By Linda White
The annual Hour of Code project, an initiative to introduce computer science and computer programming through one-hour sessions designed to demystify code and to demonstrate that anybody can learn the basics, has grown internationally and now reaches tens of millions of students in more than 180 countries during Computer Science Education Week in December. For Bedford schools, however, it is much more than a mere one-hour commitment or goal. The tenets of Hour of Code are routinely integrated in system-wide STEM and non-STEM academic areas throughout Bedford’s academic year.
“Computer Science is a liberal art: it’s something that everybody should be exposed to and everyone should have a mastery of to some extent.” — Steve Jobs
Over the summer, the Davis School Library was updated and reconfigured to accommodate 24 computer work stations (an increase from 13 stations), providing an opportunity for each student visiting the library to have their own station where they could learn and build upon existing coding skills. A large-screen Smartboard was also added as a teaching station where new computer concepts and coding instructions can be shared by Jeremy Royds, Davis Librarian. Royds reported, “The increase in work stations allows students to decide how they want to work – independently, with a partner, or as a group. The end result has been a positive, more interesting, and productive learning experience for the students.”
One of the goals of the library’s computer curriculum is to implement a digital makerspace environment. Students are building upon previously learned coding skills, integrating animation, using Minecraft, the Kerbal Space Program (kerbalspaceprogram.com), and their imaginations to construct a virtual colony on Mars including the design of buildings, transportation, food, accessories, etc. Royds commented, “The students are fearless. They jump right in, like it is second nature to them. Where we adults might hesitate, they freely experiment, redo, grab a book to research additional detail and information, and have fun while they are learning by doing. It is a very integrated learning experience.”
Library time as we know/knew it, has undergone some modifications. Davis students who visit the library are given free choice to decide how they wish to spend their period. They may choose to spend their time on the computer work stations exploring different coding options and programs, researching a topic, selecting a great book, or brainstorming and planning their next computer project. Royds ensures there is still time before the library sessions ends for a 10-15 minute story time. Don’t worry, students still select books to check out and return. Kindergarten students have a more traditional library time but are still introduced to the many computer resources available to develop their coding skills.
Special Hour of Code activities at Lane School also took place in a newly renovated Computer Lab, a space previously known as the multipurpose room. Lane Librarian Linda Coviello explained, “The format for Hour of Code was basically the same as last year, with the classroom teachers mostly taking the lead and either booking the lab or iPad carts. Teachers are also in the process of implementing some of the coding concepts into other curricula areas where applicable.
“I am having most classes explore Code.org during their Library period to allow for additional reinforcement. I would say that the main difference for this year is that the Code.org organization has MANY more online activities available, with various programming tools (blockly, python, scratch, rtc). All students are offered ways to access code.org from home. Such a great opportunity for our students!”
Lane Principal Rob Ackerman complimented and expressed sincere thanks to an army of Lane parents and community volunteers from Mitre Corporation who shared their skill, knowledge, and enthusiasm during Hour of Code activities and whose contributions were appreciated by staff and students alike. Volunteers included: Susan Andelman, Chris Marino, Monica Lussier, Sheth Nirav, Sarah Cutrona, Jonathan Kohler, Katherine Bray, Renee Miller, Jeff Bigg, David Amaral, Stephan Hovnanian, Brian Green, Jeremy Goss, Louis Ades, Chris Mascia, Tatyana Yatsunov, Tracy Thrasher Hybl, Chris Mascia, Lita Lum, Kristen Mattson, Rouzbeh Touri, Jeff Banister, Ellen Lembo, Frank Nappi, Gregg Carman, Rebecca Plant, Denali Rao, Gaby Raymond, Scott Poulter, Joy Wilson, Christine Smith, Emily Holt, Jennifer Stewart, Brooke Halloran, Lauren DiCristofaro, Joe Marchionna, Kristen Collins, Todd Cutrona, Cheryll Bell, Elaine Herzog, Cindy Chiu, Marina Gharios, Ashwini Tumne, Jane Holland, and Estelle Mense.
Donna Clements, Director of Technology and Library Media for Bedford Public Schools, summarized the activities taking place at BHS and JGMS, “The Tech Ed classes at JGMS and BHS implement Code.org courses or something similar throughout the year. For this reason, the Hour of Code week does not deviate from the work that is already being done. Students also have an opportunity to take part in the Hour of Code activities at school outside of any Tech Ed courses they may be taking. High School students have access to a QR (Quick Response) code that will take them directly to the Hour of Code activities. This opportunity is heavily promoted during X Block times at the High School.”
Clements continued, “All students at JGMS have Tech Ed. In addition, they have an opportunity to take part in activities during their Directed Study block. Sessions run in the Computer Lab, Library Lab, and Library itself. The JGMS librarian, Lynda McGraw, and the Computer Lab Assistant, Derek Johnson, host these sessions.”
Code.org reports, “Massachusetts currently has 16,808 open computing jobs (3.0 times the average demand rate in Massachusetts). The average salary for a computing occupation in MA is $102,015, which is significantly higher than the average salary in the state ($59,010). Massachusetts had only 1,609 computer science graduates in 2014; only 21% were female.”
To learn more, click the following links
- Read about Bedford’s Hour of Code, 2015
- Read about Bedford’s Hour of Code, 2014
- Learn about the Hour of Code initiative
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