the terms made sense? How many were new vocabulary?
Use the "Flashcards" to see the full set of terms and definitions.
How could I introduce coding in my school?
Use these slides to spark interest in computer science & coding
A suggested sequence of learning to introduce coding into your school for the first time.
Introducing Coding through Picture Story Books
As teaching reading is a non-negotiable in any primary classroom, why not utilise your literacy time to introduce coding ideas and concepts...while enjoying a great story! Each of these books has is written as a story but with a "teacher's guide" at the back of the book to make the coding links. They are also accompanied by great websites full of additional resources: If I Were A Wizard , Hello Ruby Both books are available to buy online at Amazon.
Getting "Unplugged"
To introduce students to concepts of computer science and computational thinking, it's strongly suggested that a range of "unplugged" activities are utilised. Vocabulary such as algorithms, conditionals, debugging and more are introduced in a hands on manner before students use digital coding programs (Scratch etc.)
Scratch
1. Visit the Scratch Educator Page to create a Teacher account
2. Once signed in, "Create" (top left next to the Scratch logo)
3. You now have Tinker Time...5 minutes to discover anything you can (be prepared to share to the class!)
Have this poster up in your room and refer to each element regularly...particularly the CONSTRUCT. Don't accept "my code doesn't work, can you help?"- that's not smart or specific!
CHALLENGE: Create a game in Scratch that includes all of the following coding concepts
*Use to Piskel to create your main character and import it as a new sprite*
- Algorithms (e.g. any set sequenced instructions)
- Decompose (you can't make every part of your game at once- break it into many smaller problems)
- Debugging (remember to test your code regularly to make debugging easier)
- Repeats & Loops (e.g. music)
- Event (e.g. key pressed)
- Variables (e.g. score)
- Conditionals (e.g. if touching...then....)
- Functions (e.g. make a block)
- Abstraction (e.g. use the "backpack" feature to reuse code that is similar)
How do students create Scratch accounts?
1. You (teacher) create a Scratch Teacher Account (CLICK HERE)- it does take 24hrs to approve. Then you are able to share a custom link that your students simply click on to sign up. From your Scratch login you are able to see all the students in your class and all their projects they share.
OR
2. When using CS First in your class, student Scratch accounts are generated when they sign into your CS First Club (they have the same username and password for CS First as they do for Scratch). As the teacher, you can go to your CS First Dashboard to view student projects.
Other Coding Resources
Sets out lessons (both unplugged & plugged) into sequences ready to teach tomorrow. You can even sync your class from Google Classroom.
Bridges the gap from block coding to written language code.
*Free trial for 30 days, then $49 pa for unlimited students.
Also allows for a combination of block & text programming. Try the "Pencil Code Gym" to learn the program.
How well do you know your coding concepts? Try this memory game to test yourself!