The post Is Coding Right For My Child? appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Backed by data from reputable sources, these charts provide great insight into where opportunities lie for our children. Learning to code provides your children with the skills needed to capitalize on these opportunities.

Prepare your child for success: If you are looking for your child to learn to code, explore our live, teacher-led coding classes. View Programs.

1. Computing jobs are the #1 source of new wages in the US

There are an estimated 500,000 current job openings in the computing field today. These jobs are in every industry and in every state. It they are projected to grow at twice the rate of all other jobs.

2. The STEM Opportunity is in computer science

Despite the significant focus on STEM, what is missed out is that 71% of all new STEM jobs are in computing. However, only 8% of STEM graduates are in computing. This mismatch creates significant opportunities for children with computing background.

3. Computer science graduates earn 40% more than other college graduates

It is a lucrative field to be working in. The average lifetime earnings of a computer science graduate is 40% more than other college graduates. The gap between demand and supply continues to increase resulting in increases in wages for people with computing skill.

4. Interest in learning to code peaks in middle school

This is important particularly for girls. During middle school, children are more open to learning new skills, tend to believe computing as cool, and the gender stereotypes haven’t set in that hard. 79% of working professionals got their first serious exposure to coding in middle school.

5. Most parents want their child to learn computer science

More and more parents are seeing the broader trend and want their child to learn computer science. Since most schools don’t offer coding classes for kids, parents are enrolling their children in supplemental coding programs to acquire these skills.

6. 204% increase in students taking high-school computer science courses

There was a 204% increase in the # of students taking AP computer science in high-school. As such, we recommend students take a preparatory AP computer science course that teaches the coding parts of the test. Students are starting to recognize the value of a high-school computer science courses. It leads to a future in 130 career areas and 48 college majors.

7. Computer Science is being integrated into every college major

As computing enters every aspect of model life, college education is also starting to reflect that. Some of the recent advances in many fields are being powered by the integration of computing to those fields. Watch this video to see what your child can expect to see when they get into college.

8. Coding helps bring ideas to life

Many of the big companies that we know today are founded by individuals who knew how to code. When your children know how to code, an idea doesn’t die after a conversation. They build a basic version and see how people react to it. When there is a positive response, they can build on it. Airbnb, Instacart, and Dropbox were all built that way. By giving them the skill of coding, you can give wings to your child’s ideas.

9. Many emerging fields are driven by software

The exciting fields that our children will make their careers in over the next 10-20 years are all driven by software. Knowing how to code gives kids an edge to thrive in these jobs of the future.

Prepare your child for success: If you are looking for your child to learn to code, explore our live, teacher-led coding classes. View Programs.

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As a subject for study, coding has a lot to offer. It’s a real-world skill that is already in high demand, and for which the possibilities are only growing. Essentially, for the majority of jobs, there is probably a way for the ability to code to help with that job. But did you know that learning to code can also help well before getting to the workplace?

Many of the lessons that coding teaches are skills that transfer well into the classroom! In almost every subject taught in school, there is at least one skill learned from coding that can help students excel.

Math is probably one of the most obvious subjects where coding comes in handy. That’s because math is in itself a pretty large part of coding.

Coders need to understand mathematical concepts like variables and the operators that manipulate them. They need to understand logical expressions and how to use them to get their code to output what it should. And often, coders need to understand how coordinates function to use numbers to indicate a specific location.

Everybody loves learning about science facts! Interesting tidbits like the fact that table salt is made up of one atom of sodium (Na) and one atom of chlorine (Cl) makes for great trivia, but ultimately they fall to the wayside in favor of the real purpose of science classes, which is teaching kids how to organize and parse data.

Science is the class where tables and charts reign supreme, and interestingly enough, coders get quite a bit of practice using tables in their code. Since both coding and science are all about organizing information in useful ways, learning to code definitely helps students get a leg up in science courses. 

It might seem a bit surprising that learning to code can help with a topic as “non-computery” as Language Arts, but in truth, there are areas where the two subjects aren’t all that different.

One of those areas is the pursuit of clarity.

Clean code is good code, for a variety of reasons. When code is written clearly, it is easier to make changes when necessary, and succinct and clear code often will run quicker and with fewer errors. As such, learning to pay attention to the way code is written is an important skill for coders.

That attention to clarity transfers extremely well into Language Arts. In writing, just as in coding, making sure that your arguments are clearly worded and succinct is important for ensuring that your writing has the desired impact.

Learning to code is often compared to learning a foreign language, and for good reason! In both cases, it comes down to learning how to say what you want using the vocabulary and syntax of the language you’re learning. But the skill that transfers best is pattern recognition.

In large part, it’s about practicing the rules of the language, or the grammar. Though it might not always seem that way, those rules are fairly consistent, and part of many foreign language classes is diagramming out the different ways parts go together. Complete sentences get broken down into smaller chunks, like subjects and predicates. Grammar can be surprisingly technical!

