By 2020, the Internet of Things will include approximately two billion objects. Each of those devices will need to be told what to do through programming. Who better to do the job than our own Texas students?
The educational focus for the future must be to introduce non-programming teachers to the freely available grade 6-8 curriculum that they can use to support learners who tackle coding for mobile devices. One course is Creative Coding through Games and Apps (CCGA), provided by Microsoft.
Coding, and computational thinking in general, is one of the most in-demand skills in today’s job market. But not so long ago, learning to code was mostly out of reach for late-middle school and secondary students. Coding wasn’t taught in the typical classroom, and educators – unless they had a computer science background – weren’t equipped to teach it. After all, coding can seem difficult to the beginner. But Microsoft has changed all of that.
Rich Curriculum, Free Coding Tool, Device Agnostic
This year, December 5-11, The Hour of Code will take place. To deepen student learning relevant to this event, Microsoft has developed a comprehensive curriculum for grade 6-8 students and their teachers. This rich curriculum relies on Touch Develop, a coding tool that works on all devices, such as Android and iOS phones and tablets, Chromebooks, and Windows, Macintosh, and GNU/Linux desktops/laptop computers. Microsoft Touch Develop is a powerful and engaging coding tool that lets students create fun games and real-world apps easily. Find out more online here and here.
Sign Up and Touch the Future
Teachers are invited to register for a free professional learning opportunity in teaching introductory programming skills. The free session takes place on December 2, 2016 at TCEA headquarters in Austin, Texas. Teachers can register for Introduction to Creative Coding through Games and Apps (CCGA). Take a day and learn how to easily introduce your students to the world of code and the future it brings.
