I chose to focus on coding for my final sandbox for 602. After reading Don’t Stress About Coding by J. Snelling, I immediately told my husband that we should sign my older daughter up to take coding classes, especially when it said that students should be exposed to coding by the 3rd grade. I was curious about why the article stated learning the basics of coding by the 3rd grade was important, especially for girls (Snelling, 2018). Many of my students struggle to solve problems, regardless if they are of a computational sort or not. But since we are expecting students to interact with computers more and more, it would make sense if we gave them the basics in computational thinking starting in elementary school. Introducing these computational skills early will help in creating problem solving skills and preparing them for a growing computing job workforce.
I completely agree with Moen when she wrote that the core of a librarian’s mission is to “help people understand how to solve problems using information effectively” (Moen, 2016). Libraries and librarians have always offered people a place where they can get information. I really liked the example of combining coding and literature in an English language arts class. Creating a space for coding at libraries (both public and school libraries) is one way libraries can continue to be engaging places that people go to when they want to learn about something that will help them to engage with the world around them.
I was excited as I browsed through the seemingly endless options for the Hour of Code activities. I chose to learn how to code a breathing app. I really liked how they talked about how meditation and breathing exercises can help someone become a better coder. Even with the step by step instructions in the video, it took me several tries to create a code for a breathing app that I was happy with, but it is the kind of thing that I like to do. The clear, cause and effect steps make my brain happy. But there were so many other options to pick from that I think students will find at least ONE thing they would be interested in learning how to code.
Check out what I created! Breathing Visual
References
Moen, M. (2016, September 30). Computer Coding and Literacy: Librarians Lead the Connection. International Literacy Association. 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. https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=dont-stress-coding-focus-shifts-teaching-problem-solving-not-computer-skills
Very nice! I absolutely agree that computational thinking really is problem solving. These are skills that absolutely need to be taught in the library and taught early.
I like your breathing visual! The expanding and contracting circle mimics the lungs filling and emptying, and the color changes are pleasant. 🙂
After reading these articles, I’m also interested in getting my kids into coding. The Hour of Code website certainly offers a huge range of ages and interests.
Wow, that is so cool that you made a breathing app after your coding activity. It is great that the students would have something to show for themselves when they finish. I agree with the problem solving comment. It is an immensely useful skill in life and the workplace. Some adults could benefit from these activities as well!
If you designed your own lesson, what would you like students to learn? I’m intrigued at the mention of combining literature and coding. So often the humanities and sciences are considered too different to mesh well together, so I’d love to see more combinations like this.
The article mentioned having students use coding to create a scene with the main character of the book, so I guess something like that?
It was very hard for me to choose as well. There were so many great options. I will have to try the breathing coding. I did not see that in my searches.
I love your breathing exercise! Something that we all need to remember to do!
Coding is definitely a useful skill that needs to be taught early. I did a 3-D printing design and when I got frustrated, my daughter came to walk me through what I was doing. I had no idea she knew how to do that, so I asked her where she learned it. She told me that she had learned how to use Tinkercad at a girls’ science event at JMU in middle school!
That’s awesome that your daughter was able to help you! I hope my daughter will get a similar opportunity.