Tag Archives: Coding

Coding Education

Where Do You Stand? Should Coding Be Counted as a Foreign Language?

There’s a movement by some parents and a group of lawmakers to get computer coding classes counted as foreign language credits in schools across the country. While it did hit a snag recently, those who feel strongly that they should be counted as school credits aren’t giving up. Then again, neither is the side that thinks they shouldn’t be counted. Where do you fall?

The current hubbub is going in Florida, where a former executive at Yahoo has proposed a bill that would have allowed high schools to provide coding classes and to have them counted as foreign language credits. Supporters say there are a lot of reasons to do this, including the fact that more kids would sign up for coding and they’d gain essential skills for the workplace. The bill actually passed the state Senate but wasn’t able to pass in the Florida house. Other states are considering it too, including Georgia and Washington.

In Texas, high school students have been able to count computer science classes as foreign language credits for several years – but the student must have already taken a foreign language class and not done well in it. Supporters of that type of bill state that it’s a great choice for kids who don’t have an easy time with foreign languages.

Those who support proposals to allow any student to use a coding class in place of a foreign language have some solid points to make. First, they point out that most students don’t take enough foreign language classes to become fluent and most don’t ever use what they’ve learned again in their life. They also say that coding is a language – and that it can be useful for kids for the rest of their lives.

Of course, those who don’t support the measures have their own strong points too. For example, they say that exchanging a skill isn’t the same thing as learning a foreign language. They also say that learning a language isn’t the only reason for foreign language classes. They’re also designed to teach students about different cultures and different ways of communicating.

Where do you stand? At CodeREV Kids, we’re on the record as supporting the idea that kids need to learn coding. In fact, we have a convenient description of exactly why coding is important. We’re also here to help your kids learn, whether your public schools offer options or not.

Coding Education

How Important is it to Teach Children to Code?

Coders are highly paid, in high demand, and have opportunities at some of the biggest companies in the world. You’d think this would be enough for schools to start teaching coding but it’s not the case in countries like Australia – or in many parts of the U.S. Though a recent article in PC World, We must teach kids coding: The keys to a digital future focuses on Australian children, it’s just as applicable here in the states.

Kids are especially suitable to get into coding

Today’s children grow up with technology, for better or worse. They are essentially natives of the digital age and are especially poised to take on the challenges of today’s coding jobs. That said, the article points out that this experience could actually be part of the problem. Kids of yesteryear were passionate about finding ways to improve technology but today’s advances are so impressive that they’re no longer wondering how to do so.

There are many reasons it’s a good idea to get kids involved in coding

The article lists a number of reasons that it’s to everyone’s advantage to get kids involved in coding. First, the author discusses how it’s a great way to get kids inspired. There’s no question that the great advances of the past were a result of curious, inspired individuals. When kids get involved in coding, they’re engaging not just with the power of it, but with how it can help to both control and change the world.

It’s also a great way to help kids get ready for a future that will surely be full of interconnection at every turn. For example, when kids learn coding they’re not just being creative but are actually experiencing that creativity. They learn that that computer programming is fun. Whether they’re building robots, learning Minecraft, or something entirely different they’ll be challenged by technology like never before – and more in tune with the different processes that work together to create their favorite games.

There’s an easy way to get your kids involved

The good news is that you don’t have to wait for your local school to get on board with coding. Instead, turn to CodeREV Kids and let us inspire and teach your children. We have classes designed for kids of virtually every age and we also offer summer camps to get kids immersed in technology. Are you ready to learn more? Give us a call today!

Coding Curriculum

Book Recommendations for Kid Coders

More and more kids are getting interesting in coding and that interest is spilling out in other areas of their lives. One of the things we get so excited about at CodeREV Kids is that kids don’t just learn to code but they learn to think critically, solve problems, and work independently within a team. We’re excited to see how many books are being released that deal with kid coders. Here are a few that have come across our radar recently.