Learning to code works in the same way. It’s paying close attention to how the different parts of the code work together to make a larger, cohesive whole. Without a doubt, the pattern recognition skills learned through coding are super helpful in learning a foreign language.

At first glance, coding and the arts don’t really seem to go together. Coding is often thought of as a purely technical skill, whereas arts, like music or painting, are considered to be more creative. But under the surface, the two subjects have more in common than it seems.

Coding, at its core, is an extremely creative activity. The lines of code being written are the coder’s paintbrush, with which they create their art, but coding itself is taking an idea and making it a reality. It’s about creating something new using the materials at hand, or, like a symphony, it can be taking pre-existing ideas and blending them together to make something new.

Learning to code stretches the same creative mental muscles, and gives students practice at coming up with new ways to look at things.

I’ll admit, running a program and running a mile aren’t that similar at all. But that doesn’t mean that learning to code can’t be helpful even in classes like P.E. That’s because there are things that coding can teach that aren’t actually about the code. It’s about character.

Ask any coder and they will tell you that there are times when coding can be tough. Sometimes things don’t work as planned, and you don’t know why. Whether it’s a simple typo in the code or a flaw in the logic itself, problems will often come up. In those moments, it can be really tempting to quit.

The debugging process can become a trial of persistence, and learning to push through the hard moments to achieve your goals. It’s just the sort of persistence that’s needed in gym class! 

And really, this is just scratching the surface!

That’s because learning to code teaches much more than the code itself. It is a platform for learning soft skills that can carry over to so many other parts of life. Whether it’s practicing critical thinking skills or learning to persevere, coding helps kids to grow in ways that they may never have suspected.

Learn more about our online coding programs for elementary, middle, and high school students.

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At CodeWizardsHQ, we firmly believe that the ability to code is an important skill for today’s kids to have for the future, especially when so much of our modern world depends on code to function. Even so, we know that a career in coding may not be what every kid is looking for. 

Still, learning to code has major benefits that makes it a great choice for every kid, no matter what they ultimately decide to do for a career.

Skill 1 – Critical Thinking

At its heart, coding is all about solving a problem using whatever tools that are at hand. Different situations can require different tools, but critical thinking skills can be helpful for solving problems effectively whatever the situation. 

Learning to code is one of the most effective ways of teaching kids great critical thinking skills that can help them throughout their lifetime. 

At its core, critical thinking is the process of examining the information available and making a judgment based on what it tells you. And really, that process is a huge part of what coding is all about. 

Coding is all about identifying and analyzing problems in the data, coming up with and applying a possible solution, and examining the results to see if the fixes worked. 

In essence, a large part of coding is critical thinking, and these critical thinking skills gained through solving coding problems are among some of the most transferable skills that coding can teach.  

They are an important set of skills that can be a big help throughout every stage of life, and which coders will find themselves practicing over and over again.

Skill 2 – Perseverance

Which brings us to our next benefit. Learning to code does a lot to teach kids perseverance. 

Coding can be tough. That’s a good thing! It’s exactly that level of difficulty that allows young coders to learn how to persevere.

Perseverance is the ability to keep moving towards the end goal, even when the path forward feels difficult. It is especially useful during the debugging process when a young coder might not be sure which part of their code is misbehaving. Combing over code to find the problem piece can often feel tedious, and it can be a very real frustration when your virtual plans fall apart. But perseverance in the face of those difficulties is what gives coders the ability to succeed. And nothing compares to the triumphant feeling that comes from overcoming a difficult obstacle. 

Perseverance is a skill that will remain relevant throughout life, from completing homework assignments at school to tackling complex projects at work as adults. Kids who understand the value of perseverance are more successful in so many aspects of life.

Skill 3 – Clear Communication

Because so much of coding is done alone, it can come as a surprise that learning to code can be a real boost to communication skills. But interestingly enough, the ability to code has been shown to help build communication skills in a few different ways. 

First, it serves as great practice for how to communicate clearly. Computers have a hard time understanding directions that aren’t communicated in a very specific way, so coders have to learn to be very careful when giving directions. Writing something just a little bit off can have a large impact on how code is executed. Communicating with people isn’t all that different. Specificity can often be the key to being understood.

Coders also learn how to break complex ideas down into smaller, easier-to-understand chunks. When working with computers, this is a necessary step, but it is a surprisingly useful skill when interacting with other people as well, and can help coders to avoid all sorts of misunderstandings. 

Skill 4 – Following Directions

Another major benefit that can be gained through learning to code is the ability to follow directions. This one might not seem all that impressive at first glance, but it is actually a huge advantage, especially for young coders.

Computers are far better at following directions than people are, and far worse at skipping steps. That means that coders learn to use a great deal of specificity in their code. It also means they get really good at following those directions! 

