Coding is the action of assigning codes to something for identification. Coding for kids is beneficial because it empowers kids, it is easy, it has diverse early learning benefits to kids, and they become fluent with technology around them.
Children can learn to code at: https://studio.code.org/hoc/1
0 Comments
Computational thinking is when you’re taking apart a problem and trying to figure out a way that you can attack it. It is showing children how they can think outside the box by using different techniques to figure out how to solve problems on their own. The computational thinking skill that we discussed was sorting algorithms. An algorithm is a skill that puts elements of a list into a particular order. Therefore, you do so by comparing two elements with a comparison operator. Lastly, algorithms are steps by step problems to help with principles or insights.
Some reasons for teaching computational thinking are that this skill helps to breaks down a problem into parts or steps, which is called decomposition. Teachers should teach computational thinking because it allows the children to use their creativity and problem solving skills. Next, is pattern recognition, which helps with recognizing and finding patterns or trends. Therefore, this aids in helping with memorization. Abstract helps develop instructions to solve a problem or steps for a task. Using these techniques help in a variety of ways in the classroom. One example of computational thinking is coloring sorting, related to our game. The game that we decided to do was sorting skittles. To perform this game the materials needed are skittles, 5 clear cups, 5 tubes with each color of the skittles (red, purple, green, yellow, and orange), pincher’s, and a timer. The student’s will have a partner and they will take turns to grab one skittle at a time with the pinchers. Once they grab the skittle they have to ask/work with their partner to identify the color of the skittle and then identify which tube matches that color. Once they have done this the partner who grabbed the skittle can drop it in the tube. To make this more challenging and more of game once each student has a chance to practice, they will set the timer for a minute and see how many they grab and identify together. Both partners will have a turn to grab the skittle to see who can get the most, however they are still trying to work together. This game helps with improving their fine/gross motor skills, sorting and matching skills, and lastly their coordination from pinching and moving the skittle. In the pictures below you can see the students working together towards a common goal. Therefore, with this activity children are learning social skills, which helps with their language and cognitive development. |
|