Differentiating the First Hour of Code and beyond

After the First Hour of Code

Differentiating the First Hour of Code and beyond

What We’ll Explore Today

The range of free resources available for learning/teaching coding How to choose the right sites/apps for the right audience

What We’ll Explore Today

The range of free resources available for learning/teaching coding How to choose the right sites/apps for the right audience

How We’ll Do itI. Sites (all these options)II. 3 Classes of Sites/types of programmingIII. Each participant will take an online

personal inventory to help choose your most appropriate free resource

based on your experiences (“readiness”)/interest

IV. Try the resourceV. Feedback about the process/the app VI. Q and A

Code.org/learn

Lists

“Intr

oduct

ory”

reso

urces

CodeAcademy’s “hour of code” exercise has lots of code spread out over two different files!

I. Sites (all these options)

3 Main Types of CodingA. Code with “blockly” apps

Difficulty: Easy to moderateB. Make a web page

Difficulty: Moderate

C. Learn a “Real” programming language▫Python▫ Javascript

Difficulty: Moderate to advanced

Code.org/learn I. Sites (all these options)

So what ways can we differentiate?

▫Interest Web design (css/html) Programming (javascript or Python

▫Readiness Drag and Drop Coding Hand Coding

….Differentiation 101

Personal inventory

A) Blockly Apps

Resource: Various –including Scratch and Code.org

Good foundation before moving on to serious programming

Middle or High Schoolers

No experience with these or with coding? Then, do 3 or 4 of them.

I. Sites (all these options)

B) Make a Web Page

•Make a web page▫This involves learning HTML and CSS

•Who is this “right” for▫More visually oriented people▫ “coding” ▫not “programming language” ▫ “Markup” webpages (HTML is a “Markup

Language”)

Resource : www.codeacademy.com

I. Sites (all these options)

C) “Real” programming language

•More challenging, in general•Stronger kids•Still many options

▫codecombat.com ▫penjee.com ▫codeacademy.com

I. Sites (all these options)

C) Which LanguageI. Sites (all these options)

Python vs javascript Python Javascript

if a is not 5 : if (a != 5) { …

if a is 5 : if (a == 5) { ..

while (a is True and b is False) : python code

while ( a == true && b == false) { }

while (a is True or B is False) : while ( a == true || b == false) { …

print “hi there” console.log(“hi there”)

not penjee.isWater( ahead) ! penjee.isWater( ahead)

All things equal, choose PYTHON

As a Teacher, what should you do?•Not a coder yourself?

▫ Ok, but try the blockly sites before sending kids▫Your ability to differentiate will be somewhat

limited

•Blockly apps before “Real” Language

•Python next !

•Then whatever you want

Take the Personal Inventory

•http://teachcoding.club/hour-of-code/inventory/

•This url will lead you through a series of questions .

•Based on your answers, you will be directed to one of the various free coding websites.

•Do the activity, and we’ll re-convene in the last 5-10 mins for any questions/feedback.