Block-based Coding vs. Text-based Coding
Coding has been at the forefront of curriculum design conversations all over the world and is important in BC because it was a focus of the most recent curricular update. As of 2019, coding is introduced to BC students in Grade 6 as part of the Applied Design Skills and Technology curriculum. Many organizations have jumped at the opportunity to provide coding experiences for kids in response to growing public interest in the field; major initiatives like Scratch have opened kid's eyes to some of the big concepts of coding with their innovative block-based programming platform.
However, these block-based coding platforms bear little resemblance to the types of coding environments programmers use in their day-to-day jobs. If we want to equip students with future job skills in this field we need to provide the type of coding experience in our classrooms that will get them there. Text-based programming, as introduced through Codegogy, offers students a deeper and more meaningful learning experience in coding as learners debug their programs, handle digital files, and experience full flexibility of programming in a text-based environment.
However, these block-based coding platforms bear little resemblance to the types of coding environments programmers use in their day-to-day jobs. If we want to equip students with future job skills in this field we need to provide the type of coding experience in our classrooms that will get them there. Text-based programming, as introduced through Codegogy, offers students a deeper and more meaningful learning experience in coding as learners debug their programs, handle digital files, and experience full flexibility of programming in a text-based environment.
Professional Development vs. Educative Curriculum
A new BC curriculum means new learning opportunities for BC teachers. However, the skills and knowledge needed to teach coding effectively require much more than a one-hour professional development crash course. Unfortunately, easy-to-access online applications full of cookie-cutter features that can be learned in an hour are often used in place of deep and meaningful learning activities in coding. These types of one-size-fits-all wonder-apps look good outside the classroom at professional development sessions but we cannot expect them to fulfill the challenge of teaching BC students how to code; only knowledgeable teachers can do that.
Instead of more apps, BC teachers need curriculum resources grounded in educational theory and connected to classroom practice. Such resources have been called educative curriculum and serve the dual purpose of communicating the key ideas from the curriculum and deepening teacher understanding. Therefore, Codegogy is an educative curriculum resource for BC teachers who want to deepen their understanding of coding and improve their classroom practice.
Instead of more apps, BC teachers need curriculum resources grounded in educational theory and connected to classroom practice. Such resources have been called educative curriculum and serve the dual purpose of communicating the key ideas from the curriculum and deepening teacher understanding. Therefore, Codegogy is an educative curriculum resource for BC teachers who want to deepen their understanding of coding and improve their classroom practice.