Cracking the code.... rgb = offset = var = size = = =

Coding has always seemed like a nightmare of letters and numbers that to a normal person like me makes NO sense at all! I always knew it was there in the background and that everything had a particular meaning but using activities with a step by step approach such as Code Monster makes it easy to understand in small chunks. Stepping through this website has, and will do the same for the students I teach, allowed me to increase my abilities to create digital technologies and resources. One of the main benefits of using a program such as Code Monster is that it allows students to see both sides of the coding at the same time, that they can see the changes they are making side by side so the coding they are changing shows right in front of them. This makes it more realistic and comprehendible for students.

Once again actually allowing students to DO IT will have the best possible outcome.

Another great site to use is the Khan Academy. It has a similar layout but break the process down into a small tutorial followed by a step by step challenge to be completed. Students can accumulate points and step through a range of activities and challenges.

For the younger children an app such as Scratch Jnr is a great way to introduce coding. It provides a platform that allows them to have fun, create characters that they can relate to or interest them and then tell a story using coding blocks. Students from age 5 could easily learn to use this app and in either small group tasks or individually could create some amazing stories and tales. Working in small groups may help with the creation of ideas and allow students to explore further than they might if working on their own.

It could be interesting to have students in the lower grades create a presentation of their show and tell which used an app such as Scratch Jnr. This could then be presented to the class rather than students having to personally do it. An activity such as this would help students develop their knowledge and understanding in the digital systems sub strand and also develop their processes and skills in the collaborating and managing sub strand.