(Activity Duration - 15-20 Min)
Assignment Instructions
In the 5 sections below, read the following "Reasons Why Coding Is Important".
Take about 10 min (2+ min per question) to review the following reasons, and write down a few thoughts in the form of a sentence or two. Do you agree or disagree? Be ready to discuss with the class.
Coding Is Another Language
Language teaches you how to communicate and teaches logical thinking. Language also strengthens both verbal and written skills. You should be exposed to different languages. It helps you to understand the world around you better. Coding has a language all its own.
Every letter in the Alphabet has a special formula of 0’s and 1’s that represent it. These 0’s and 1’s give the technology around us directions on how to perform. What better way for you to understand why and how the technology around you operates than by learning to code and speaking to the technology around you.
Take about 2 min to review the text, and write down a few thoughts in the form of a sentence or two.
How is a computer language like other languages?
What interesting ideas or thoughts comes to mind?
Be ready to discuss with the class.
Coding Fosters Creativity
By experimenting, you learn and strengthen your brains. Even when you make a mistake you learn. Be creative… You are encouraged to think about and try to solve hard problems.
Being creative is part of the process and not always the product. Just creatively working on a hard problem is good for your brain… you are building brain structures to be able to continue to solve challenging tasks.
Take about 2 min to review the text, and write down a few thoughts in the form of a sentence or two.
Do you agree or disagree about the authors thoughts on creativity?
Why do you think the author thinks creativity is important?
Be ready to discuss with the class.
Coding Helps You With Math Skills
Coding helps you to be able to visualize abstract concepts, lets you apply math to real-world situations, and makes math fun and creative.
Let’s say a bit about “MATH”... There is no such thing as a “Math Brain”. If you have said “I’m just not good at math, I don’t have a math brain”, YOU ARE WRONG… there is no such thing as a math brain. We can all “do math”. Yes, math is hard, but everyone can learn it.
More often than not, the reason you hate math and think you are bad at it, is because it was not taught to you the right way… Sorry if this happened to you. Just know, YOU CAN LEARN MATH… Coding, like math is just learning a new language and understanding all the rules… it just takes persistence and practice.
Take about 2 min to review the text, and write down a few thoughts in the form of a sentence or two.
Do you agree or disagree? Is there such a thing as a "Math Brain"?
What do you think "visualize abstract concepts" means?
Be ready to discuss with the class.
Coding Improves Your Writing Academic Performance
When you learn to code, you also learn to understand how to plan and organize thoughts. This can lead to better writing skills that can be built upon as your coding skills develop over time.
Being able to describe and document your code is super important to you, so that months later you know what your code does, or to the pore soul who has to maintain your code when you get a different job.
Take about 2 min to review the text, and write down a few thoughts in the form of a sentence or two.
Do you agree or disagree? How could code writing help with all your other writing tasks?
Do you think writing skills are important?
Be ready to discuss with the class.
Coding Helps You Become Confident Problem Solvers
As you learn to code and give direction you learn that there is no one way to do something, even if your way didn’t work. You can improve upon what you have already done without worrying about failing.
Coding is a basic literacy in the digital age, and it is important for you to understand and be able to work with and understand the technology around you.
Learning coding at any age prepares you for the future. Coding helps you with communication, creativity, math,writing, and confidence.
Take about 2 min to review the text, and write down a few thoughts in the form of a sentence or two.
Do you agree or disagree?
Do you consider yourself a confident person?
What do you think practice, coding and even failing, has to to do with confidence?
Be ready to discuss with the class.
Check with your instructor for the method to turn in this assignment... More than likely, you will have an assignment in Canvas, Google classroom or some other LMS, where you can submit your writing assignment.
If you are a teacher and want to connect and teach this module, discuss how I teach it, give me feedback, please contact me at TopClown@STEAMClown.org
To access this Lesson Plan and the Teacher collaboration area, you will have needed to connect with me so I can Share the content with you. Please go to the Teachers & Partner Page, check out my Licensing and fill out my Collaboration and Curriculum Request Form. I'll review and then grant you access to the requested areas and lesson plans if they exist.
If you have questions or feedback on how I can make a presentation, lesson, lab better please give use my Feedback Form.
<list Standards>
All Images not sourced are typically found with a search with "wiki" in the search string.
