H is for Hour of Code
What is the Hour of Code?
Hour of Code is a worldwide movement designed to introduce kids to computer science and computer programming. There are several introductory computer programming lessons that last for about an hour. If a teacher is interested in taking the Hour of Code further, they can do modules and lessons with their class that can last as long as they want.
Hour of Code is a worldwide movement designed to introduce kids to computer science and computer programming. There are several introductory computer programming lessons that last for about an hour. If a teacher is interested in taking the Hour of Code further, they can do modules and lessons with their class that can last as long as they want.
Why spend valuable classroom time on an Hour of Code?
In some ways, computer science and computer programming has become like a lost art, and yet we live in a world where nearly everything we utilize in a day has been programmed by a computer scientist! Think about it - your cell phone, microwave, online banking, every internet site, your tv etc. etc. etc. Presently as well as in the future, there are going to be lots of jobs in this sector. Writing code also develops skills that are extremely valuable in students that can be transferred to other subject areas, like logical reasoning, thinking and planning ahead, and communicating in written form. I noticed that students who excel in mathematics and problem solving picked up coding much faster than students who struggle with logical and methodical reasoning skills. It also forces the students to problem solve on their own and gain independence. They have to be comfortable with making mistakes, correcting them, and then showing someone else how to solve the same problem. The chatter in my computer lab during the Hour of Code was very exciting - the students were so engaged with what they were doing!
Watch this video for more information about why computer programming and coding is so important in today's world. This video is part of the introductory piece that the teacher runs through with students before beginning the Hour of Code.
In some ways, computer science and computer programming has become like a lost art, and yet we live in a world where nearly everything we utilize in a day has been programmed by a computer scientist! Think about it - your cell phone, microwave, online banking, every internet site, your tv etc. etc. etc. Presently as well as in the future, there are going to be lots of jobs in this sector. Writing code also develops skills that are extremely valuable in students that can be transferred to other subject areas, like logical reasoning, thinking and planning ahead, and communicating in written form. I noticed that students who excel in mathematics and problem solving picked up coding much faster than students who struggle with logical and methodical reasoning skills. It also forces the students to problem solve on their own and gain independence. They have to be comfortable with making mistakes, correcting them, and then showing someone else how to solve the same problem. The chatter in my computer lab during the Hour of Code was very exciting - the students were so engaged with what they were doing!
Watch this video for more information about why computer programming and coding is so important in today's world. This video is part of the introductory piece that the teacher runs through with students before beginning the Hour of Code.
What was my experience with the Hour of Code?
I had never taken any type of computer programming in my life, and did not even know what code was, so this one took me out of my comfort zone a lot! I completed an introductory hour with my students and they loved it, so I plan on continuing with the program. I chose to do the lesson called "Write your first computer program" which can be found at http://studio.code.org/hoc/1. I chose this lesson because of the age group of my students that afternoon - grades 5-9. They went through twenty problems at their own pace until everyone had solved the final puzzle. Those that finished early had time to experiment with other options in the one hour menu. The great thing is that there are teacher notes all ready to print, and you can just follow the guide provided with prompts, attached videos, and solutions for each problem. In the end, I am so glad I took the chance and stretched myself!
Read my student's comments below in an exit slip I did with them using a program called www.polleverywhere.com.
I had never taken any type of computer programming in my life, and did not even know what code was, so this one took me out of my comfort zone a lot! I completed an introductory hour with my students and they loved it, so I plan on continuing with the program. I chose to do the lesson called "Write your first computer program" which can be found at http://studio.code.org/hoc/1. I chose this lesson because of the age group of my students that afternoon - grades 5-9. They went through twenty problems at their own pace until everyone had solved the final puzzle. Those that finished early had time to experiment with other options in the one hour menu. The great thing is that there are teacher notes all ready to print, and you can just follow the guide provided with prompts, attached videos, and solutions for each problem. In the end, I am so glad I took the chance and stretched myself!
Read my student's comments below in an exit slip I did with them using a program called www.polleverywhere.com.
Where can I get more information?
Go to the Hour of Code website for resources, teacher notes, lesson options, and to sign up. I know my explanation seems very abstract, but once you start digging around, the program kind of explains itself.
Go to the Hour of Code website for resources, teacher notes, lesson options, and to sign up. I know my explanation seems very abstract, but once you start digging around, the program kind of explains itself.