Many educators have a desire to start coding, however, it is complicated. Coding is like learning a new language, math equation, and science all in one. It can present frustration and a challenge that not many people are willing to face. However, let’s break down those fears and misconceptions.
Let’s talk about the benefits of coding. Last post, the triple E framework was discussed- engage, enhance, and extend. Well, coding compliments the triple E framework like peanut butter compliments jelly. When you code, you take a learner from being passive to an active learner. The learner is learning hands on. They can collaborate in groups. And they can have fun doing it. With coding, students can be entertained and learned at the same time.
Coding can enhance learning. Coding, in itself, is a scaffolding process. When you code, you build of what you learn. It is similar to learning a language. You start with the basics, but gradually you take what you learn from the basics and apply them to more advanced skills.
Coding teaches skills like perseverance, determination, problem solving, and other skills sets that are valuable not only in school but in life. This extends the learning. Coding allows students to enhance skills they may not otherwise learn. Yes, it is challenging, Yes, it is frustrating, But the benefits that come out of learning this skills outweigh the frustration and brain-aches you might feel.
In the text, “No Fear Coding’, by Heidi Williams, it discuss the idea of computational learning. Computational thinking is the problem solving process, but it also combines project-based and inquiry- based learning- both of which are important to students. Williams also discusses how coding can allow students to see their thinking within the code itself, and how it takes an abstract concept and makes it more realistic and feasible. Coding also can help create a creative environment for students by allowing them to design and make their own codes.
An easy way to have you, the teacher, and your students get started with coding is through a program called Scratch. It was created through MIT and is user friendly for those of us that are not coding masters.
I did some coding on Scratch, a coding program designed for beginners, and I personally thought it was fun, simple to use, not frustrating, and educational.
Above is a link to a screencast-o-matic of my Scratch project.
Technology 4 Future Educators 
I like how you said when you code, you take a learner from being passive to an active learner. I think that is very important. I learned that coding teaches skills like perseverance, determination and problem solving. I like your title of the blog. It is very clever. I also like how each paragraph is related to a picture that you added, that helps the flow of the blog!
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I love your blog! I like how you say that you take a learner from being passive to an active learner when they code, which is important because they are more hands-on and can explore freely. I also liked your scratch name. What I really love using in scratch are those forever loops. We pretty much use them in every single scenario. Personally I would have liked for you to have used some more loops even if it was just one. I don’t really like how you have to keep pressing the green flag to make it animate itself. The only suggestion I have is for you to check your grammar. I noticed that you started a sentence off with “and” which is unnecessary because with that sentence you can just include it with the previous sentence. “They can collaborate in groups and they can have fun doing it.” You have great ideas though and I loved reading all of what you said. I learned a lot about coding and the many benefits it has. Great work!
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