Ruby Wizardry: An Introduction to Programming for Kids by Erin Weinstein

In this lovely book, the author includes lesson on programming as well as an introduction to it by introducing Ruby, a free, open-source platform. Initially the lessons are pretty basic but they get more challenging as the book continues. As a result, it’s a good choice for both beginning and advanced coders.

So, You Want to Be a Coder? by Jane (J.M.) Bedell

Do you have a kid who’s interested in coding but has a lot of questions about what a job in the industry would really look like? Then this is a great choice for them. It includes short interviews with people currently working in the industry – including a few teenagers who have started businesses of their own. There are also quizzes to help kids decide if coding is a good choice for them, along with ideas for future education and coding camps to increase experience.

Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding by Linda Liukas

Part picture book and part activity book, this work follows Ruby as she goes through her world and solves problems she encounters. The story itself doesn’t actually teach coding – it reinforces the skills and ideas that are so important in the coding world. For example, Ruby looks for patterns, breaks large problems into smaller, solvable ones, makes plans, and adapts when plans don’t come together as expected. In the second half, there are activities that kids can use to practice the skills Ruby showed in the story. These are thinking, problem-solving activities that don’t require a computer.

Books are great but there’s no substitute for hands-on experience

At CodeREV Kids, we love the idea that books can spark an interest but we believe there’s no substitute for real, hands-on experience. That’s why we offer a number of online classes for kids to code. Contact us to get more information about your options.

Coding Education

How Important Are After-School Programs?

Most parents know that after-school programs are more than an option for kids to have fun – they’re actually very important within a community. But how important are they? Some recent studies and anecdotal evidence from after-school programs across the country have shown that they’re actually more important than you may think.

Many kids have nowhere to go after school. For kids with two-parent families, it’s more common now that both parents work. It’s easy to see that elementary kids need after-school care but what do you do when your child is old enough to be on their own yet you don’t want them to just sit in front of the TV and veg out every day after school? That’s where after-school programs can come in.

Estimates show that about 11 million kids have nowhere to after school most days. Some areas have clubs like the Boys & Girls Club, and they can be a great choice for some – but not for everyone. Many kids view those types of clubs as nothing more than glorified babysitting. But what’s a better option? At CodeREV Kids we recommend more targeted after-school activities, like our after school membership program that’s a ton of fun for kids while also teaching them valuable skills.

Remember that studies have also shown that the vast majority of juvenile crime happens between 3 PM and 6 PM – the hours after kids are out of school and before their parents are likely home for the evening.

Consider another study that showed that kids who participated in after-school programs had a smaller math achievement gap between high- and low-income families and generally score higher on tests. 80% of parents who have a kid in an after-school program said that the programs allowed to keep them working.

Of course, these are all great reasons but they’re tied to after-school programs in general. At CodeREV Kids we want to emphasize not just that kids have something to do after school, but that it’s an activity that’s fun and ultimately useful. Not sure a coding class is right for them? Consider why coding is now being taught in many schools around the country. The job prospects are excellent for people who know how to code – and not just in computer fields. Coding is, and will continue to be, an asset in a wide variety of sectors.

Coding Education

5 Reasons it Makes Sense to Teach Kids to Code

All over the country, camps and classes are springing up to teach kids to code. But does it really make a difference? Is it really worthy of being taught to our children? At CodeREV Kids we say yes! Here are five reasons it makes sense to teach kids to code.

1. Coding programs are a great way to empower kids

For kids, the ability to communicate with machines is akin to a superpower. They can learn how to control robots and machines, teach a computer to solve complicated problems, turn the ideas in their mind into interactive realities, and make their ideas accessible to millions of people.

2. Learning a language is always easier when kids are young

You may have heard that it’s much easier for young kids to learn a foreign language when they’re young, as opposed to teaching them when they’re a teenager. The same is true of coding – it is a language, after all. In fact, believe it or not, kids can actually be taught to code before they know how to speak. Games can teach them logic and problem solving and they’ll learn to code along the way.

