Only one in 10 schools teaches students how to code—at least, according to Code.org, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding computer science’s prominence in the classroom until it’s as fundamental a subject as math or reading. In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, Code.org introduced the basics of JavaScript, a common programming language, to millions of students around the world with their “Hour of Code” tutorials for “ages 4 to 104”—and private schools got in on the action.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, Florida, participated for the second time this year, as the Director of Information Technology Susan Bearden told FloridaToday. “Many students have preconceived notions about computer programming, and the Hour of Code is a great way to help kids realize that yes, anyone can code.” Almost everyone—even preschoolers!—participated in the event.
Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, Indiana, also joined in the fun, ensuring that Lower School students in particular tried their hand at programming. As the school said on its website:
It has been shown that as students progress through [school,] they form opinions around the areas of math and science, often deciding it is only for kids who are "smarter," or "just for boys." Exposing students [from kindergarten through fifth grade] "levels the playing field" and can potentially inspire students who might not otherwise know about coding.
Coding, which can be done with or without the use of a computer, requires students to think creatively, engage in problem-solving, and connects students in activities that require true grit. […] Grit (the tendency to sustain attention and interest in a long-term goal) has emerged as an indicator of academic success beyond GPA and IQ.
Jacksonville Country Day School in Jacksonville, Florida, enjoyed both an “Angry Birds” and “Frozen”-themed programming tutorials. The tutorials—able to run on just about every desktop and mobile device—guide users through a series of puzzles and challenges using “Blockly,” a visual representation of code that allows new programmers to drag-and-drop blocks instead of worrying about “proper” coding language.
The school’s Director of Advancement and Operations, Matt Wilson, told The Florida Times-Union that he hopes many of the students who were asked to “code” in class will be inspired to try it again later. By using the tutorials and participating in the Hour of Code challenge, Wilson says, the school is “trying to take away that stigma that [computer programming is too hard, and … explain the thought processes behind it.”
All tutorials are free, as is a sample curriculum for integrating computer programming into the classroom. If you’d like to learn more about Code.org’s mission to encourage more students everywhere to pursue computer science, you can visit their website or just watch the video we’ve embedded here for you. (And, if you have a free hour, try out their Angry Birds tutorial—it’s addicting and fascinating!)
Additional ISM resources:
Research: Science in Action: Hands-On and Interactive Computer Tasks From the 2009 Science Assessment
ISM Monthly Update for Division Heads Vol. 8 No. 1 21st Century Learning: Can the Classroom Be a Game Space?
Additional ISM resources for Gold Consortium members:
I&P Vol. 37 No. 15 Foreign Language in the Elementary Grades: Is It Worth It?
I&P Vol. 29 No. 13 Keep Evolving Program Needs on Your Facilities 'Radar'