Doing so is often the only way to find any errors in their own code to figure out why a program is misbehaving. 

Away from computer screens, following directions can still be a big benefit. One of the biggest skills teachers focus on in elementary school is following directions, so coding supports this key education fundamental. Understanding the importance of following directions helps coders to quickly pick up new skills outside of coding and be able to do things right the first time.  

Skill 5 – Creativity

Lastly, learning to code can give young coders a big boost to their creativity. When people think of creative activities, they most often think of the fine arts, like painting or writing music. Occasionally, they may think of artisan crafts, like woodworking. Few people realize that coding is an art, too!

The entire coding process is one of creativity since all code begins as nothing more than an idea in someone’s head. In CodeWizardsHQ classes, even beginning students are encouraged to take projects and make them their own by tying in their individual interests and hobbies. Coders at every level take ideas and turn them into something real, that has an impact on the world in real ways. It is an extremely creative process.

The process of learning to code teaches so much more than how to build apps and websites. Whether coding students plan on a long career in programming or are only learning it for fun, there are strong benefits that come from learning that will be helpful throughout their lifetime. 

While learning these skills isn’t necessarily what people think of when they talk about taking coding classes, they are definitely a large part of the learning experience. And much like we teach kids sports as a way of teaching them teamwork, coding is worth teaching to kids for these peripheral benefits, too.  

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“Oh, my daughter isn’t very interested in coding. She’s not that type”. 

I have heard this so many times from parents that it makes me curious. When there is an opportunity, I pause and ask, “What do you mean?” Usually, they respond by saying something like, “Well, she is more the liberal arts type or life sciences type”.

I realized there’s a misconception that learning to code is only important for kids interested in STEM careers, but the world has quickly moved past that. Computer science has evolved way beyond the idea of a singular field. A foundational understanding of computer programming is useful to your child, regardless of the career path they end up taking, even liberal arts or life sciences. Stephen Wolfram, CEO of Wolfram Alpha, said it best,

“Pick any field X, from archeology to zoology. There either is now a ‘computational X’ or there soon will be. And it’s widely viewed as the future of the field.”

I want to show you how computational thinking is being applied in non-STEM fields today so you can understand how computer programming can help your child, even if she isn’t interested in STEM related careers. Coding will expand the possibilities of how kids work with their passions, helping them capitalize on emerging areas of any industry. 

If you have a high schooler who isn’t quite sure what to major in during college, this article can help expose them to many emerging fields in the hopes that at least one of them will be exciting enough to catch their imagination. 

Computer science brings pre-existing fields of study to the next level, helping experts broaden and deepen their work. Below are a few examples of emerging fields based upon combining established fields with computational processing. These are only a few examples. In reality, the possibility for new discoveries is limitless.

Computational Criminology

Criminology is the study of crime. While this might call to mind forensic science and medical analysis, computer science is helping professionals in the field fight crime.

So how does it work? 

According to the Technical Committee on Computational Forensics, computational forensics uses computational methods to model, simulate, analyze, and solve forensic problems. For example, professionals might use digital recreations of a crime scene based on available data to help judges picture a scenario more clearly, or even modeling how the characteristics of a city affect urban crime rates. 

Simulating these scenarios requires more than just a passion for forensics or the law. You need knowledge on how to craft computational models of real life crime, which calls for data experts and coders. 

Cyber-forensics is a growing field where people with these skills assist criminal investigations to help close cases better and faster. In the future, a degree in criminology or a willingness to fight crime alone might not cut it. Instead, you’ll need a better, computer science-based understanding of how to bring down crime rates.

Computational models are revolutionizing the criminology field by preventing crimes before they even happen, or showing compelling evidence in a more understandable format.

Computational Health Science

Health science has been around for as long as humans have studied their own health and how to improve it. Tools like MRI scanners and ultrasounds brought the patient experience to the next level. Now, it’s looking like computers might be the next big step in transforming what healthcare looks like.

Computational health science is an interdisciplinary field where people with medical expertise and coding skills conduct research through data mining, social network analysis, and more to improve healthcare. 

Computational modeling can play a major role in helping researchers understand health and health behavior. Mining data from online social communities to outline their structure helps practitioners better understand the internal logic behind public health issues.

In the age of COVID-19, tracking the spread of diseases is more important than ever. Researchers have found Twitter to be a valuable tool in determining how the virus spreads through social groups, which is not only helpful in stopping the spread of coronavirus, but also useful for intercepting contaminations in the future.

Is your child interested in the medical field? Learning coding can help them work at the intersection of computational science and health science, tracking outbreaks, implementing better healthcare, and saving lives along the way.

Computational Journalism

In the age of “fake news”, reliable journalism matters more than ever. But these days, journalists aren’t just braving investigations with pen and notepad in hand. Computer science has given them a whole new set of tools to find the truth. 

