Coding
What exactly is coding? Coding is what makes it possible for us to create computer software, apps and websites. Your browser, the apps on your phone, Facebook, and this website – they’re all made with code.
There are several resources for learning how to code, but the first one we will start out with is code.org. |
Learning to Code = Learning Computational Thinking
Anyone can learn to code. In a few hours you can pick up the basic skills and in a few weeks you will be able to build useful applications and websites. Why is it important for children to learn how to code? The next generation's world will be even more online and digital. Pretty soon, your house will be controlled with software, some medical care will be delivered over the web, and your car may even drive itself!
Will every job in the future involve programming? No. But it is still crucial that every child learns to code. This is not just about equipping the next generation to work as software engineers, it is about promoting computational thinking. Computational thinking is how software engineers solve problems. It combines mathematics, logic and algorithms, and teaches you a new way to think about the world.
Computational thinking teaches you how to tackle large problems by breaking them down into a sequence of smaller, more manageable problems. It allows you to tackle complex problems in efficient ways that operate at huge scale. It involves creating models of the real world with a suitable level of abstraction, and focus on the most pertinent aspects. It helps you go from specific solutions to general ones.
The applications of this approach stretch beyond writing software. Fields as diverse as mechanical engineering, fluid mechanics, physics, biology, archaeology and music are applying the computational approach. In business we are beginning to understand that markets often follow rules that can be discerned using computational analysis.
Computational thinking is a skill that everyone should learn. Even if you never become a professional software engineer, you will benefit from knowing how to think this way. It will help you understand and master technology of all sorts and solve problems in almost any discipline.
Will every job in the future involve programming? No. But it is still crucial that every child learns to code. This is not just about equipping the next generation to work as software engineers, it is about promoting computational thinking. Computational thinking is how software engineers solve problems. It combines mathematics, logic and algorithms, and teaches you a new way to think about the world.
Computational thinking teaches you how to tackle large problems by breaking them down into a sequence of smaller, more manageable problems. It allows you to tackle complex problems in efficient ways that operate at huge scale. It involves creating models of the real world with a suitable level of abstraction, and focus on the most pertinent aspects. It helps you go from specific solutions to general ones.
The applications of this approach stretch beyond writing software. Fields as diverse as mechanical engineering, fluid mechanics, physics, biology, archaeology and music are applying the computational approach. In business we are beginning to understand that markets often follow rules that can be discerned using computational analysis.
Computational thinking is a skill that everyone should learn. Even if you never become a professional software engineer, you will benefit from knowing how to think this way. It will help you understand and master technology of all sorts and solve problems in almost any discipline.
Benefits of Learning to Code
In additional to learning computational thinking skills, there are several benefits of learning how to code:
- Create an app
- Make your own website
- Get a job in computer programming
- Start a business
- Understand how computers work
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Coding: The "Foreign Language" of Today and Tomorrow
Learn to Code with Sphero
I am excited to announce that this year, our class has three Sphero robots that we will be using to bring our coding to life!