This week in class we have been talking about computer programming and figuring out how it works. The question was asked should it be implicated into classrooms? Is it benifical? Is it worth the time? Is it too hard to figure out for children?
I have personally have done computer programming in my technology class in 6th grade. We were about to figure it out after playing with it for a week. We were required to do projects on it and to make the characters to complete certain tasks. From my experience I believe it is great for children, even younger children to start introducing it.
I will us computer programming in my class when I am a teacher. My dream is to teach lower elementary and I think this will engage the students very well. Yes, computer programming seems to be a little advanced for young children but the Scratch program uses words instead of codes for coding if you use that version. I would most likely use Scratch Jr., which it is based for a younger audience of ages 5-7. The difference with Scratch Jr. is instead of being word based it has more pictures and less complicated words. I would first introduce it for them to play games on that I have created that is using concepts that we are learning, like shapes for example. Then once they get use to the app and very comfortable I would introduce making your own stories and games. I would allow them to have time to discover how it works and create projects like short stories on it.
This program benefits the children because they may not realize it but they are doing math whether it is games about math, making their own stories or games. They are using critical thinking and problem solving to get the program to do what they want it to do. They are also being introduced into another potential career that is a big industry but it does not get recognized often in schools like service jobs, entrepreneur jobs, etc. In this field they can become graphic designers, computer programmers, game programmers, and many other jobs that may interest some students.
Do we have time? I know that their is many things you have to teach within a year but I would fit it in. I would set a few days aside to learn how to use the program. Then the students will have indoor recesses to use the app or during their free time if they finish their work early. I would use it somedays as an activity to do after recess that will grab their attention, engage them and help them to get ready to learn again. Additionally, I would fit it in on party days by having a portion of the day spent on the program to do a small project. It may also give the students a break from doing "normal" mathematics topics and once they get comfortable with the program you can integrate it with other subjects.
I believe that computer programming can be an exciting addition to classrooms. The technology keeps evolving and I think it is import for the students to see how it works. By the time we are teacher there my be better programs for young students or better technology that can help teach students who are very tech smart coming into the school with all the technology they grow up. It would be easy to "speak their language" and use technology as a tool for help teaching. Additionally, integration of two or more things in my opinion also makes learning more enjoyable than just focusing on one subject all of the time. That is why I want to use technology as one subject to integrate.
I have personally have done computer programming in my technology class in 6th grade. We were about to figure it out after playing with it for a week. We were required to do projects on it and to make the characters to complete certain tasks. From my experience I believe it is great for children, even younger children to start introducing it.
I will us computer programming in my class when I am a teacher. My dream is to teach lower elementary and I think this will engage the students very well. Yes, computer programming seems to be a little advanced for young children but the Scratch program uses words instead of codes for coding if you use that version. I would most likely use Scratch Jr., which it is based for a younger audience of ages 5-7. The difference with Scratch Jr. is instead of being word based it has more pictures and less complicated words. I would first introduce it for them to play games on that I have created that is using concepts that we are learning, like shapes for example. Then once they get use to the app and very comfortable I would introduce making your own stories and games. I would allow them to have time to discover how it works and create projects like short stories on it.
This program benefits the children because they may not realize it but they are doing math whether it is games about math, making their own stories or games. They are using critical thinking and problem solving to get the program to do what they want it to do. They are also being introduced into another potential career that is a big industry but it does not get recognized often in schools like service jobs, entrepreneur jobs, etc. In this field they can become graphic designers, computer programmers, game programmers, and many other jobs that may interest some students.
Do we have time? I know that their is many things you have to teach within a year but I would fit it in. I would set a few days aside to learn how to use the program. Then the students will have indoor recesses to use the app or during their free time if they finish their work early. I would use it somedays as an activity to do after recess that will grab their attention, engage them and help them to get ready to learn again. Additionally, I would fit it in on party days by having a portion of the day spent on the program to do a small project. It may also give the students a break from doing "normal" mathematics topics and once they get comfortable with the program you can integrate it with other subjects.
I believe that computer programming can be an exciting addition to classrooms. The technology keeps evolving and I think it is import for the students to see how it works. By the time we are teacher there my be better programs for young students or better technology that can help teach students who are very tech smart coming into the school with all the technology they grow up. It would be easy to "speak their language" and use technology as a tool for help teaching. Additionally, integration of two or more things in my opinion also makes learning more enjoyable than just focusing on one subject all of the time. That is why I want to use technology as one subject to integrate.