Grenada Workshop
Code.org : Hour of Code
From Dr. Camille Rutherford
Computational Thinking / Coding in the Classroom Workshop
The interns that choose to focus on Computational Thinking & Coding will assist to facilitate a workshop that provides educators with an introduction to computational thinking and how to integrate coding into the classroom (even without having computers in their classroom). This workshop will consist of three Hour of Code activities that highlight the continuum of computational thinking and how fun, simple, kinesthetic introductory activities, that don’t require computers, can be used to create a foundation of computational thinking skills to prepare students to engage in more complex coding tasks that foster ‘future ready’ academic and technical skills.
Previous coding and technical skills are not needed. Completing the activities below will provide you with the skill, knowledge, and confidence needed to assist the workshop facilitator.
You will also be asked to share your insight regarding how this workshop:
- Supports the UN Global Goals
- Fosters the development of Future Ready Skills
- Foster international educator capacity development
- Can be used to support Faculty of Education international educational development opportunities/partnerships
Computational Thinking and its importance in education
This course is designed for all educators from all subject areas who would like to know more about computational thinking and how it can be applied within cross-curricular educational settings.
At the end of this course, participants will know:
- What Computational Thinking is and what it isn’t
- The components of Computational Thinking
- How Computational Thinking is applied in various educational settings
Code.org® is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. Our vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science, just like biology, chemistry or algebra. Code.org provides the leading curriculum for K-12 computer science in the largest school districts in the United States and Code.org also organizes the annual Hour of Code campaign which has engaged 10% of all students in the world.
A huge goal of the Hour of Code is to break stereotypes in computing and lower barriers for girls and underrepresented groups to enter the field. So, we’re thrilled that the post-Hour of Code survey indicates that 50% of this year’s participants were female. Our hope is that they are inspired to continue studying CS and ultimately bring more diversity into the workforce.
The Hour of Code is designed to demystify code and show that computer science is not rocket science—anybody can learn the basics. Over 100 million students worldwide have tried an Hour of Code. The demand for relevant 21st-century computer science education crosses all borders and knows no boundaries.
Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of Code.org
Hour of Code: Facilitator Training
Guiding Questions:
- What is Hour of Code (HOC) and what are the benefits of bringing an HOC to my students?
- How can I relate the HOC course to the rest of my curriculum?
- Where can I find resources to lead an HOC?
- What will give me the confidence to lead an HOC for my students?
https://education.microsoft.com/courses-and-resources/courses/hour-of-code-facilitator-training
Code.org : Hour of Code
Code.org® is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. Our vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science, just like biology, chemistry or algebra. Code.org provides the leading curriculum for K-12 computer science in the largest school districts in the United States and Code.org also organizes the annual Hour of Code campaign which has engaged 10% of all students in the world.
A huge goal of the Hour of Code is to break stereotypes in computing and lower barriers for girls and underrepresented groups to enter the field. So, we’re thrilled that the post-Hour of Code survey indicates that 50% of this year’s participants were female. Our hope is that they are inspired to continue studying CS and ultimately bring more diversity into the workforce.
The Hour of Code is designed to demystify code and show that computer science is not rocket science—anybody can learn the basics. Over 100 million students worldwide have tried an Hour of Code. The demand for relevant 21st-century computer science education crosses all borders and knows no boundaries.
Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of Code.org
Below are some recommended Hour of Code activities:
Hour of Code: Dance Party
This lesson introduces the core CS concepts of coding and event programming (using blocks). In this lesson, learners of all ages get an introductory experience with coding and computer science in a safe, supportive environment. This lesson has been designed for learners of all ages but does require reading. This activity requires sound as the tool was built to respond to music.
Students will be able to:
- Develop programs that respond to timed events
- Develop programs that respond to user input
- Create dance animations with code
Hour of Code: Dance Party Resources: https://code.org/dance
‘Students can’t get enough’: Hour of Code 2018 inspires students to go beyond an hour
https://medium.com/@codeorg/recapping-our-largest-hour-of-code-ever-61a24453438c
The Hour of Code has grown every year since it began in 2013, but 2018 was truly one for the books. Not only was there a record-breaking number of Hour of Code events registered around the world, teachers repeatedly told us, their students kept wanting to do more!
“My students loved Dance Party. When we have indoor recess, a couple of my students now choose to go onto Code.org for their free time. They can’t seem to get enough of the activities.”—Jillian H., public middle school teacher from Virginia
In November and December, social media was flooded with posts about #HourOfCode, many featuring teachers, students and staff coding and dancing along with the colorful characters! During CSEdWeek alone, 31,406 users published 66,030 posts, with a potential 473,587,749 impressions.
Dance Part Video Guide
Move it, Move it
Students create simple algorithms (sets of instructions) to move a character through a maze using a single command.
https://studio.code.org/s/course1/stage/2/puzzle/1
Happy Maps
https://studio.code.org/s/course1/stage/1/puzzle/1
Students create simple algorithms (sets of instructions) to move a character through a maze using a single command.
Lightbot
http://lightbot.com/hour-of-code.html
Lightbot’s lessons come in the form of a game, in which a little robot navigates a maze and turns on lights. You arrange symbols on the screen to command the robot to walk, turn, jump, switch on a light and so on. The maze and the list of symbols become more complicated as the lessons move on. What you’re actually doing is learning quite complex ideas in coding like loops, procedures and more — even though you are not typing in any sort of computer code that you may recognize.
Lightbot is extremely easy to use and has a simple interface. Though the problems you have to solve may seem basic at first, they do become quite tricky, so even though this is technically a children’s app I don’t think adults will find it patronizing.
In Lightbot, students must program a robot with commands to solve puzzles. Students may play the game in the Browser (requires Flash Player), or on Android or iOS devices.
“How does Lightbot teach programming?” explains the concept of “Coding” and how it should be defined in class, as well as how coding is used in Lightbot. Teachers should play through the first few levels of the game, using “Hour of Code ’15 Solns” as reference.
When using the game in class, first demonstrate to students how to solve the first 1 or 2 levels of the game, and then let them continue on their own or in pairs.
How does Lightbot teach programming? (PDF)
An explanation of Lightbot and how it relates to teaching core programming skills and the basics of Computer Science. Includes high-level overviews as well as low-level technical terminology.
LessonPlan : Lightbot Basics (PDF)
Ages 5-9: An intro to the basic level set for Lightbot Hour of Code™. Includes how to set up and introduce Lightbot, as well as questions to ask following the activity.
Ages 5-9: Printable Lightbot icons for doing an ‘unplugged’ activity in class.
