Since I work with students in the computer lab at an elementary school, I have seen first hand how much they love to code. I do an Hour of Code rotation with students several times each year and one activity we do is very similar to what librarian “Robot Claudia” does with children to help them build a snowman. In the same SLJ article, coding is described as “teaching computational thinking – or the ability to follow a step-by-step process to solve a problem” (Snelling, 2018). Before classes begin coding online, students must first give me a series of step-by-step instructions on how to draw a picture of their choosing – which I attempt to do by following their commands. Sounds easy, right? It is actually quite challenging and brings lots of laughter at the same time!
For this coding activity, I chose Minecraft. I think block coding is a great place for younger students to begin and Minecraft is a good game to start with. The students are given a mission, such as “have the cows walk to the grass” and they must drag and drop command blocks, one at a time and in the correct order, to complete the mission. It is fun, takes a lot of thought, and although the first couple of steps are simple, it gets challenging quickly (but not too challenging). The game gives you the number of blocks you should use to complete your mission, but you aren’t penalized if you go over. I have students who have no problem with coding and many that struggle to put all the pieces together. In both situations it is a great learning experience in following step by step instructions and doing so in an engaging way.
With regard to literacy and how technology fits into the library, “When you code, you set the scene, build tension, create climax, include falling action, and come to a resolution – think Minecraft game design” (Moen, 2016). I think coding can be a valuable addition to any library.
Code.org. (2020). Hour of code. Retrieved from https://hourofcode.com/us/learn
Moen, M. (2016, September 30). Computer coding and literacy: librarians lead the connection. Literacy Now [blog]. Retrieved from https://www.literacyworldwide.org/blog/literacy-now/2016/09/30/computer-coding-and-literacy-librarians-lead-the-connection.
Snelling J. (2018, April 3). Don’t stress about coding: focus shifts to teaching problem solving not computer skills. School Library Journal. Retrieved from https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=dont-stress-coding-focus-shifts-teaching-problem-solving-not-computer-skills
July 24, 2020 at 4:25 pm
Kate,
I’m jealous that your school has a computer lab – I think that’s awesome and wish every school in the county did. It is such an awesome resource and the benefits are almost infinite! Minecraft sounds like a great way to start out, as it’s something most kids are familiar with already, so coding that way is putting a new spin on a familiar game! I think you’re right that it is an excellent exercise in following step-by-step directions, which is such a key skill for our students to possess.
-Gray
July 25, 2020 at 10:29 am
Kate,
I know that my daughters loved your computer class! Asking students to develop step by step instructions opens their eyes to how important wording, or coding, is to get your point across. I did something similar, asking students to give step by step instructions for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The kids usually get a big laugh, realizing how important the process really is.
I had no idea Minecraft was about coding. What a great way to be introduced to coding.
July 25, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Kate,
I love the planning idea you give at the end of the first paragraph! We’ve been thinking about having my 7 year old start Hour of Code or something similar, but after typing and IXL, she’s pretty fried.
July 27, 2020 at 11:59 pm
I was excited to hear your thoughts on the coding, because I know it’s something Joe promotes quite a bit among our ITRTs. I like that you point out that some students have no problem and others struggle – and it doesn’t always align with how the students do in their core classes. Computational thinking is challenging and a skill that needs to be modeled and taught like everything else.