Easy Ways to Teach Coding

Coding is everywhere; in nearly every job field and in everyday life. More than ever, it is important that students have a strong understanding of how programming works. While there are a variety of online programs that offer to teach coding to your students, it can be difficult to understand where it’s best to begin. In this blog, we will explore some of the best activities to get your students started in coding.

Interact with Robots

Interacting with robots can be one of the best ways to teach students coding. If you have access to a robot in your classroom, design a creative activity centered on it. (If you don’t have a robot, we know where to get a really versatile one!) Try making it dance or having it play a game of checkers with students. Simple tasks will allow students to become familiar with basic visual programming languages in an engaging way that encourages further involvement. Robotics in the classroom brings an element of fun to coding.

Create an Animation to Accompany Material

Another fun way to get students programming is to ask them to develop an animation that accompanies concepts you are currently working on in the classroom. This encourages creativity, reviews useful concepts, and teaches students the valuable skill of coding. Start with basic animation and add elements each week. By making a slow and fun progression that incorporates incentives and group work, students will be motivated to continue pursuing coding. If you’re looking for how and where to create animations, Codecademy and Khan Academy have extensive lists of free lessons on programming and animation, and Scratch is a great (also free) place to do it.

Drag and Drop Code Onto a Microcomputer

Play rock, paper, scissors. Befriend a pet hamster. Create clap-on lights. These are a few of many quick and fun activities you can learn to code with a micro:bit. The micro:bit v2 is a tiny 4 x 5 cm computer capable of handling all the code you throw at it. Not only can you start with basic drag and drop blocks, but you can also code in Python or JavaScript. This is a great way to get students creative with an endless list of activities. Start unpacking what you can do with it here! 

Develop a Classroom Website

While creating a classroom website might not be as initially enticing to students as hands-on physical coding with a micro:bit or robotics, building it can be an effective way for students to become familiar with different types of coding. Accompanied by your guidance, students will not only have a quality finished product to be proud of, but they’ll also have something they’ve created to put on their résumé. Wix is a good place to get started on your new website.

There are countless ways to introduce coding into the classroom, regardless of the resources you have on hand. Whether you try robotics, animation, microcomputers, or website design, the most important thing is that you simply begin.

If you are looking for more ways to become an expert in coding, try visiting resources!

STEM Education Works provides educators and youth advocates with the hands-on tools, curriculum, and training to bring STEM learning to life. From coding and robotics to 3D printing and laser cutting, their solutions spark curiosity, build real-world skills, and prepare students for the future. Learn more about what we do through our socials, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.