Offline coding introduces programming concepts without using a device. Computational thinking is taught using simple problem solving challenges. These can include sequencing steps, recognizing patterns, or navigating an obstacle course.
TechnoKids provides teachers with resources they can use to teach an offline coding activity. All TechnoKids customers have access to free Scratch coding blocks. These are available from the TechnoHub Resource Center. There are two versions including colored and outline. To learn more about these valuable instructional materials read the blog post, Free Scratch Flashcards …
Free Offline Coding Activity using Scratch Blocks Read More »
Here’s an offline coding activity that is ideal for kids: build scripts with large paper Scratch blocks that look like the “real thing”. Scratch is an online platform that introduces children to programming. Students can use Scratch to design animations, stories, puzzles, and games. They do this by controlling the actions of characters called sprites. …
Free Scratch Flashcards for Offline Coding Activity Read More »
Young programmers need to understand the purpose of Python variables. In a program, variables store values that can change. They are very powerful. They can be used to count, create lists, store user input, report information, personalize the user experience, trigger an action, calculate amounts, and more! One of the best ways to learn about …
STEM learning objectives are being included in many school, district, and national curriculum standards. As a result, educators are challenged with creating engaging and challenging instructional materials to teach computer science skills. But most teachers don’t have a technology background, much less knowledge of programming. Here’s some help. Whether you’re using ScratchJr, Scratch, HTML and …
Offline coding activities are an excellent way to introduce children to programming concepts. Consider the inclusion of unplugged exercises to promote computational thinking. These can be interwoven throughout a coding unit or as a jump-off point prior to beginning a project. Refer to the bottom of the article for a free offline coding activity from …
Make real world connections when teaching if then statements to beginners. If then statements are conditionals. A conditional is an action that occurs if something specific happens. If then statements are used in programming to trigger a set of instructions. If then statements can be a difficult concept for young children to understand. To help …
Teaching If Then Statements, Make Real World Connections Read More »
It is important to develop computational thinking. In my last blog about computer science learning standards, I wrote about the benefits of students learning to program. Coding was once thought to be a mysterious, obscure skill restricted to a few masterminds. But in light of the STEM demands of the future job world, it’s now …
