The Digital Divas start playing with Coding
Coding is becoming very popular in both primary and secondary Schools. It seem that many schools now have Coding Clubs and Makerspaces which explore the many coding languages and applications. it is now a requirement in Australian Schools as part of the new Technologies Curriculum.
So what is coding and why is it important.?
What is coding?
Coding, in the simplest of terms, is telling a computer what you want it to do, which involves typing in step-by-step commands for the computer to follow.
Learning to code is like learning a foreign language, or languages depending on how mnay coding languages you want to learn.
There are many different coding languages, each one designed with certain things in mind. Examples include C, a 'low level' but fast programming language that is good for anything graphically intensive like games; Javascript, which was specifically designed for dealing with web content; and Perl, a multi-functional language that is often referred to as the 'swiss army knife' of programming.
Why is coding important?
Code powers our digital world. Every website, smartphone app, computer programme, calculator and even microwave relies on code in order to operate. This makes coders the architects and builders of the digital age.
Over the next 10 years it is estimated that there will be 1.4 million jobs in computer sciences and only around 400,000 graduates qualified to do them.
Jobs not directly linked to computer sciences - such as banking, medicine and journalism - will also be affected by the need for at least an understanding of programming and coding.
"Our world is increasingly run by software and we need more diversity in the people who are building it. More importantly, writing software is about expression, creativity - and practical application," Liukas told IBTimes UK.
"Our kids should learn to bend, join, break and combine code in a way it wasn't designed to. It's a whole generation of kids that will use code like our generation used words."
Information adapted from http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/coding-classroom-what-coding-why-it-so-important-1463157
So what is coding and why is it important.?
What is coding?
Coding, in the simplest of terms, is telling a computer what you want it to do, which involves typing in step-by-step commands for the computer to follow.
Learning to code is like learning a foreign language, or languages depending on how mnay coding languages you want to learn.
There are many different coding languages, each one designed with certain things in mind. Examples include C, a 'low level' but fast programming language that is good for anything graphically intensive like games; Javascript, which was specifically designed for dealing with web content; and Perl, a multi-functional language that is often referred to as the 'swiss army knife' of programming.
Why is coding important?
Code powers our digital world. Every website, smartphone app, computer programme, calculator and even microwave relies on code in order to operate. This makes coders the architects and builders of the digital age.
Over the next 10 years it is estimated that there will be 1.4 million jobs in computer sciences and only around 400,000 graduates qualified to do them.
Jobs not directly linked to computer sciences - such as banking, medicine and journalism - will also be affected by the need for at least an understanding of programming and coding.
"Our world is increasingly run by software and we need more diversity in the people who are building it. More importantly, writing software is about expression, creativity - and practical application," Liukas told IBTimes UK.
"Our kids should learn to bend, join, break and combine code in a way it wasn't designed to. It's a whole generation of kids that will use code like our generation used words."
Information adapted from http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/coding-classroom-what-coding-why-it-so-important-1463157
Coding resources
Here are some great websites that we are using to learn how to code. This is just a start...there are lots more.
Hour of Code
The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. Anyone, anywhere can organize an Hour of Code event. One-hour tutorials are available in over 40 languages. No experience needed.
Codecademy
A website that helps you learn how to code.
Code.org
Popular games, big names get kids pumped to program in only an hour
Code Avengers
Challenging puzzles teach with real code, best for more advanced kids
Made with Code
Inspirational videos and fun projects to entice girls to start coding.
Thimble by Mozilla
Thimble is an online code editor that makes it easy to create and publish your own web pages while learning HTML, CSS & JavaScript.
Coding Apps
Scratch
Platform: Web
Cost: Free!
Scratch is created for 8-to-16-year-olds. Students use a visual programming language made up of bricks that they drag to the workspace to animate sprites. Various types of bricks trigger loops, create variables, initiate interactivity, play sounds, and more. Teaching guides, communities and other resources available on the website will help instructors get started.
Tynker
Platform: Web
Cost: Free! (with Premium upgrade option)
The interface of Tynker looks similar to Scratch. But while Scratch was designed to program, Tynker was built to teach programming. The app features starter lesson plans, classroom management tools, and an online showcase of student-created programs. Lessons are self-paced and simple for students to follow without assistance.
Hopscotch
Platform: iPad
Cost: Free!
Hopscotch looks a lot like Scratch and Tynker and uses similar controls to drag blocks into a workspace, but it only runs on the iPad. The controls and characters are not as extensive as Scratch and Tynker, but Hopscotch is a great tool to begin helping students without coding experience learn the basics of programming, logical thinking and problem solving.
Cargo-Bot
Platform: iPad
Cost: Free!
Cargo-Bot is another game that teaches coding skills. On each level, the objective is to move colored crates from one place to another by programming a claw crane to move left or right, and drop or pick up.
Here are some great websites that we are using to learn how to code. This is just a start...there are lots more.
Hour of Code
The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. Anyone, anywhere can organize an Hour of Code event. One-hour tutorials are available in over 40 languages. No experience needed.
Codecademy
A website that helps you learn how to code.
Code.org
Popular games, big names get kids pumped to program in only an hour
Code Avengers
Challenging puzzles teach with real code, best for more advanced kids
Made with Code
Inspirational videos and fun projects to entice girls to start coding.
Thimble by Mozilla
Thimble is an online code editor that makes it easy to create and publish your own web pages while learning HTML, CSS & JavaScript.
Coding Apps
Scratch
Platform: Web
Cost: Free!
Scratch is created for 8-to-16-year-olds. Students use a visual programming language made up of bricks that they drag to the workspace to animate sprites. Various types of bricks trigger loops, create variables, initiate interactivity, play sounds, and more. Teaching guides, communities and other resources available on the website will help instructors get started.
Tynker
Platform: Web
Cost: Free! (with Premium upgrade option)
The interface of Tynker looks similar to Scratch. But while Scratch was designed to program, Tynker was built to teach programming. The app features starter lesson plans, classroom management tools, and an online showcase of student-created programs. Lessons are self-paced and simple for students to follow without assistance.
Hopscotch
Platform: iPad
Cost: Free!
Hopscotch looks a lot like Scratch and Tynker and uses similar controls to drag blocks into a workspace, but it only runs on the iPad. The controls and characters are not as extensive as Scratch and Tynker, but Hopscotch is a great tool to begin helping students without coding experience learn the basics of programming, logical thinking and problem solving.
Cargo-Bot
Platform: iPad
Cost: Free!
Cargo-Bot is another game that teaches coding skills. On each level, the objective is to move colored crates from one place to another by programming a claw crane to move left or right, and drop or pick up.