Coding ... seeing students through a different lens

The colleagues I work with know that I like to try new things and expose students to a variety of ideas and topics.

A couple years ago, I read on Twitter about Hour of Code. I had no idea what it was, so I did a little research. I found the website www.code.org and all the resources it offered. I switched gears, moved my lessons around and decided to attempt Hour of Code with my students. The students loved it and I appreciated what it taught students, as they "played" a game on the computer.

There are lots of resources to teach Hour of Code at the elementary level. I have found two short videos on Brainpop and BrainpopJr. that have worked very well as an introduction for the students. The upper elementary students like the Minecraft coding activities at www.code.org, and the younger students enjoy Angry Birds at this site, or activities at Kodable.com.

While the students might relate this experience to playing a video game, the activity is much more than that. Students have to be critical thinkers to figure out how to complete the coding activities. They also learn from their mistakes. If the code doesn't work, they try again and again before they move to the next level. Grit, persistence and patience are just a few lessons students learn may while coding.

Some students get frustrated when they are coding, and I can certainly relate to that. Coding does not come easy for me ... my brain doesn't work like that. Before I taught my first-ever lesson on coding, I practiced the coding activity, which was a beginner level on www.Tynker.com. It took me 45 minutes to complete it! I encourage students to keep trying ... it's good for our brains to think and work hard at things that are not easy for us.

Introducing students to Hour of Code has provided a different lens through which to see my students. I love to see students fly through the activity, especially when they feel like they've found something they are good at! And those students who struggle and get frustrated? Well, they have a special place in my heart ... because that's how I feel when I code.  I don't let them off the hook, and I certainly don't scratch my Hour of Code lessons just because it's difficult. 

Coding is a big part of our world, and will only continue to grow. My role is to introduce students to it and to encourage them in their efforts ... no matter how long it takes them to complete the activity!