Computer-assisted reporting is becoming more common, as reporters rely on computers to unearth and analyze data for breaking stories. On sites like FiveThirtyEight, journalists document news through their connection to data. Sources like these are only becoming more and more common, pointing to a larger push within journalism toward data-driven news.

More data means more information to put an individual story into context, making for better storytelling. Outlining patterns through data is more accurate than guesswork, hunches or inconclusive evidence that journalists might have been forced to use otherwise. 

Computational technology is also useful for visualizing trends for an outsider audience, helping journalists introduce their subject in a more clear, efficient manner.

At the end of the day, computational journalism could be about more than just better reporting. 

“If you look across the country, there are…[organizations] making decisions and nobody is watching,” said Jay Hamilton, Hearst Professor of Communication and director of the Journalism Program in a moderated discussion at Stanford, “So I think that’s something where computational journalism can make a real impact. If you have a strong interest in engineering and data, try to help us figure out the stories that go untold, especially at the local level.”

Computational Linguistics

At first glance, linguistics seems like the furthest topic from computers. Language is complex, rich, human. So, how can computers help us break that information down?

Surprisingly, computational approaches are helping linguists decode questions at a brand new scale. Applying artificial intelligence to language has been the key to developing increasingly accurate machine translations, summarizing or analyzing text via emotion or keywords.

While some computational linguists are more concerned with theoretical linguistics, playing with the rules of syntax at a distance, others might develop algorithms from their understanding of linguistics to break down text. With the help of a computer, you can go big or small in scale: scanning thousands of texts to instantly find patterns or uncover the hidden emotional intent behind certain linguistic choices.

Language is ultimately both an art and a science, and the better we can understand it as a science the more appreciation we’ll gain for it as an art. 

Computational Agriculture

Agriculture has already come a long way from farmers simply plowing the field to make a living. Nowadays it’s also a science dedicated to studying how to best cultivate crops, making food better and faster than ever possible.

While tools like location or optical sensors are popping up to track the properties of soil, positioning, plants, and more, this information wouldn’t be useful without a way to analyze it. 

That’s where an agritech professional steps in. Farmers need better data on how to feed more people. With the computing capabilities of a machine on their side, a computational specialist can analyze the data on a field and look for ways to reduce pesticide usage, improve crop quality, and simplify the harvesting process.

Agriculture is another example of a very old industry embracing transformation through technology. Learning coding is a great way to pave the path for anyone who’s interested in combining an interest in data with sustainability or better foods.

Computational Art

When we think of art, we think hands-on. Ancient sculptors carved their work by hand. Painters spent years in studios layering brushstroke after brushstroke on a canvas. So how are virtual spaces relevant for artists?

At its roots, art is about creativity. A computer is just another tool to express creative visions. 

While most of us have probably only doodled in M.S. Paint, computational artists rely on far more sophisticated tools. Coding is how they can generate original patterns or illustrations in a completely virtual environment, creating something impossible to craft by hand. Even if they’re more inclined to having a physical practice, tools like 3D printers, robotics, computer-generated textiles, laser cutters, and more are revolutionizing how precisely an artist can bring their work to life. 

Is your child an aspiring artist? They’ll be interested to learn how modern technology can bring their ideas to the forefront. Understanding computer logic is the first step toward a much more expansive canvas.

Computational Biology

Collecting large quantities of data in a short amount of time is now easier than ever. Bioinformatics, the study of creating tools to break down large quantities of complex biological data with the assistance of computers, has been around since the 1950s.

Computational biology parallels bioinformatics but refers more specifically to the process of analyzing and reviewing biological data. Simulating biological relationships, structures, and genomes has helped researchers accomplish feats like sequence the human genome. 

Instead of spending years collecting more data through lab work, biologists can select data sets related to their topics of research to analyze. Biology has always been about the interconnectedness between systems and species. Computational biology is just a better tool for future biologists to understand how everything fits together.

Computational Architecture/Design

Architecture is already an interdisciplinary field. You need knowledge of design, psychology, art, and mathematics to construct a building that’s not just aesthetically pleasing, but also solid.

A tech-savvy architect can make use of programming to pull together their best design work. Computational design depends more on visual programming rather than text-based coding, letting architects explore more design options, combine data with visualizations, and simulate building performance by running environmental tests.

Computational Psychology

What can we know about the human psyche? If your child wants to work in psychology, this is the question they’ll confront every day at work. How can computers help us understand our own minds?

Surprisingly enough, technology like artificial intelligence and neural network modeling is adept at modeling the mathematical system of human minds. 

People are not machines, but our world is constructed on the basis of symbols almost similar to how a computer works. Computers don’t seek to replicate the complexity of the human mind. What they do is represent our mental processes through modeling. 

Through computational psychology, even emotions or perception can be simulated with computers, providing psychologists a better understanding of what might motivate certain human behaviors. Having a grasp on coding will help any aspiring psychologist become proficient with computer-based tools for understanding cognitive behavior.