3. The perfect age to teach kids logic-based information is 5 – 6

When kids are five to six years old, they’re in what’s known as the “psycho-social development stage.” This means they’re starting to take everything around them and make logical connections to them. It’s the perfect time to introduce coding. Still think it’s too young? Consider that in Estonia, every 1st grader learns to code.

4. The earlier kids get fluent in technology the better

In this day and age, all kids interact with technology from a young age. But interacting and creating are two different things. When kids code, they can express themselves and they can truly create some unique things.

5. Programmers are in demand

Over the next decade, programmers are going to be one of the top in-demand occupations. Think it only applies to tech jobs? Consider this: of the 1.4 million programming jobs there will be to fill in the next decade, 67% of them will be outside of the tech sector.

Are you ready to further explore the options to get your kid interested in coding? Contact CodeREV Kids and let us walk you through the process. Your kids – and their future – will thank you!

Coding Education

Summer STEM Programs Are Helping Kids All Over the Country

There are many ways to get kids excited about STEM programs and a lot of cool programs all over the country that are doing just that. The Kane County Chronicle featured an article titled STEM program at Elburn library helps children learn this summer that details one program.

Chris Walker writes, “Although it’s the middle of summer, some kids haven’t stopped learning. Emily Owen, a fifth grade teacher at Blackberry Creek Elementary School, is leading a science, technology, engineering and mathematics – STEM – program for second- to fifth-graders at Town & Country Public Library in Elburn.

It’s the first time the program has been offered at the library and, with 21 participants, it has been deemed a huge success. It will run through the end of July. “It’s been really well received,” Owen said. “If we were in the classroom there probably would be a little more planning and stuff because we would have more time, but with just an hour [per week], we’re a little bit more on the play and problem-solving focus. … It’s worked out very well.”

Lily Lake resident Abby Drommerhausen has both of her kids, Emma, 7, and Joshua, 5, in the program. Drommerhausen said she has been pleased. “One of my girlfriends has kids in the program so she’s the one who told me about it,” she said. “My kids just love it. My daughter isn’t into princesses – she’d rather do puzzles – and this has been a perfect fit for her.”

Like many parents with school-age children in the area, Drommerhausen knows keeping a kid’s mind challenged throughout the summer months can be difficult. “It gets to a point where reading and doing stuff with Mom gets a little boring for them,” Drommerhausen said of her kids. “This is something that’s great for the kids, plus not all the kids are social, so this kind of forces them to be social.”

One of the major advantages of a STEM-based program is that teachings often can be incorporated into many others thing in life, which is something Owen advocates. “There’s a lot of critical thinking and engineering-type things that go into STEM,” Owen said. “These are the kinds of things that are going to be huge no matter where you end up in life. Being able to diagnose a problem, then come up with an idea and design a solution, is going to go a long way toward helping them regardless of what they do.”

Of course, at CodeREV Kids we believe that STEM skills are essential for your kids. Not only do they build creativity but these are problem-solving kids that can serve them for the rest of their lives. Check out our spring classes or take a moment to learn more about why coding is so important.

Coding Education

South Florida’s Coding for Kids Program is Off to a Great Start

At CodeREV Kids, we’re proud of our ability to help kids in the California area learn how to kid and get excited about STEM-related projects and ideas. We’re always keeping an eye on programs across the country who are following the same ideals and having similar success. An article in the Miami Herald highlighted one such program that we were glad to learn more about.

In an article titled CodeKids camp teaches South Florida children coding, robotics Samantha Smith writes, “A day-camp instructor recently sat on the floor beside a camper typing code onto an iPad. The child taps “run,” and a small spherical robot moves, following the instructions he just wrote. The goal is to keep the robot on the road printed on the rug in front of him.

