Coding for Students
Benton Tech Tips for Teachers
Computer Science Week December 7-13
Think coding can only be done by computer specialists? Well think again. Coding can be done by students of any age. Coding is simply telling a computer, app, game, or device what you want it to do. Computer program helps students to develop skills in problem solving and fosters new ways of thinking about problems and situations. Learning to code helps prepare students for the world we live in today. Our students are growing up in a different world than we did. Almost every aspect of their lives revolves around technology from their phones, computers, YouTube, Netflix, Minecraft, and ordering at Chili's. Not only do our students need to be proficient in using technology, but they also need to understand it. “Coding is the new literacy. To thrive in tomorrow’s society, young people must learn to design, create and express themselves with digital technologies,” says Mitchel Resnick, a media arts and sciences professor at the MIT Media Lab. Computer Science jobs are growing 3 times faster than the number of CS graduates. It is estimated that over the next 10 years over 1,000,000 programing jobs will go unfilled. That is roughly a $500 billion opportunity in salaries.
Let's bring coding into the classroom. To learn more or to have me come work with your students, please email me at ntanner@bentonschools.org You can also check out Benton Codes. Also be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for more information on A Night of Code. It is open to all students grades 5-9. Please take time to inform your students about this amazing opportunity!
Coding for Young Students
The Foos
A Great story-based coding game that uses drag and drop coding puzzles. To play the Hour of Code version on your computer click The Foos. It is a great App to add to your classroom iPads.
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone
Box Island
Drag and drop coding that teaches students the basics of algorithms, sequence and looping. Great App to download to your classroom iPads.
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone
Kodable
Can be played online with the link above or downloaded to a mobile device. Drag and Drop coding. Has a full online curriculum that teachers or parents can do with their students. Kodable.com They have a free basic curriculum or you can purchase an advanced curriculum. For the Hour of Code version click Kodable.
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone, Web Version
Coding your Preteens-Teens
Code.org
Code.org is a nonprofit website set up to help get students interested in Computer Science. It is packed with hundreds of different lessons and resources students can use to learn more about coding. If you don't know where to start, look no further. Code.org has something for everyone! Click Code to begin your journey.
- Devices: Website
Code Monkey
Fun Hour of Code game where students learn the basics of writing code to help the monkey get his bananas back. Click Code Monkey to play.
- Web Version only
Code Combat
Students learn Pyton or JavaScript to help their Hero defend their castle. This is a favorite with students. To play click Code Combat.
- Web Version only
Event Information
Night of Code
We live in a world surrounded by technology, and we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults their ability to succeed will increasingly hinge on understanding how technology works. Only a tiny fraction of us are learning computer science, and less students are studying it than a decade ago.
This is why our school is joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 7-13).
Our Hour of Code is a statement that Benton is ready to teach these foundational 21st century skills. To continue bringing programming activities to your students, we want to make our Hour of Code event huge, so in conjunction with Computer Science Week Benton Public schools is excited to offer their first ever A Night of Code. A Night of Code will be open to all students grades 5-9 to come and enjoy, food, prizes, coding and demonstration booths. Parents are encouraged to stay, eat and learn more about coding and maybe do a little coding themselves.
The event will begin at 5:15 at the Professional Development Building located in the front parking lot of the high school. This is our chance to change the future of education in Benton. For more information visit our website Benton Coding.
6:00 Hour of Code Begins
7:00 Conclude the Hour of Code and Hand Out Certificates
7:05 Take Group Picture
This is why our school is joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 7-13).
Our Hour of Code is a statement that Benton is ready to teach these foundational 21st century skills. To continue bringing programming activities to your students, we want to make our Hour of Code event huge, so in conjunction with Computer Science Week Benton Public schools is excited to offer their first ever A Night of Code. A Night of Code will be open to all students grades 5-9 to come and enjoy, food, prizes, coding and demonstration booths. Parents are encouraged to stay, eat and learn more about coding and maybe do a little coding themselves.
The event will begin at 5:15 at the Professional Development Building located in the front parking lot of the high school. This is our chance to change the future of education in Benton. For more information visit our website Benton Coding.
5:15 Food and Demonstration Booths
- Sphero SPRK
- Raspberry Pi
- Coding Unplugged
- Code Island Monkey Game
- Binary Code
6:00 Hour of Code Begins
7:00 Conclude the Hour of Code and Hand Out Certificates
7:05 Take Group Picture
When?
Tuesday, Dec 8, 2015, 05:15 PM
Where?