Coding in Schools has to be Online

Working at home and at school needs to be seamless

Are you Speaking my Language?

  The computing curriculum is more than coding but it has been the most controversial topic. With many ICT teachers having never written code the main question raised its head immediately, which one? From my experience this has fallen into two camps Python or JavaScript. Python has the cleaner syntax and being the preferred language of the Raspberry Pi enthusiast it has a solid following. For me however the language of the internet is key. I don’t think there is a right answer to the question anyway, and neither should there be. We need coders of all descriptions and either of these is a good starting point.
Only 40% of teachers confident of teaching Computing - TES online

Why Not Python?

  The most important question I asked myself is “How do I enthuse students to want to code?”. For me the answer to that question is instant gratification. Students want to see what they are doing has an immediate impact. Raspberry Pi’s are good for IT clubs but in the classroom they are a nightmare. Schools still use VGA monitors so making sure students have access to 30 keyboards, mice and monitors is crazy. Even if you allow he students to use the computer room kit, unplugging and rearranging cables, you are still in a world of chaos. In fact using any physical device is difficult for beginners to manage effectively en masse. It also requires the right software to be installed, this is not difficult but leads me onto my main point. We want the students to practice outside of the classroom if they are to be anywhere close to proficient. Its all very well to say just go home install this and that on your home machine but installing software for younger students has its difficulties, due to multiple systems to guide them through. “Are you PC or Mac?”, “What version are you on”, “Do you have an admin account”, “what’s the error message” and so on. So if you want to attract the students who are thinking about coding you need to remove as many obstacles that would prevent them starting the journey. Ease of use trumps all.
Ease of use trumps all

Java Script

  The computing curriculum says you should know at least two languages. So for me teaching students HTML, CSS & Javascript is a great combination. Learning the language of the internet strikes a chord with young students and they want to know more. The first HTML lesson when they see Hello World on the internet is a great one. A completely white page with those iconic words in Times Roman still impresses them. Why? Because it’s on the internet, they have taken a flag and claimed a part of the internet for themselves. A Giant leap for studentkind in their eyes.
10 PRINT "HELLO WORLD"
20 GOTO 10

Online is Key

  Some may read that and say “they haven’t claimed the internet, they’ve just written in it a browser”. Not at my school, using Google Drive means that you can host your own sites on the internet for free! This blog you are reading is an example of that. Every part written online, published online and edited online. I like to pratice what I preach. Google Apps For Education is wondrous, free unlimited cloud storage but that’s not its real strength. I argue with many people (now increasingly in the minority) about Google Apps For Education (GAFE) or Office 365. In short Office365 is a fantastic productivity tool, it far outstrips Googles Applications but What Google has that Microsoft doesn’t is an App Store. Something they have clearly learn’t from Apples success. Third party applications that work with GAFE or Chrome have grown exponentially. It has allowed our students to log in and work without thinking about it. To login and have everything appear just as it does at school with no installation or effort is the key to its success. No administration + ease of use = enthused students having fun with code.
GAFE v 365

Starting Online Coding

  While I start with HTML & CSS these arguably are not “Coding” languages. There are however useful and the gateway to JavaScript coding. GAFE will allow students to use a third party app called Editey, this gives them the ability to create HTML, CSS and JS pages that are live on the internet. Fully functioning sites are up and running in less than 30 minutes. The really exciting part is the fact students can just log in on any device, including the amazing Chromebooks and iPads. This is what keeps the students going back for more. Telling them to code in a text editor in school that just works on their PC and isn’t live on the internet excites no one. Students are not easily fooled and want to make tangible products so they see no value in imitation, neither should they. I want to produce authentic authors.
Students are not easily fooled and want to make tangible products so they see no value in imitation, neither should they.

Fostering Problem Solving

  There are some limitations, PHP for example is not yet supported in GAFE, this has issues with forms and the like. However with some simple work arounds you can use other third party applications or embed a Google Form, students learn to problem solve and think creatively. After all isn’t that the goal?

Where Next

  Once they have learnt to make JS games and other skills online on their live websites the question becomes “How do I take this further?”. For me there are two directions, more complexity or more collaboration. I favour the second as in a school gifted students can be partnered with those that need help. Creating a team to make larger sites for Charities or small businesses is my goal. Within the teams managers, coders, creatives will all emerge and find their place. This is how the world works and that’s what we are getting them ready for. Hopefully in the next few years you will hear and see the projects these students will create for the community.

Rory Steel
@JerseyITguy
Coding in Schools has to be Online Coding in Schools has to be Online Reviewed by Rory Steel on 5:03 AM Rating: 5

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