Code Club

[lRhyss]

I know there is a few smart minded programmers on this forum, so I thought I'd share something I've been a part of for a few weeks now, and I'm loving it!

As you may or may not know, the curriculum in primary schools has changed, and from the age of 6 pupils are learning very basic programming skills and getting a general idea for the programming thought processes (sorry, best way I could put it). With most primary school teachers not having a clue what programming is or how to actually program, they're a little stuck and are looking for people with experience (work experience or student experience) to come in and help give the children and teachers a push in the right direction.

Basically, when you sign up, you will be given the chance to contact your local Primary school in an attempt to start a "programming club" or "Code Club". In this club you would teach 9-11 year olds a set course over the period of a certain amount of weeks (I think it's around 20, don't quote me on that haha). the course contain different projects on many different things, starting with basic thought processes, moving onto HTML and then finishing with Python.

It's a great experience for me so far and I think it most people have the knowledge and ability to do it themselves in their local primary schools! I have't really wrote a great deal, but if you'd like to learn more, visit the website by Clicking Here.

[scottish]

Seems interesting for anyone interested in teaching and give some worthwhile experience.

I remember when I was in uni my high school asked me for help with curriculum for teaching programming.. said sure then never got back to her lol but then I have no interest in teaching or dealing with kids/teens

[lRhyss]

Seems interesting for anyone interested in teaching and give some worthwhile experience.

I remember when I was in uni my high school asked me for help with curriculum for teaching programming.. said sure then never got back to her lol but then I have no interest in teaching or dealing with kids/teens

I think there is a volunteer type where you can teach the teachers how to teach the c

urriculum, I might be wrong but, if you're interested and don't want to deal with kids. Also, most of the teachers that are stuck with teaching will be present in the club,
learningand keeping an eye n the kids, making sure they behave

edit: wtf is going on with my text

[Chris]

That sounds interesting and fun! It's a shame I've never touched Python, otherwise I would have given it a go.

[peteyt]

It's a good idea. ICT at my school even six form was basically using programs - as in design a poster do this do that. I kind of wish I'd went to college

[lRhyss]

That sounds interesting and fun! It's a shame I've never touched Python, otherwise I would have given it a go.

They literally give you all of the stuff you need to know, there was some stuff I wasn't sure on with Python, but it didn't matter at all, they provide pupil worksheets so they can follow along and things, but they also provide cheat sheets for the volunteers, it was literally a case of reading through the cheat sheets before going, really not much to learn to be honest

https://www.codeclub.org.uk/projects

[Chris]

They literally give you all of the stuff you need to know, there was some stuff I wasn't sure on with Python, but it didn't matter at all, they provide pupil worksheets so they can follow along and things, but they also provide cheat sheets for the volunteers, it was literally a case of reading through the cheat sheets before going, really not much to learn to be honest

https://www.codeclub.org.uk/projects

Yeah I just had a quick look, it looks like quite a friendly one to learn. If I went through the pupil work myself then I would probably be ok.

Not used scratch either, but that looks like a web application that anybody can pick up and use without any prior knowledge.

Thanks Rhyss.

[Inseriousity.]

I read bout code club in a newspaper somewhere, it's a good idea. I wouldn't personally be able to teach it, I'd be as clueless as the kids lol

[lRhyss]

Yeah I just had a quick look, it looks like quite a friendly one to learn. If I went through the pupil work myself then I would probably be ok.

Not used scratch either, but that looks like a web application that anybody can pick up and use without any prior knowledge.

Thanks Rhyss.

Haha you're welcome

Scratch is something that we used in Secondry school, it's pre-coded modules that you can stick together to make something happen, it's so the kids can get an idea of how certain "loops" work

The first one we did was like;

When the green flag is waved, the band will start to play.

So:

When the [flag] is [waved]
{
Start marching
}

^^^^^^^ I tried my hardest to make it look like it does in the program with text

Here is an image though:

Show Hide Scratch

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Njmh9cAWX0/SwWCINXZdhI/AAAAAAAAAJk/UXL6d0mXQuY/s1600/sample.png

[Chris]

Yeah I had a go with it earlier. It's a unique way to break it down and make it all visual for kids learning.