Coding in Kindergarten
As our time learning about Computer Science and Coding in Kindergarten comes to an end I am filled with pride as these students have done a great job and impressed me with their enthusiasm and engagement throughout the unit. I started with a goal of exposing students to the world of computer science and coding at an earlier age by finding and creating early elementary friendly lessons. It's where we have ended up that has blown me away!
We have learned about algorithms, learned what code is, learned directional words, learned what "bugs" are, and how to find/fix them. Over the next couple of weeks we are going to begin putting all that we have learned this far into action using more traditional "Online/Plugged In" coding experiences. This means that students will be directly interacting with screens and machines instead of paper/pencil. The really cool thing about "Online/Plugged In" activities is that they offer a more authentic experience, as well as, faster and more visual feedback to their code. Students will be rotating through three activities. The first of which is Osmo Coding. A great piece of technology where students use tangible blocks to interact with an on screen character named Awbie. The goal is to guide Awbie around the on screen world collecting/eating strawberries and finding treasure. In the second of the three activities students will get to interact and code a robot named Dash. Dash is made by a company called Wonder Workshop. The nice thing about this robot is how it can be used with different age ranges. Young students still developing their reading skills can use an app called "Go" that allows them to steer Dash using on screen controls and they can program him to make noise and light up in different ways. Older students can use other apps like "Path" or "Blockly" for a more traditional coding experience. I plan to have students use Dash with the app "Go" and a maze I have made out of tape on my floor. The goal is for the students to guide Dash through the maze without going over the tape lines. The third and final activity students will use is called Code and Go Robot Mouse by Learning Resources. Similar to using Dash students will guide a robot through a maze. However,
unlike Dash there is no screen to control the robot mouse. Students use directional arrows on the mouse itself to enter the code. In addition, students can customize the maze using walls and tunnels. The activity has cards with possible mazes students can recreate, but I think students will enjoy getting to create their own maze and coding the mouse through it to the piece of cheese.
Though our coding unit is coming to an end, the future of students learning computer science in Kindergarten is bright! A few days ago I was awarded a $1000 grant to purchase more computer science and coding materials. With this grant I'm hoping to buy 3 more Dash robots and accessories so that we have 4 total and more copies of Osmo Coding so students can work in smaller groups/partners. The grant also allows me to purchase more materials for engineering which I plan to use to expand on an existing Rube Goldberg unit. Coding is becoming an important field in the world today and it offers much to those who know the skill. Coding teaches logic skills and problem solving, and it helps kids succeed in an increasingly digital world. Why not expose them to it early in their education.
