Why Coding? Getting Started with Computational Thinking

WHAT IS CODING AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING?

“Coding is really about how you solve a problem, rather than learning a specific language or tool. Programming languages evolve and change all the time but at the core, the fundamental blocks of how you think don’t change. Computational thinking, or process for solving problems, can be taught even without leaning a specific programming language. The code is just the tool that facilitates solving a challenge in a particular way. This is important to remember as educators – you don’t need to know all the syntax of a language to teach it – you just need to understand the logic of solving problems” (“Teachers Learning Code”, n.d.).

Teach Kids to Code – Why Should We Teach Programming?

This PowerPoint presentation called Teach Kids to Code – Why Should We Teach Programming? posted by BC ADST succinctly gives the top 10 reasons why we should teach coding. The following are the 10 reasons expanded in in the presentation:

1. not enough programmers
2. kids are already coding
3. learning early benefits kids
4. integrate coding into any subject
5. meet common core standards
6. coding encourages collaboration
7. programming empowers kids
8. no advanced degree required
9. coding = creativity
10. #kidscancode

This is a great place to start for those new to code to understand the foundational reasons for teaching computational thinking.

Canada Learning Code

Canada Learning Code states, “We believe that digital skills are tools of empowerment. The world is changing, and we want Canada to be ready. We’re here to make sure that all people in Canada — particularly women, girls, people with disabilities, Indigenous youth and newcomers — have access to the knowledge they need to prosper in our digital world” (“Canada Learning Code”, n.d.). Canada Learning Code provides resources as well as lesson plans, connections to local workshops, and Code4Change themed projects to explore how coding can change the world.

Here is a link to the Vancouver Chapter so that you can check out local learning experiences being offered.

The following video presents the main goal of the Canada Learning Code website: “…that all Canadians, particularly those currently underrepresented in tech, can learn critical skills and be active participants in the digital age”) It also key reasons as to why learning code is essential and that “learning to code is part of something much bigger – it’s about a new way of thinking – how we use and solve problems with technology” (“What is Canada Learning Code?”, 2017).

Teachers Learning Code

Teachers Learning Code (part of Canada Learning Code) is a quick-start guide for Canadian teachers delving into the world of coding. This 24 page pdf contains information for teaching coding in Canadian schools and includes a “Digital Toolbox” including sections on the rationale behind coding, teaching coding for beginners, and step-by-step lesson plans for the classroom.

Teach Your Kids to Code

The Teach Your Kids to Code website offers an amazing page of collected articles on Why Coding is an important skills that should be taught to kids in school and offers resources to help support teachers beginning their coding journey with students as young as kindergarten. This website also offers The Ultimate Guide to Coding for Kids with a fantastic step-by-step rationale for teaching coding and practical suggestions on how to get started (including using a simple desk of cards).

SET-BC AfterShare Program

The SET-BC AfterShare Program website offers links to SET-BC Consultant blogs that provide resources and support workshop participants through networking (some materials require a log-in). This site provides an excellent introduction to coding and links to coding resources (no tech, low tech, and high tech).

Computational Thinking

The blog article titled The Argument for Computational Thinking offers insight into how computational thinking creates a foundation for coding. This article encourages teachers who are just beginning their own coding journey that they probably already are already doing Computation Thinking in their classrooms and are well on their way to understanding the basics of coding.

5 Reasons to Teach Kids to Code – Posters

5 Reasons to Teach Kids to Code presented by Kodable is a free poster infographic resource outlining the main reasons coding should be taught to kids.

Computational Thinking Posters

These free Computational Thinking Posters outline the 4 main areas of computational thinking (Decomposition, Pattern Recognition, Abstraction, Algorithm) and are great for understanding the essentials of computational thinking.