It wobbles off-track. “That’s OK,” said instructor C.J. Ramos. “That’s not real failure. You know what real failure is?” “Giving up,” camper Julian Leon answered. “I’m never going to give up.” Ramos is an instructor at CodeKids, a tech-based summer camp now in its second year for children ages 7 to 13. Campers learn about coding, game development, computer science and robotics at 22 schools in South Florida.

Maurice Lopes, Brad Nickel and Richard Chimelis, 70, of the Miami Entrepreneurship Center came up with the idea when thinking of their own children. They wanted a computer-focused summer camp, but bemoaned the price of those in the area. “Maurice had the nerve to say, ‘Maybe we could have a camp.’ And I had the stupidity to say, ‘We can do that!’” said Nickel, CodeKids’ curriculum coordinator.

After launching a website to gauge interest, about 300 campers signed up, resulting in the need for three locations and 12 instructors. “We were literally sold out almost every week last summer,” said Nickel, 51. In one year, CodeKids grew to 22 locations with more than 60 teachers and 2,500 campers.

Those campers don’t need any prior knowledge of computers or coding before attending CodeKids, and can sign up for any number of weeks. Regardless of when they sign up, they are considered week-one campers, and work with a flexible curriculum so they can learn material they enjoy at their own pace. “I like that you can play Minecraft and make mods,” camper Julian said. “Minecraft is my favorite game in the whole world.”

During the coding portion of the camp June 15, Julian created a Minecraft “mod” — a modification to a program created by adding to or editing its original code — which makes lightning strike blocks broken by the player. “Mods are my favorite thing to do,” said Julian, 9. Because CodeKids runs only eight weeks in the summer, Nickel said only a certain amount of material can be taught.”

We think this sounds like a great program but it has one main flaw, as we see it: It only runs for eight weeks in the summer. At CodeREV Kids we’re proud of both our summer camps and our after-school programs that run throughout the year.

Coding Education

The Fun Way to Keep Kids Learning Over the Summer

There isn’t always agreement over how much sense it makes in today’s world to have a summer break from school and more and more schools are turning to a year-round model with shorter breaks throughout the year. Whether you support summer vacations or not, there’s plenty of evidence that kids can lose valuable skills when not challenged over the summer months.

That’s where incredible STEM-based programs come in. We ran across a very inspiring article in The River City News titled Summer of STEM Aims to Keep Kids Learning Over School Break that could inspire anyone.

The author writes, “This summer’s 17-year cicada hum will be drowned out by the shrieks of discovery, the pure delight and joy as children of all ages and walks of life from the Cincinnati region participate in summer camps, activities and classes during the Summer of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) that combats brain drain with active, engaged learning.

While many offerings are highly developed by longtime STEM-focused organizations, the collaboration and network Summer of STEM (SOS) ties together is new.

ArtsWave’s Kintner was grateful her organization, the nation’s largest and oldest community arts campaign, had the technology to enable a joint listing of arts and STEM activities. “The efficiency of that platform,” according to Kintner, “enabled cincyartsandstem.org and a richer, more comprehensive tool.” The unusual pairing of art and STEM “gives kids new access points and the chance for STEM educators and parents to see arts opportunities at the same time,” Kintner said.

“As Cincinnati becomes a hotbed for the maker movement, start-ups, entrepreneurial culture and tech support, it’s really important that our century-old arts institutions are not relegated to or stuck in the past in actuality or public perception. One way to ensure the cutting edge is to be closely aligned with the new future and the new economy. Cincyartsandstem.org is one manifestation of that vision.”

“Because there’s so much design work in engineering and everything has a creative bent, we don’t want to limit these kids,” Kelley said. “Whether it’s ballet or biology camp, they can find resources in the same place.”

“Our highest order for Summer of STEM is to keep kids engaged in a natural asset: a giant, outdoor science lab,” said Mary Adams, GCSC program manager and former Procter & Gamble (P&G) executive. Uniting education and business partners, non-profit organizer GCSC opens STEM educational and career possibilities to meet the accelerating regional demand.”

