This year I have introduced two new web-based programs that the students can access at home. All of the students experienced code.org last year but I did not set it up for home use.
In every class that I have had working in code.org this year, the students have been very excited. They are really happy that they can continue exploring and learning at home. I am happy that I took the time to set up all of the classes and students so that I can track their progress. I have figured out what I want the students to accomplish each year (my coding curriculum) as well as allowing students to go beyond and learn as much as they want. My only challenge with coding is getting the parents to understand that their children are doing it. I have been assessing coding on the report cards for years but I am still getting asked whether I teach coding.
I have also introduced Keyboarding without Tears this year. So far about 4 grades have tried it and so far the students are very excited about it. The students who used a different program last year say that they like KWT much better. This is also a program that is web-based so that students can work on it at home at their own pace. One student, who did not do much keyboarding last year because it seemed too hard, has already completed the most sections. I am very encouraged by the success that the students are already having with this program and I can’t wait to see how it improves everyone’s keyboarding skills this year. Even the SK students are learning how to keyboard using the proper fingers!!!
Thanks for this post Cathy! As a secondary school teacher I take keyboarding skills for granted but there is always a group of students who struggle with it. Thanks for sharing these ressources – it’s something that although I teach French I can always offer as an aside for students who are struggling to keep up in our 1:1 learning environment.