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- When you code, NOTHING works on the first try. Often students will have to try things multiple times before things work. They will get frustrated and learn how to push through it. They will learn that mistakes are a part of the process and how to move forward. If anyone ever wants to tell a bad coding joke in their class here is my favourite “99 problems with code on the wall, 99 problems with code! Take one down, pass it around, 126 problems with code on the wall!”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- The feedback is instant.\n
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- If something doesn’t work you will know right away. There is not waiting or worry. You are not waiting for feedback from a teacher or peer. You will also know right away if something does work!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- It teaches students how to break tasks down.\n
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- Computers are not mind readers, they will not infer. You need to be completely clear on your code and break down every step of the process. This is a very useful life skill to have!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That being said, here is my favourite way to teach basic coding to students. It’s a fantastic software called\u00a0Code Combat<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cohort21.com\/robingarand\/files\/2020\/10\/Screen-Shot-2020-10-19-at-9.39.05-AM.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCode Combat is a site where you can teach students Python, Java or C++.<\/p>\n
In it, students can pick their own avatar and fight through dungeons<\/a> using code. The levels get increasingly more complex and are surprisingly fun. I have had lots of students develop quite an addiction to solving the problems!<\/p>\n
The other thing that makes Code Combat great? It has built in assessments! Here is a sample grade book they have that allows you to keep track of student work.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cohort21.com\/robingarand\/files\/2020\/10\/Screen-Shot-2020-10-19-at-1.49.52-PM-1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It also creates fun certificates with the student’s avatar to show when they have completed a list of tasks that you can print out and give to your students.
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- Computers are not mind readers, they will not infer. You need to be completely clear on your code and break down every step of the process. This is a very useful life skill to have!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cohort21.com\/robingarand\/files\/2020\/10\/Screen-Shot-2020-10-19-at-1.52.50-PM.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n