Over the past months I have been exploring many different educational websites and apps with my students. A website that I have found to be absolutely amazing in the classroom is Code.org. This computer science website allows students to start to think like a software engineer, as users have the opportunity to code a vast amount of different applications. I use this with my class during “morning work” time. The time when students are settling into the building, signing up for lunches, listening to announcements, etc (I teach 4th grade). Such time takes about 30 minutes each day, and I extend my morning work block an additional 20 minutes before we head to special. This 50 minute block of time allows students to explore different applications, and if such applications seem sound I create an assignment that students work on for a couple of days before we move to the next website or app.
With that said, Code.org offers so much for educators and the students. More importantly, I have not come across anything that has cost money yet on the website! The website is very vast, as it offers random game coding and modification to very structured courses with many lessons that build off of each other. The resource even offers printable lesson plans that include lessons that are done offline as well (unplugged). As an educator, you are able to create a virtual classroom in which you can assign specific lessons to your class. Students can easily join your class by entering the login information on their end. My students have access to one-to-one iPads, thus implementing such practices is very easy. However, if you have computer labs or other means of digital devices that connect to the internet you can very easily implement such practices as well. I really like the different hour of code courses built within the application, as they are structured lessons that build off of each other but not as long as the grade specific material. Furthermore, the grade specific courses are great if you plan to utilize the application for an extended time as there is a culminating piece which students would love to reach and accomplish. Both the hour of code and the grade specific material provides a very easy tracking method on each individual student’s progress if assigned through the virtual classroom function. I really like how the website allows me to set up a classroom with each one of my students easily able to join. I think it is important to note that the website runs very smoothly and works well on multiple platforms.
My students’ first experience with the website proved its benefits. The first time I introduced the website I allowed students to do whatever they wanted on it. All of them chose to explore the game coding and the modification of already completed games allowing students to customize games such as Flappy Bird. When students customize or build a specific game, such as Flappy Bird, off of a provided foundation they are able to test the game. Thus, whatever code students write in is how the game performs. Every student was thoroughly engaged in their coding! My plan is to now assign the grade level specific courses to my class. Such courses provides students with explanation videos and coding lessons that build off of each other. I can even take an easy grade for the grade book, making sure students stay on the course track and don’t get lost in only customizing and playing games. The culminating piece to the course is actually the building of a small open world game! Technology within our society is advancing more and more each day, thus having a resource such as Code.org allows students to engage in what will certainly be an imperative field as they enter their college and career endeavors. As stated by Hayden (2016), “Computer science education enhances our children’s ability to think, engages them with hands-on teamwork and prepares them for a successful future. Who are we to deny them the language their future will rely on?”
Reference
Hayden, E. (2016). Coding for kids: The benefits of starting computer science education young. Rasmussen College. Retrieved from http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/blog/coding-for-kids/.
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