Coding in the Classroom

1.  It sparks interest. By using puzzles (from Hour of Code) and other easy-to-master resources to introduce coding, students are utterly engaged. 

2.  It opens up a new domain of knowledge. Elementary school is a special time in a child’s life that’s ripe for introducing a new domain of knowledge that will be important to their futures. Whether they become computer scientists or not, the skills they learn from coding will apply to the rest of their lives. 

3.  It addresses the gender gap. When computer science and coding programs are introduced to  young  learners, participation is split evenly among boys and girls. By fifth grade, the same classes see 80 percent participation by boys. 

4.  It leverages the magical power of parents. Elementary students tend to share their excitement about what they’re learning with parents. By middle school, children are less concerned about the approval or engagement of their parents. Little kids still care. 

5.  It provides momentum for Computer Science curriculum. When you bring Computer Science and coding to an elementary school and kids are learning, having fun and gaining a skill important to their futures, you can influence the direction of the curriculum. 

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6.  It helps students meet the ISTE Standards for Students. Coding skills have many applications and they are vital to many of the new ISTE student standards, including Creative Communicator, Computational Thinker and Innovative Designer.

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https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=866&category=In-the-classroom&article=