Behind every computer program, internet website, Smart Phone and tablet App and video game, there is a code. It’s that code that tells those systems step-by-step what to do and how to function properly, but how is it created?
That’s what fifth-grade teacher Shannon Dodt is teaching students at Oxford Elementary in the after school ‘Coding Club.?
‘It’s just a voluntary club after school to do computer programming,? Dodt said.
Dodt got her first taste of programming back when she was required to take it in college.
‘It ended up being a class I really enjoyed,? she said. ‘I liked how it taught math, problem solving and logic at the same time as a computer programming language.?
Having a love and appreciation for programming, Dodt decided to start Coding Club for those that were interested in not just playing video games or visiting websites, but creating them. When she launched the club last school year, she had 10 students join, who were almost all girls.
‘It made me happy because as a girl who loves math and science and computers I like to see that other girls are feeling comfortable to do those things too, because they are very, under-represented in the field,? she said.
When she put the word out in a letter and e-mail to teachers and parents of anyone interested in joining the club this year, 30 kids responded.
‘I’m surprised a little bit at how many kids have signed up,? she said. ‘I had a summer camp and (some students) came to that, so I have a couple kids who have done it for a couple years now.?
The club was also originally named ‘Popcorn Club.?
‘We made popcorn every time, but it was really messy with the computers with the butter and everything so we have the kids, bring their own snack this year,? she noted.
Dodt explained that ‘there are a lot of teachers who are excited about teaching programming and the kids are so invested in the products of programming.?
‘But it’s hard to produce those things,? she said. ‘So I kind of wanted to get these kids started early, so they would feel more comfortable to perhaps pursue these fields later in life.?
She noted that her daughter is currently studying computer science in college.
‘She is not the best at it, but she knows she is going to get a really great job and there is a lot of job security and there is such a shortage down the road of people being able to program and produce the things we all use,? Dodt said. ‘For kids to have this as an avenue to pursue, I think, is just very empowering.?
Learning to Code
The students are learning to code through the website www.code.org, a website that was launched in 2013.
‘Code.org? is a non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available in more schools, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. Our vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science. We believe computer science and computer programming should be part of the core curriculum in education, alongside other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses such as biology, physics, chemistry and algebra,? stated the website.
Code.org offers a 20 hour course working from beginner courses on up to more advanced coding. The program is game based, so the kids progress at their own pace, according to Dodt. At the beginning stages, Code.org uses the popular games ‘Plants vs. Zombies? and ‘Angry Birds,? to ‘hook them in, but some of the harder stuff comes later.?
Once the 20 hour course is completed, the students receive a certificate which Dodt places above her classroom door.
‘Then I kind of push them to do some more advance language based,? she said. ‘Some of what they do now is like buttons you connect and they’re written in regular language like English. Once they get the idea of some of the basics like (how to do) loops and the way it works, then they learn the actual (code) text language.?
Students learn Javascript, which deals with gaming and moving characters In the more advanced levels of Code, they start learning HTML, which what is used to create websites.
‘One student already has a website and games.? noted Dodt. ‘I have a few kids in here who are probably surpassing me in my own knowledge so I have to keep up with what I know so I can help them because they’re just really good and they do it a lot and they do it at home.?
‘There are some kids who aren’t as excited about the work and they don’t get as far, but they still enjoy the experience,? she continued. ‘It’s a great thing for those kids (who) are maybe not as athletic and this is their thing and it validates them, which I love.?
As far as electronic devices go Dodt said they use iPads, laptops including Chromebooks and Netbooks, as well as their own personal devices with apps. Dodt even bought herself a ‘Smart Watch, which allows her to check e-mail, download apps, and is even synced with her Smart Phone, so if she can’t find her phone she can make her phone ring even if it’s on ‘silent? mode through her watch.
‘It’s pretty cool,? she said. ‘I have a smart watch because we’re using these (technological) things so much and the kids are really excited because it’s programming and it’s on a computer, so I leverage that interest that they have.?
What do the students think?
Fifth Grader Andrew Haselton, says Coding club ‘introduces people to something that can change the world and is really fun.?
Haselton said he got involved in coding over the summer at Dodt’s Code Camp.
‘I like coding because there are unlimited possibilities of what you can do and you can be creative and do it in different ways,? he said. ‘So, that if somebody does something you think is cool, you can try and do it again, but in a different way.?
An example he used is the game ‘Cookie Clicker.?
‘I’m trying to make a game like Cookie Clicker in my own way without looking at anybody else’s,? Haselton said. ‘So I can say that (I did it) without looking at anybody else’s?
Fellow classmate Madison Hunley said she’s ‘always been good at computers and she originally got involved in the club because she thought it ‘sounded like fun.?
‘I notice how (code) is involved in everything in the tech world,? she said. ‘I’ve always been ‘techy? I guess.?
Fifth grader John Berger likes Coding Club because ‘it’s a new experience to learn.?
‘You can teach others how to do it and show them how to be communicators and risk-taker,? he said. ?(I also like that) you can create anything that comes to mind.?
Code.org also put together what was called the ‘Hour of Code,? back in December which was a global movement to focus on exposing students to and getting them excited about computer science.’Dodt’s Coding Club students participated in a school-wide effort where they helped other students in the school learn how to code.
‘I think it was good because if people wanted to join Code (Club they got) to see if they liked it and see if they wanted to do it,? said Alyssa Pusey.
‘I thought it was pretty awesome teaching kids who had never done it before,? John Berger added.
Oxford Middle School Project Lead the Way teacher Mrs. Daversa, also led a middle-school wide initiative for students to participate in the Hour of Code event.
Code Club meets every Monday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Media Center. All students third through fifth grade are welcome. Berger offered this advice to his fellow Wildcats
‘Sign up for code club, it’s really fun,? he said. ‘Be awesome and don’t freak out if you don’t get (through) the level the first time, just keep trying and keep trying.?