Over the last few years coding has exploded in the educational field, and where we once only saw coding occurring during computer science classes for the intermediate grades or high-schools, has now become mainstream with our younger learners.
Over the last few years coding has exploded in the educational field, and where we once only saw coding occurring during computer science classes for the intermediate grades or high-schools, has now become mainstream with our younger learners.
Coding has been around since the invention of the computer, so what sparked this change?
Coding has been around since the invention of the computer, so what sparked this change?
To the non-programmer, like myself, the catalyst was taking the programming languages and making them accessible (and perhaps understandable) to all of us; specifically, in the form of Block coding (like Blockly).
To the non-programmer, like myself, the catalyst was taking the programming languages and making them accessible (and perhaps understandable) to all of us; specifically, in the form of Block coding (like Blockly).
By creating code through visual blocks, inclusion of the non-programmer took shape and coding became a language for all ages to learn.
By creating code through visual blocks, inclusion of the non-programmer took shape and coding became a language for all ages to learn.
Next, this form of coding was embedded into games, robots, and programs that even the youngest of creators could program. Code started to jump off the digital page and make robots move, lights blink, and objects interact with the user. We could now see our codes take life.
Next, this form of coding was embedded into games, robots, and programs that even the youngest of creators could program. Code started to jump off the digital page and make robots move, lights blink, and objects interact with the user. We could now see our codes take life.
My Kinders Who Code website is a starting point of ideas, lessons and tools that you can use in your classroom. Each idea will be aligned with the Ontario 2016 Kindergarten Program curriculum and the Four Frames, but can be used by anyone with your own curriculum standards (Common Core, etc). Keep an eye out for underlined hyperlinks or buttons to see the resources that go along with some of the coding concepts being learned, look under the Ontario Curriculum page (last page) to see the overall expectations of coding, and look for the Kindergarten symbol to see specific Four Frame Expectations for each coding activity.
My Kinders Who Code website is a starting point of ideas, lessons and tools that you can use in your classroom. Each idea will be aligned with the Ontario 2016 Kindergarten Program curriculum and the Four Frames, but can be used by anyone with your own curriculum standards (Common Core, etc). Keep an eye out for underlined hyperlinks or buttons to see the resources that go along with some of the coding concepts being learned, look under the Ontario Curriculum page (last page) to see the overall expectations of coding, and look for the Kindergarten symbol to see specific Four Frame Expectations for each coding activity.
