Coding In education

    ‘Coding refers to a list of rules, written in one of numerous programming languages, that instructs a computer to do what a user wants it to do’ (Adams, Backer et al, 2017). Coding makes it possible for us to use apps and websites and play video games.

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     The increase in the use of technology and wold moving towards a digital format, coding is becoming a vital literacy. Furthermore coding has an ability to strengthen a growth mindset and improve skills of communication, meta cognitive thinking, logical thinking, problem-solving and much more.

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    The endless possibilities and vast number of benefits coding can bring to students there is a growing push in Canada and around the world to teach students coding. The Horizon report states, ‘To better prepare learners from a young age, an increasing number of school leaders and technologists are making the case for embedding coding into K–12 curricula. (Adams, Backer et al, 2017).’

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   Coding allows teachers to teach using a different medium that is challenging and engaging while teaching coding literacy. The Horizon report stresses the importance of a ‘deep understanding of the digital environment’ (Adams, Backer et al, 2017). Therefore, to effectively teach coding we need to introduce the concepts of coding for a young age and embed it through out the curriculum.

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    Freeman, A., Adams Becker, S., Cummins, M., Davis, A., and Hall Giesinger, C. (2017). NMC/CoSN Horizon Report: 2017 K–12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.