At CodeREV we’ve been well aware for years that STEM-based summer camps can have a huge and lasting impact. We’re always glad to see other areas of the country embracing the evidence. Are you curious about after-school or summer camp options in the Los Angeles area and beyond? Contact us today!

Coding Education

How Disney is Upping the Coding for Kids Game

At CodeREV we’re excited to see companies and schools across the country begin to see how important coding is and why it should be taught to kids. To do that, we need to find innovative ways to make the experience fun and interesting. We’ve come up with some really unique and well-received ways to do that but it’s nice to see that Disney is working hard to shoulder some of that burden too.

USA Today has an article titled Disney to join effort to get kids into the coding game. Greg Toppo writes, “Do you want to code a snowman? How about a droid? The non-profit group Code.org on Tuesday said that it will team up with Disney and Lucasfilm to create Frozen- and Star Wars-themed computer science courses for children, part of a free, 80-hour computer science course that will be integrated into the group’s curriculum over the next year.

In 2014, Code.org’s much shorter “Hour of Code” animation tutorial featured Anna and Elsa from Frozen, while the 2015 version included Rey, BB-8, Princess Leia, R2-D2 and others from Star Wars, the group said. It hopes the characters will provide a kind of bridge for students to transition from the short introductory tutorials to a full computer science course, offered at its online Code Studio. “We regularly hear from teachers that their students want to keep coding,” said Hadi Partovi, the group’s CEO and co-founder.

Students, he said, have been known to skip recess to spend more time coding. “Part of this is because it’s inherently fun to create things, to make apps or games,” he said. “But a huge part of it is because of the engagement factor from interacting with characters like Anna and Elsa, BB-8, or R2-D2.” The new partnership was announced at the annual conference of the International Society for Technology in Education. Code.org said more than 11 million students and 330,000 teachers have accounts on its platform.”

Are you interested in hearing more about coding for kids in the Los Angeles and surrounding areas? CodeREV has been bringing the world of STEM-learning and coding to kids for quite some time and we’re excited to expand on a regular basis. We’ve found some really unique ways to get kids excited in both our summer camps and our after-school sessions.

Coding Education

The Work of Getting Girls Involved in Tech Continues

Though great strides have been made by companies like CodeREV, and great gains have been shown, there’s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to getting girls involved in tech generally and coding specifically. Computer World recently published an article titled Tech camps for girls: Don’t let your daughter miss out that brings together some alarming stats.

Rebecca Linke writes, “The tech industry has a dearth of female talent. As of 2013, only 26% of technology jobs were held by women, according to a review by the American Association of University Women. After peaking in the early ’80s, the percentage of computer science bachelor’s degrees received by U.S. women has steadily declined.

With the growing skills shortage in certain key areas, enticing more women into technology can only help the field as a whole. Patricia Barber helps lead Girls in Technology, which offers a mentoring program for girls interested in pursuing careers in STEM. “Research suggests that for the tech jobs that are going to be available in the future, there isn’t going to be enough talent to fill those positions unless women and girls became involved,” she says.

In Massachusetts, a high-tech mecca, women held only around 26.5% of tech jobs in 2014, a slight drop from 2007, according to a new study from the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council. Workforce diversity in Silicon Valley isn’t much better.

Monica Eaton-Cardone, founder and CIO of Global Risk Technologies, agrees. “To change this, women need to be encouraged to follow their interests and need to be educated on the growing potential of STEM careers,” she says.

One way to achieve this change is to get girls involved in STEM fields from an early age, and a growing number of programs across the country aim to do just that. Summer is just around the corner, and while offerings such as MIT’s Women’s Technology Program and Girls Who Code’s summer immersion program are filled, a few programs are still accepting applications. Read more about them, below.”

Of course we agree with their great idea of getting girls involved in STEM fields as early as possible. That’s why CodeREV offers a variety of classes, including a tech camp, that shows girls how exciting and rewarding these skills can be. When they get older they’ll be pleased to learn that these skills can be lucrative too!