“It has helped me realize that coding isn’t as impossible as it seems”. Higher education institutions like the University of California – Los Angeles, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Georgia Institute of Technology have started programs that combine the arts and coding, but it’s more rare for teachers at the elementary and secondary school level to bring the concepts into their classes.
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The school already has a Coding curriculum, teaching students to write programs, think sequentially, and interact with technology in creative ways.
The Hour of Code celebrates Computer Science Week which takes place from Monday, December 7th to Sunday, December 13th and focuses on introducing students to computer science. It also sends a signal about the value being placed on science and technology, said Code.org’s chief operating officer Cameron Wilson.
They’ve been taking tutorials featuring such themes as Star Wars, Minecraft and Anna and Elsa from “Frozen“.
Computer science education supporters have spent six years working to get two simple words included in the sweeping rewrite of USA education policy that President Barack Obama signed into law on Thursday. This year, Norfolk Public Schools has more than 2,000 students kindergarten through 12th grade participating.
Basic commands that Margeson said will help students with other vital skills.
In addition to ACHS, 20 other schools in the district and a total of 90 teachers participated in the Hour of Code, according to Elizabeth Emmett, director of communications and community engagement.
State Superintendent Sherri Ybarra shows of her Hour of Code certificate.
“It really sparks interest in the students”, said Daniel Elliot, the robotics teacher at Arroyo Seco. We’re talking about the Hour of Code. “It makes it more important for them to learn how to add and subtract, to multiply”. She would like everyone to understand that coding and technology is now a mainstay of many professions – from fashion to banking. “Once you teach them how to code, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for them”. They both say the job market is ready for more and more experts in technology.
“And that’s huge. I’m so happy that we’re going to be doing that, because you can see how excited the kids are”, Weitz said.
Students at Prince Elementary cycled through four one-hour sessions that covered coding, looping and binary numbers.
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“I’d like to see if Obama can do it as fast as I can”, Otter said while walking up to accept his certificate for completing the challenge.
