Getting Students Started with Coding
BY MELISSA MCCORMACK
Free Resources that Teach Coding
Start with basics like Scratch to help students visualize the practice of coding. Scratch is a website created by MIT to teach coding to children. It shows parts of the coding structure in small blocks. It also demonstrates coding through small animations created from code.
Created by Google, Blockly also uses blocks to create code and then translates the code into a programming language such as Javascript, Python, PHP, Dart, or Lua. This open source library can be a great way to start learning a basic computer programming language such as Python.
Python is a simple and clean programming language that is great for beginners. Its syntax is simple to read, to code, and to debug. It is a lot more straightforward compared to many other languages.
Get started with PYTHON TURTLE
PythonTurtle offers a low-threshold way to learn how to program in Python. Students command an interactive Python shell and use Python functions to move a turtle displayed on the screen.
Python project ideas:
calculator
text-based adventure
quiz game
chat bot
rock, paper, scissors
For more ideas:
Cool, Fun & Easy Python Projects for Beginners (with Code)
Project Ideas for Getting Students Started
Request coding kits or other support here.
Introduce students to the idea of creating their own program based on their interests. Examples include tic-tac-toe or text-based adventures.
Have students create a website with a newsletter explaining their projects and what they are learning.
Let more advanced projects be inspired by student interests.
Materials Needed for a Coding Club
Paper & pencils
Whiteboard & markers
Computers
