Literature Review

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I don’t know who said, “The best things in life are free,” but students need technology! (Brooks, 2017) In this new era, babies are being born with the knowledge of the 21st Century technology. Children today have the capacity to handle modern technology with ease. Most adults now have a lot of difficulty wanting to learn what is new. The question again is how we get these modern age children to use more than just social applications and games and be more involved in programming and critical thinking strategies to assist them with the real-world future. There are many school districts in the country implementing programming skills as part of their curriculum. Some districts have undergraduates spending part of their educational experiences participating in mentoring young children with coding. Our district is on the path to cultivate strong, well-educated and prepared students for the future. As we all know, technology will be one of the most demanding careers of the future. Are we, as teachers, preparing the students for a successful career endeavor?

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So why do we fear want the students are asking for? Research has demonstrated that students have preferred having more of technology-based instruction rather than lectures. (Brooks, 2017) Teachers are more likely to resist change than to enhance it. Education today has modernized itself to be less restrictive towards technology. This means students have expressed more of a concern when teachers do not allow the use of electronics in their classroom. This change of instruction has teachers concerned that students will pay less attention to the course material and have more attention to distractive material. First, there is evidence that device usage in the classroom may undermine student performance in their coursework. (Brooks, 2017) Teachers say to have a discussion with students about the use of devices in class and work together on a policy that best meets the needs of both parties.

Student technology in the classroom is not going to go away; coming to a resolution on it would certainly be welcome news. (Brooks, 2017)

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Coding would be a fundamental skill for students to have in elementary schools.

Computer science fosters creativity and teaches students critical thinking skills to become proactive learners, so elementary school is the ideal time for students to be introduced to
CS. (Code.org, 2019) Teachers have trouble adapting to the fact that coding is going to be difficult but on the contrary, there are many programs available to enhance the skills necessary to learn what is needed. Teachers take part in programs to explore the curriculum and learning tools, practice new teaching strategies, discuss classroom management, and build a community of teachers. (Code.org, 2019) Highlights of being in such programs include (Popat & Starkey, 2018):

• Learning to code in schools enables students to learn skills beyond the coding itself.

• Higher and lower order thinking skills can be developed when learning coding.

• Curriculum and pedagogy influence the range of skills learnt when learning to code.  

 

Even though students are learning to code, a range of other educational outcomes can be learnt or practiced through the teaching of coding. These included mathematical problem-solving, critical thinking, social skills, self-management and academic skills. Coding is not just for Math and Science courses, but all other subjects can be part of the curriculum assigned to students. Most campuses have established a one to one device so that all students can have access to the use of an electronic device. This allows for students to develop a sense of efficacy in their own learning and an opportunity to have a more hands-on approach. There are many sources available for students to learn coding and giving them the right tools will only enhance their determination to continue the learning creativity. (Ford, 2017)

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Coding is not just for “Coders” anymore, jobs requiring coding skills will pay on average $22,000 more. (Risen, 2016) Studies show that the 21st Century is designed for technology skilled workers. As an educational service provider, I believe that we have the capacity to provide this service to our youth and prepare them for their future as we will prepare for ours.

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Data from the College Board suggest not enough students are getting an early start in the field. Only 2 percent of students in the College Board’s advanced placement program studied computer science last year, and only 22 percent of those students were female. “Coding is NOT just for coders anymore!” (Risen, 2016)

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References:

Brooks, D. C. (2017, October). EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research . Retrieved from library,educause,edu:

https://library.educause.edu/~/media/files/library/2017/10/studentitstudy2017.pdf

 

Code.org. (2019, 11 19). Computer Science Discoveries. Retrieved from code.org: https://code.org/educate/csd

 

Ford, M. (2017, October 19). George Lucas Educational Foundation. Retrieved from Edutopia: Coding in the Classroom: https://www.edutopia.org/article/coding-across-curriculum

 

Popat, S., & Starkey, L. (2018, 10 11). Learning to code or coding to learn? A systematic review. Retrieved from sciencedirect.com:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360131518302768

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Risen, T. (2016, June 8). Coding Isn't Just for Coders Anymore. Retrieved from U.S. News: https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-06-08/coding-isnt-just-for-coders-anymore

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