Computational Physics

Physicists have been using computers in research since the 1940s, simulating the performance of ballistics and nuclear weapons as well as fluid dynamics. Nowadays computation has application in both theoretical and experimental physics, used not only to model systems but also for complex calculations within the framework of those systems. 

In physics, mathematical models are essential to predicting how systems behave. At the same time, solving the math doesn’t mean that you’ve cracked the case on useful predictions. 

Sheer complexity means that the mathematical model doesn’t always accurately represent reality. In these cases, a computer can perform approximate calculations far more accurately than a person.

Physical experimentation is rarely the most useful way to examine system behavior. Understanding how to use computational tools like MATLAB is essential for almost every major branch of physics, from fluid dynamics to astrophysics.

Computational Chemistry

While a good deal of chemistry work happens in the lab, computational programs are assisting chemists in uncovering new chemical phenomena, especially in fields with well-established mathematical methods. 

You can run calculations on molecule structure, size, energies, reactivity, and more. Computers can optimize how you synthesize compounds based on possible relationships. They’re also used to calculate or predict chemical properties and interactions, which is especially useful in developing life-saving drugs.

A computational chemist bridges the gap between theoretical and experimental chemistry, whether it’s simulating experiments to justify a new study or breaking down previously synthesized data. They collaborate with lab researchers in identifying reaction pathways, simulating chemical processes, estimating likely products, designing experiments, and whatever else their work responsibilities call for. With the wider availability of data in the world of chemistry, computational chemistry will only grow in the future.

Computational Mathematics

Math is an ancient field that’s developed since the early days of human history. In its fundamental form it’s about finding patterns, designing conjectures, coming up with proof. 

These days, everyone knows that computers are the best calculators. But the integration of computers into math is about more than just the pocket calculator on your smartphone. Computers are useful for discovering new algorithms when you have an exponential amount of variables to take into account, accounting for massive quantities of data in the study of statistics, and automatically proving theorems with computer programs. 

Since mathematics itself forms the basis of several other sciences, it should come as no surprise that learning computational mathematics has broad applications across fields like logistics, business analytics, computer engineering, banking, medical research, and more. 

Computational Finance

Computational finance is a great example of a field marrying computer science, math, and financial studies for practical applications. 

When you think of Wall Street, what comes to mind is probably the image of people monitoring stock prices throughout the day. Thanks to computational finance, this is far outdated. Nowadays your average trader relies on algorithmic trading, wherein computer programs follow predefined instructions based on timing, price, quantity, or anything else you can express through mathematical models. It’s instantaneous, responding far faster to market changes than any individual can. 

You still need a great understanding of market trends and the computer know-how to put together an algorithm that operates your trading for you. People with knowledge in computational finance can find great success in financial research or strategizing, risk management, sales, and more.

Recommended: Python Classes for Kids and Teens

Computational Musicology

“Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.”― Alphonse de Lamartine

Do you like music? Chances are, you’ve enjoyed computer-generated sound. Even setting aside algorithmic composition, human musicians are using artificial intelligence in their art. After “listening” to enough source material, computers analyze the common patterns in music (e.g. chords, length, tempo, melody) and generate their own output. While computers are still not ready to generate outright hits, they’re advanced enough to create music indistinguishable from human creations.

The actual study of musicology is also delving more into computer science. Computers can analyze music far more efficiently than the human ear, picking up on the evolution of musical style throughout a given time period. 

Whether you’re interested in music as a general course of study or from a musical standpoint, computers are a great tool in expanding your understanding of music and will only become more relevant to the art and science of the field.

Computational Philosophy

Philosophy is another ancient study that’s been around for millennia. Ever since humans have been able to think, we’ve wanted to understand why we are here, what we can do, how to define the parameters of morality. 

Math and logic are the underpinnings of philosophy, so it should come as no surprise that computers aid philosophers in proof-checking the same way they do with mathematicians. The basis of philosophical theory can be stripped down to functions and logics, and computer programs can examine the internal soundness of any proof if it’s converted into a mathematical formula. 

Cognitive science, which has a good deal of overlap with philosophy, draws heavily on computational programs to predict human behavior. Using this information to infer on topics such as free will is yet another form of proof for a philosopher’s argument. Computational philosophy is a driving force advancing this classical field in more complex ways than it has ever progressed before.

Computational Epidemiology/Public Health

Epidemiology is a cornerstone of public health, and the main focus of computational aspects of the public health field. It involves studying determinants and patterns of public health such as disease.

Just like the aforementioned computational health science, where scientists can mine information from social media to track the spread of disease, public health professionals are able to do similar tasks to better stop infections from spreading quickly. Using large sets of data usually collected via computer, they generate mathematical models concerning a disease/infection. Running simulations can help predict the multiple possible outcomes within a given environment. This information can be crucial not just for public health policy, but also for politicians looking to implement relevant policies. 

