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An Hour of Coding Matters

12/7/2016

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Peering over the shoulder of a teacher at the recent Basics of Coding workshop, I remembered the initial block-programming projects within my 10th-grade Foundations of Programming class. Seeing the teachers’ stumble and use trial-and-error based solutions to the coding challenges presented in the Minecraft tutorial reminded me of my frustrations with JavaScript. Recognizing the valuable STEM and programming principles I’d learned through my programming classes only strengthened my appreciation to have such exposure and my commitment to help others without the same opportunities.

    A significant portion of this commitment lies in coordinating and conducting Hour of Code workshops throughout the county. There are those who view Hour of Code as “childish” or “deceiving”, as programming isn’t just interacting with your favorite Disney character with block based commands. Despite these claims, our team has found that Hour of Code is an effective tool to offer programming exposure students with no experience. The relatable characters, easy block-based functions and methods, and the occasional celebrity cameos within the tutorials all contribute to creating an immersive experience for students to learn the basics of programming.

    Hour of Code allows students to be immersed in a new world, if only for a moment. They learn to design and create a product that they can call their own, enjoy learning through a hands-on method that isn't usually utilized in the classroom. Many students do not have as much exposure with coding as they do with other subjects, and they become fascinated with it. Coding is rapidly becoming a method by which any person, no matter how young, can begin to thrive and express themselves. This, too, is evident in the very fibers of Hour of Code. Students pick their activities and choose to complete projects that appeal to their interests. Few other programs are willing to go through the trouble to cater to young students.

    Our team has strived to uphold opportunity for all students to develop skills like computational thinking, problem-solving, and logic; skills that will benefit them in their future careers and lives. We know that reliance on technology will increase in the future, and we recognize that it is our job to make sure that others not only consume its benefits but become active in its development.
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So, while Hour of Code may only be 60 minutes long, its impact can have a lasting effect for decades to come.   
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    High school students with goal to engage underrepresented K-8 students in robotics, programming & technology by using hands-on and self-guided project-based learning beyond the classrooms.  

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