CODING IN THE NEW YEAR

Maybe you’ve already decided on a personal New Year’s resolution, but have you chosen a professional one? This is a perfect time to commit to introducing coding into your curriculum. We understand that incorporating new technology can feel overwhelming when you’re just learning about it yourself. This is especially true with coding when you are literally learning a new language! Would you be more willing to try if you could step aside and let an expert do the work – for free? Code.org offers just that.

Code.org has, among its many goals, pledged to create fantastic programs and reach classrooms across the globe. Recognizing the increasing importance of computer science and need for programmers, backers like Amazon and Facebook have helped to make those goals a reality. Visitors to the website may choose from hour-long adventures, full-length courses from Code Studio, and links to other third-party courses and apps. The experts have even done the work of differentiating lessons for Kindergarten through postsecondary students by utilizing a self-paced format, modifying instruction with images and video instructions for prereaders, and offering partner work capabilities. Engage reluctant learners with pop-culture themes like Minecraft, Star Wars, and Frozen, or share a motivational message from a celebrity like Steph Curry or former President Obama. Teachers can create profiles for each student and track their progress. You can see what levels have been attempted, completed, or skipped, view independent projects, and even assign surveys and assessments. And, of course there are How-to guides for getting started.   The planning is done and the materials are prepared – all you have to do is sign up and share it with your students. Keeping your resolution has never been easier! 

Planning to try out a different STEAM element in the new year? We’d love to hear about it.