At the moment, researchers are using simulations to study the spread of COVID-19 so countries can combat the virus more effectively with preventative measures. Knowing what to focus on is the first step in a good intervention strategy, and without the programming knowledge public health officials might have difficulty formulating a strategy.

So What is Coding Good For?

Coding skills aren’t just useful for helping your kid land a job as a software engineer. No matter what they’re interested in, coding literacy is a relevant skill.

At CodeWizardsHQ, we believe coding prepares kids for success in a digital future. They’re able to learn programming, problem solving, and logistical thinking in an exciting hands-on environment that does more than teach them the basic principles. It teaches them how to apply them. And unlike so many video based programs, our coding classes, for elementary, middle, and high school, are live and provide extensive out of the classroom support.

Knowing how to code will help them tap into emerging areas of fields that already exist and thrive in ways none of you might have thought possible. Put simply, it’s a way to discover new possibilities while still sticking close to their passions. It’s another tool in their toolkit that will help them succeed in the world of the future. 

The post Why Your Kids Should Learn Coding (Even If They Aren’t Interested in STEM) appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Minecraft. If you’ve had any interest in computers over the last decade, you’ve heard of it. As of 2021, Minecraft has amassed 140 million active players worldwide. It is a wildly popular game that has made the leap from being pure entertainment into a genuinely useful program. Classrooms around the world use it as a place to teach and learn about all sorts of things in a hands-on and visual way. Educators are using the game for everything from science classes to high school graduations, which begs the question, “Can Minecraft teach coding for kids?”

Want to learn about coding games like Minecraft? Start with a coding class:

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

Take one of our 12-week coding classes for kids or 1-week Minecraft coding camps to level up your gaming by becoming a game developer.

What is Minecraft?

Minecraft is primarily a game about collecting and placing digital blocks in a three-dimensional world to create all sorts of things! The game itself doesn’t give the players any real instructions or defined goals for what they should do. Instead, it leaves that up to the players themselves.

First off, what even is Minecraft?

Minecraft is primarily a game about collecting and placing digital blocks in a three-dimensional world to create all sorts of things! The game itself doesn’t give the players any real instructions or defined goals for what they should do. Instead, it leaves that up to the players themselves.

That blank-slate style of gameplay combined with a huge open world to explore and build in works very well to inspire creativity. It’s a concept called a “sandbox”, where players can explore and build, and has proven to be immensely popular, especially among kids. It’s an expansive game and has something for all sorts of players.

There are two main modes: Survival Mode and Creative Mode.

Both modes can be played as a single-player experience, but they can also be played as multiplayer games. As a multiplayer experience, players can choose to interact with the world at large, or to only play with players they already know on small personal servers.  

Some play the game in “Survival Mode” because they enjoy fighting off zombies and skeletons while collecting the resources needed to build a home. Others revel in exploring the different locations generated by the game and searching for treasures. Many prefer to use “Creative Mode” to build entire cities without having to deal with the inconveniences of collecting resources or fighting off enemies. On top of the normal game modes there are also player made “mods” that add their very own sets of rules.  

Some even use Minecraft to learn to code.

What Coding Language Does Minecraft Use?

Minecraft was originally coded in a programming language called Java. Microsoft has since made plenty of additions and tweaks to how Minecraft is coded.

The Bedrock edition is written in C++ and it’s been adapted in other languages for different platforms like iOS, but Java still makes up the largest portion of Minecraft’s coding languages. It is also the programming language that people most often interact with when coding mods for Minecraft.

Java is a very common programming language around the world, which has helped increase the game’s popularity. It can be seen in a wide variety of well-known projects, like Wikipedia Search, or monitoring and controlling NASA’s Mars rovers. Millions of programmers depend on Java on a daily basis to get their jobs done. You may even be using Java programming at this very moment, since it is also the language used to build Android apps!

Needless to say, programmers who know how to work in Java are in huge demand and have been for some time. Despite how fast-moving technology is, Java has been around since 1995 and it continues to be an effective programming language.

Minecraft mods are typically written in Java, but they aren’t the easiest starting point for someone just learning to code. Rather, they are a project to aspire to. That’s ok, though, because there are plenty of other ways to start learning about coding in Minecraft.

Recommended: Minecraft Texture Packs

What Programming Concepts Can Minecraft Teach?

Minecraft wasn’t actually designed to be a teaching tool, so it’s surprising how well it works for that purpose. There are a ton of different programming concepts you can teach your kids using the game, even without opening up the code itself.

Redstone

Part of the fun of Minecraft comes from building wondrous contraptions that do whatever you want them to do! The main ingredient for doing this in Minecraft is using an in-game resource called Redstone. It works roughly like electrical wiring and its uses are almost limitless. While making smaller things with Redstone can be fairly simple, more complex constructs require learning more advanced programming concepts. 

