By Ishita A.
What is the first thing you think of when it comes to computer programming? Google? Facebook? Microsoft? Call of Duty? Some guy from IT?
Well these are just a very tiny fraction of the vast connections to computer programming. Almost everything in our life is programmed to serve a specific function: cars, laptops, cell phones, televisions, the Internet, and none of us would want to live without them.
Starting December 9th, the Wappingers Central School District has been hosting the Hour of Code. This program was started two years ago in January by Hadi Patrovi who believes that coding is an important tool for children to learn and understand. The Hour of Code is a voluntary hour long program to encourage students from elementary school and up to pursue computer programming by exposing them to the field through step-by-step tutorials and coding exercises. There were tutorials with Minecraft, Flappy Bird, Star Wars, and Artist. After completing the tasks, students were given a certificate. Their work could even be sent to their phones and other people. This year, this program was enacted in thousands of schools worldwide as students sat down and opened the door to coding.
At John Jay, Mrs. Salazzo remarked that she saw a change in perspective towards computer programming because of this program. Students were comparing their work and trying to learn new skills from their classmates, excited by the prospect of being able to create something extremely cool on the computer. Students were proudly downloading their work onto their phones to share with their friends and family. The program showed students what they are capable of and that computer science is not all that inaccessible.
What was amazing to hear was that 6 out 11 students participating in the Hour of Code were female! Generally, women are not really seen in the field of computer programming, but this new way of problem-solving has brought new female interest into the field. As a whole, students and teachers are spreading the word and sharing their skills because of this program and, girl or boy, it was fun and exciting for all.
According to Mrs. Salazzo, “Coding is basically like a recipe because it involves very specific items”. It takes time and keen observance to code, but anyone can learn the fundamentals.
Fortunately, there are various courses offered online that teach the basics or the intricacies of computer science for free. There are sites like coursera.com, code.org, and edx.org, as well as the various computer programming courses offered by the school: Computer Programming 1 + 2, AP Computer Science, Word Processing and Digital Electronics. Check out the school’s course handbook under the math, business and technology sections for more courses related in some aspect to computer science!
Even you can start coding; all you need is to be able to think, solve problems, and have fun!
© 2016 Ishita A. All rights reserved.
What is the first thing you think of when it comes to computer programming? Google? Facebook? Microsoft? Call of Duty? Some guy from IT?
Well these are just a very tiny fraction of the vast connections to computer programming. Almost everything in our life is programmed to serve a specific function: cars, laptops, cell phones, televisions, the Internet, and none of us would want to live without them.
Starting December 9th, the Wappingers Central School District has been hosting the Hour of Code. This program was started two years ago in January by Hadi Patrovi who believes that coding is an important tool for children to learn and understand. The Hour of Code is a voluntary hour long program to encourage students from elementary school and up to pursue computer programming by exposing them to the field through step-by-step tutorials and coding exercises. There were tutorials with Minecraft, Flappy Bird, Star Wars, and Artist. After completing the tasks, students were given a certificate. Their work could even be sent to their phones and other people. This year, this program was enacted in thousands of schools worldwide as students sat down and opened the door to coding.
At John Jay, Mrs. Salazzo remarked that she saw a change in perspective towards computer programming because of this program. Students were comparing their work and trying to learn new skills from their classmates, excited by the prospect of being able to create something extremely cool on the computer. Students were proudly downloading their work onto their phones to share with their friends and family. The program showed students what they are capable of and that computer science is not all that inaccessible.
What was amazing to hear was that 6 out 11 students participating in the Hour of Code were female! Generally, women are not really seen in the field of computer programming, but this new way of problem-solving has brought new female interest into the field. As a whole, students and teachers are spreading the word and sharing their skills because of this program and, girl or boy, it was fun and exciting for all.
According to Mrs. Salazzo, “Coding is basically like a recipe because it involves very specific items”. It takes time and keen observance to code, but anyone can learn the fundamentals.
Fortunately, there are various courses offered online that teach the basics or the intricacies of computer science for free. There are sites like coursera.com, code.org, and edx.org, as well as the various computer programming courses offered by the school: Computer Programming 1 + 2, AP Computer Science, Word Processing and Digital Electronics. Check out the school’s course handbook under the math, business and technology sections for more courses related in some aspect to computer science!
Even you can start coding; all you need is to be able to think, solve problems, and have fun!
© 2016 Ishita A. All rights reserved.
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| Hour of Code in the Library |