Code in Every Class: Sparking Student Interest
Coding sometimes is intimidating to students, especially high school or middle school students. According to Brookhouser and Megnin (2016), dispelling the myth that if a student is bad at math, then they cannot code. It is crucial that teachers send a clear message that anyone who invests time and practice in math tools can excel in coding. Coding is about trial and error, and the more a student fails, then more learning can take place. "Coding is fixing, and failure is fun!" (p. 65).
Here is a TEDTalk video Let’s Teach Kids to Code by Mitch Resnik of MIT Media Lab. Resnik (2012) outlines that "coding isn't just for computer whizzes, -- it's for everyone. It's almost like students have learned to read with digital devices, but they haven't learned to write with digital devices. When you learn to code, you can code to learn.”
Another way to spark student interest to coding is to "welcome non-programmers [and programmers] from their community" (Brookhouser & Megnin, 2016). Also, show them with field trips and guest speakers that "tech pays off," as well as flexible working hours, playful work environments, solid opportunities for professional growth, a sense of autonomy, and intangible projects that could change the world (p. 36).
Why not practice a healthy debate in the classroom regarding what tech careers are needed, and whether or not the students feel they could get such a job? According to Hicks (2013), healthy argumentative dialogue is paramount for digital literacy. This skill is important for our students to not only identify factual information, but to share that information on social media and be able to defend that information with research based evidence. Teacher should discuss the path to computer science careers by using an Info-graphic, like the one shown below.
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References
Brookhouser, K., & Megnin, R. (2017). Code in every class. S.l.: EDTECH TEAM.
Hicks, T. (2013). Crafting digital writing: composing texts across media and genres.
Turner, K. H., & Hicks, T. (2017). Argument in the real world: teaching adolescents to
read and write digital texts. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
I agree that coding can teach students important problem solving skills. Brookhouser and Megnin (2016) state that technology and computer science jobs are some of the highest paying and fastest growing job markets. In order to prepare students to be successful in this job market, educators need to expose students to technology and coding in the classroom. Not only does coding need to be included in the classroom, but students need to be aware of futures in technology and computer science. Teachers can do this by having students research science and technology fields and guest speakers.
ReplyDeleteBrooke,
ReplyDeleteI think it is very important to emphasize again and agin how coding is about constantly fixing and improving the bugs. When student encounter this setback or failure, many will go back into the "bad at math" myth. However, we should teach students to celebrate the setback because it makes their product better and will only prepare them should they choose a profession that has anything to do with technology or coding. As Brookhouser and Megnin (2016) stated, "but all computer programmers- from preteen amateurs to full-time professionals- experience bugs, errors, and frustrations all the time" (p. 66).
I also focused my blog on sparking interest in coding. I think I am more scared to teach in than my students are to learn it. Brookhouser & Megnin(2016) stated, Addressing potential fears directly gives students the tools they need to fight through their inner saboteur". I think that going over common coding mistakes really is the best idea!
ReplyDelete