Some of CodeWizardsHQ’s students have made some truly remarkable Redstone devices, from self-harvesting farms to archery ranges that can automatically give out rewards for good shooting. All of it comes out of an understanding of the programming basics demonstrated through Redstone mechanics.  

Much like a computer’s binary language, Redstone exists in either a powered or unpowered state. Learning how to use those signals through logic gates is a key element to getting things to work. The main problem with this approach is that figuring all this out on your own can be difficult to figure out without help. It is possible to learn a great deal through experimentation, but it is not the simplest nor the most direct way to learn most coding concepts. Many kids can overcome that difficulty by watching online tutorials that show them the basics. From there, a little inspiration and motivation are all that’s needed to get them learning the basics of programming in a fun way!

Console Commands and Command Blocks

A more direct way of interacting with coding in Minecraft is through the Minecraft console commands. These are written commands that you can type into the chat box to make things happen in your Minecraft world. It allows players to do things like change the weather cycle, teleport to far-off places or create items that would otherwise be impossible to get. This in itself isn’t truly coding, but it does teach an important concept about coding. That’s the idea that the things that we type into the computer can have an effect on the digital world in front of us.

In 2012 a new block, called the command block, was added to Minecraft that took console commands to the next level. These blocks can execute console commands in the game itself whenever certain requirements are met. When coupled with Redstone engineering, command blocks can introduce complex concepts like conditionals. This changes the commands found in the console into a kind of Minecraft coding language.

This Minecraft coding language doesn’t work outside of the game, but it does a great job of introducing programming basics to new students.

Minecraft Pi (Python Modding)

The next step is moving out of learning programming concepts and into actual code. It is a good idea to start with simple and well-documented languages, like Python. One way to practice Python is with Minecraft Pi. Minecraft Pi is a version of Minecraft developed specifically for the Raspberry Pi. The game comes for free with Raspberry Pi devices, but the real draw is the modding console that comes alongside it. This console allows coders to use the Python language to build mods that change the gameplay in Minecraft. Changes happen in real-time so students can immediately see what their code does. It’s an awesome way to play around with the Python language and learn a lot about what it can do!

While the game is a great motivation to dive into coding, it doesn’t actually teach Python itself. Instead, it is necessary to look up one of the many tutorials online and use it to learn Python. You could also take a live class in our middle school or high school coding program to start learning Python

Recommended: How to Install Minecraft Mods

Code.org – Minecraft Hour of Code (JavaScript)

Java and Python are both great languages to learn, but they are far from the only ones out there. If you’re interested in learning JavaScript instead, Minecraft Hour of Code through Code.org might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Hour of Code doesn’t actually use the Minecraft game to teach coding. Instead, it is coding Minecraft characters using the Blockly editor created by Google and MIT. Blockly is a drag-and-drop JavaScript editor that allows a student to use pre-made blocks of code to solve different challenges. Each block uses real JavaScript code that the student can view to get a better picture of what is happening behind the scenes.

It is a gamified way of teaching coding that uses the Minecraft theme to great effect. And it’s a lot of fun!

You can find more gamified methods of coding education on our list of coding for kids free resources. 

Also check out the Minecraft and other free hour of code activities.

Minecraft: Education Edition

The other big way that Minecraft is helping kids learn to code is through Minecraft: Education Edition.

Education Edition is a version of Minecraft created specifically for use in school settings. As such, it has features aimed at helping teachers to manage their classrooms, like the ability to limit where students can go, or what they can change in-game. It has special items designed to facilitate taking notes when doing assignments and there are a ton of maps that teachers created to teach interesting topics in a virtual setting.

While maps built for teaching code do exist, the platform itself isn’t aimed at coding. Instead of teaching a specific topic, it acts as a virtual classroom space used to teach any topic.

Education Edition also has limited availability. It is only for schools and organizations that can prove that they are using it to further the education of large groups of kids.

Recommended: How to Make a Minecraft Server

Can Minecraft Teach My Kid to Code?

Minecraft has proven to be a flexible platform for education. It has been used as a tool for teaching a myriad of concepts, so it makes sense to assume it would be useful for teaching coding to kids. And it is! 

Minecraft does a great job of providing an environment to learn coding in by giving students both a place to virtually meet with their educators and by visually showing them the effects that coding can have. But it isn’t as simple as launching the game and letting the kids learn. Instead, it works best as one of many tools used in a more complete coding curriculum.

As part of our interactive coding curriculum we teach our students how to create their very own games based off of Minecraft. They’re able to learn programming in an exciting hands-on environment that does more than teach them the basic principles. It teaches them how to apply them. And unlike so many video-based programs, our coding classes for elementary, middle, and high school, are taught by live teachers so our students can get feedback on their projects in real-time.

