Elementary Computer Science and Coding Articles

A Pen by Curtis Andres

Elementary Computer Science and Coding Articles

Elementary ​from 2016 and 2017 NMC CoSN Horizon Report

Add Coding to Your Elementary Curriculum… Right Now go.nmc.org/addingc (Links to an external site.) (Matt Harrell, Edutopia, 17 March 2015.) The author implores schools to make coding part of their fabric, citing children’s desire to use their computers and tablets to build and create useful things. Five tips for introducing coding are recommended.
Coding in the Armenian Classroom: A Quiet Revolution go.nmc.org/codarm (Links to an external site.) (Lilit Petrosyan, The Armenian Weekly, 17 November 2016.) A secondary school in Gargar, Armenia, served as a coding hub during the summer. Over nearly two weeks, children from grades two to five learned the foundations of coding through gaming and visual art elements using learning materials sourced from Code.org. The pilot project was a success and education leaders have plans to create more after-school coding opportunities.
Modern Literacy: Teaching Elementary Students How to Code go.nmc.org/codcomp (Links to an external site.) (Denizhan Pak, Roosevelt Institute, accessed 10 August 2017.) In Knox County School District, elementary students learn Boolean logic in first-grade math classes followed by programming-inspired games in second and third grades, before tackling more theoretical classes in Python in grades four and five.

K-12 from 2016 and 2017 NMC CoSN Horizon Report

Coding Education in Schools: Crucial as English and Maths — Or is It? go.nmc.org/orisit (Links to an external site.) (Colleen Ricci, The Age, 7 June 2015.) Australian parliament members are working to ensure coding is taught at all primary schools across the continent by 2020. The aim is to foster students who can design and operate the apps and devices that will fuel Australia’s future economy.
Coding In K12 Computer Science: It Starts From Your Imagination go.nmc.org/startsfrom (Links to an external site.) (Jason Rukman, eLearning Industry, 2 July 2016.) The author laments that K-12 computer science lessons are too often derived from traditional academic methods that favor the absorption of concepts over demonstrating imagination. The inclusion of coding in digital storytelling and project-based pedagogies can help students learn programming while giving them the autonomy to explore their own creativity.
How to Teach Coding and Programming go.nmc.org/howtoteach (Links to an external site.) (The Guardian, 1 September 2015.) This article encompasses examples, resources, and affordable digital tools for primary and secondary educators looking to introduce coding into their learning environments.
A New Model for Coding in Schools go.nmc.org/anewmod (Links to an external site.) (Digital Promise, 4 August 2015.) Digital Promise points to the successful coding model of South Fayette Township School District in rural Pennsylvania. Coding is embedded in the school culture as elementary school children begin with block-based coding and high schoolers participate in AP computer science, Java and Python coding, as well as software development teams.
24 Coding Programs Boosting Diversity in Tech go.nmc.org/divtech (Links to an external site.) (Kadenze Blog, 15 October 2016.) While minorities and women continue to be underrepresented in the tech industry, this post highlights 24 international programs, such as Women Who Code, #YesWeCode, and We Can Code It, that are addressing the disparity through a variety of approaches.
Trends in the State of Computer Science in U.S. K–12 Schools go.nmc.org/statecom (Links to an external site.) (Google Inc. and Gallup Inc., accessed 13 July 2017.) While the importance of building coding literacy for future success is well noted, its integration in schools remains uneven. This report highlights that only 60% of schools surveyed offered at least one computer science course, underscoring the need for more urgency in the embedding of coding instruction in schools.