21st Century Classroom - Kids and Code

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Coding is fun. More so when it is integrated into classroom. I was more than delighted when @raycmercer invited me to witness his bright 3/4/5 grade students doing programming at Hour of Code event. By looking at the enthusiasm in children that day I wish that I had such an opportunity when I was younger. I would have certainly grown into a much better thinker, and of course, a more skilled coder.

Hour of Code is an initiative of code.org based on the claim that every student in every school should get an opportunity to learn how to program computers. Following this tow, they organize week long events in schools where passionate teachers like Mr. Mercer volunteer their time and energies to teach their students the basics of coding. Needless to mention that most schools in the world do not offer programming as a regular course. 

It came as a pleasant surprise to me that children are much more adept at understanding and applying the concepts of computer programming than we imagine them to be. However, educators and parents may develop reservations that what is the point in investing so much in a skill at K-12 level that may be learnt later in life by individuals who wish to pursue a career in it. 

Why Learn Coding?

It may appear to be mere technical knowledge on surface, but deep down it helps enhance many of the essential mental skills that parents most desperately wish their children could learn. For instance;

• observing and understanding patterns of various aspects of human life and nature;
• deep thinking, abstract thinking, inquiry based learning, planning, application of ideas;
• thinking incrementally, logically and objectively;
• problem solving;
• strengthening creative muscles of brain.

Most importantly, coding aides in learning in general. It also gives them an insight into the technology shaping their world. Moreover, it gives them a winning attitude based on consistency and resilience. In short, if the Hour of Code initiative succeeds it will ensure a highly intelligent and competitive future generation.

21st Century Classroom - Raspberry Pi vs Odroid U3 >>

In my future posts I shall further explore the scope of technology in the field of education.Subscribe to my blog, or follow me on twitter, to keep track of these posts.