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How Coding Clubs are Changing the Educational Landscape

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CFBISD’s Advanced Academic Services is teaming with the Computer Science department of The University of Texas at Dallas to provide before and after school coding clubs to elementary and middle school students in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District.

The coding clubs began with three middle schools in the fall of 2015, and then expanded in January 2016 to include an additional middle school and several elementary campuses.

Elementary students in CFBISD began with learning the Scratch program, and middle school students began with Alice, Game Maker, and the MIT App Inventor.

Why Computer Programming

Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science, provides the following information about computer programming:

  • Computer science drives innovation in the U.S. economy and provides career opportunities to our students.
  • There are currently 604,689 open computing jobs nationwide.
  • Last year, only 38,175 computer science students graduated into the workforce.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts one million open computing jobs in the U. S. by 2022.

Why Start Computer Programming Early

The earlier students are introduced to coding, the more comfortable they will be when presented with in-depth learning opportunities in middle school, high school, and post-secondary education. Coding also helps students understand that computers are valuable tools rather than merely a platform for fun games. Some of the fastest growing jobs involve computer science and computer programming.

The Benefits of Learning to Code

Providing students with the opportunity to learn how to code offers the lasting benefits of building 21st century skills:

  • Logical Thinking
  • Problem Solving
  • Persistence
  • Collaboration
  • Communication

Providing the opportunity of computer programming to students in CFBISD opens many opportunities and provides “21st Century” skills needed to become a better life-long learner.

Do you have any questions about computer programming or implementation in schools? Leave your questions in the comment section below.

Written by Jettie Lemon – CFBISD Advanced Academics Specialist

Comments

  1. Is the coding club available at McCoy? My daughter attends there and I have been looking into getting her into coding.

    • There is not one at McCoy yet, but we are loking to expand the program to other schools next year