MANITOWANING—The entire student body, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, at Assiginack Public School took part in the Hour of Code recently. This global event is designed to introduce computer science and show that anybody can learn the basics of computer coding.
The Grade 7 and 8 students were the leaders of the event and they assisted each class in ensuring that they were able to take part in coding activities with success. The Early Learning Kindergarten and Grade 1 students utilized the iPads with apps like Kodable and ScratchJr.
Grade 2 and up used the school’s laptops to explore the world of code. Students completed tutorials that allowed them to write their very first computer programs. They were able to move Angry Birds through mazes and have Elsa from the movie ‘Frozen’ create skating patterns on ice. Older students explored the more complex coding activities such as writing in JavaScript computer programming language.
Students were highly engaged and the event was a huge hit with students and teachers alike.
Grade 7 and 8 teacher Heather Pennie was thrilled with the success of the first year of Hour of Code in the school.
“The problem solving skill required for coding is incredible,” she told The Expositor. “Students had to continually test and rewrite their codes to make their characters move and act in the way they needed them to. From the youngest Kindergarten students to the older students and staff, everyone was actively trying out computer coding.”
For more information on the Hour of Code movement visit http://hourofcode.com/ca.