The main thing is this: Minecraft on its own will not be able to teach a kid how to code. Rather, it is a great way to build their interest in coding and can be useful as an educational tool in a well-crafted curriculum. 

The post How Minecraft Teaches Kids to Code appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Education in 2020 has made a significant shift to the online classroom and remote learning. 

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of CodeWizardsHQ, we surveyed 2,000 American parents of school-aged children and examined both parents and students’ biggest challenges with digital learning during this unique school year. 

Read our top kids online learning statistics and download the infographic.

Kids Remote Learning Stats

94% of American parents are concerned about “summer slide” or learning loss as the result of COVID-related disruptions to the previous school year, according to new research.

55% of parents believe digital schooling is conducive to their child’s learning style.

On average, respondents’ children have been enrolled in digital or hybrid schooling for three months over the course of the current school year and the last. 

76% of those parents are also concerned that their child’s academic performance will be impacted by the shift to remote learning. 

According to parents, top remote learning pain points in this period include:

1. Bandwidth issues (54%)
2. Missing the group interactions of in-person class (40%)
3. Becoming distracted by other things in the remote schooling environment (39%)
4. Delays related to teachers’ tech learning curve (36%)
5. Struggling to focus during online class (32%)

When it came to the features that parents felt would make their child’s online learning process easier, having all classes recorded for reference (40%) and the ability to live chat teachers or instructors for help (35%) were among the most desired attributes.

Respondents also reported the skills and hobbies they would most like their children to take up in the future

• 3 in 10 parents wanted their kids to take part in engineering-related activities.
• 1 in 4 want their child to learn how to code, and 73% of parents, moreover, say that this school year for their children to try it, since fewer typical extracurricular activities will be available.

Coding Education Stats

According to parents, top skills parents want their children to acquire:

1. Engineering (31%)
2. Learning to code (26%)
3. Learning a different language (22%)
4. Writing (11%)
5. Starting their own business (5%)

In regards to coding education specifically, many parents see it as an important skill:

• 77% of American parents wish they had learned how to code while they were still in school.
• 63% of American parents think schools should teach programming of some sort as part of the core curriculum
• 73% of American parents say they would rather their child learn to code than learn a foreign language.
• 79% of parents want their child to learn how to code primarily so they can be an informed internet citizen

86% of parents worry that their child doesn’t have all of the skills they need to be successful in their future. So, parents are looking forward rather than at the current school year alone:

• Over half (55%) of American parents believe their child’s dream job is one that doesn’t even exist yet.  
• 68% of American parents believe their child will need to learn to code no matter what field they choose to enter. 
• Moreover, 77% of American parents believe that coding is the most important skill their child will need to succeed in the digital economy. 

Do you have an interesting statistic about kids online learning? Share with me in our Facebook group.

The post Kids Online Learning Statistics for 2020 appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Learning to code has become as popular as the top national sports and with good reason! 

Recently, coding has gone from being a cool after school activity to becoming part of educational legislation. To us, it’s obvious why kids should learn to code. 33 states have passed bills in the last five years to officially offer programming in the school curriculum. Coding classes for kids have been integrated into traditional courses and many states are offering math and foreign language credit for taking programming classes. 

Coding is a foundational tool critical for student success in the 21st Century.

Coding classes are popping up left and right, and the challenge of finding the right coding class for your kid has become increasingly difficult. Variety is the spice of life but making choices and evaluating coding programs can be really complicated! 

 Download Infographic

How to Evaluate Coding Classes for Your Kid 

Here are some of the major considerations when choosing the best coding class for your student.

Value:

Let’s start with an important aspect of any activity – PRICE. Parents have to consider budget. Coding classes can range from free to hundreds of dollars a month. Continuous learning is the best way for kids to actually “learn” the material so making sure they have access to a platform on which they can practice their skills at any time is vital. 

Convenience:

No one wants to make a long commute in order to get students to an activity. Are you willing to drive your student to classes and how far? Are you including the time spent in traffic to your evaluation? Or do you prefer an online course or one at your child’s school? Can you travel while your child is in the course?

Active Learning

The teaching method and style offered in top coding schools gravitate toward student-centered, active learning. Coding games for kids are popular and nothing beats being able to write code yourself. Active learning engages students more fully in the content and leads to a deeper and fuller understanding. Quality programs will offer students opportunities to present projects and practice skills with minimal lecture.

“The meta-analysis, published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, concluded that teaching approaches that turned students into active participants rather than passive listeners reduced failure rates and boosted scores on exams by almost one-half a standard deviation.” – Aleszu BajakMay from Science.com

Ages Served:

The best coding classes offer age-appropriate courses which increase in rigor and challenge as students mature. Classes with this type of continuity offer reliable routine and structure, important for kids of all ages. 

“Structure and routines teach kids how to constructively manage themselves and their environments.”- Aha Parenting 

Student/Teacher Ratio:

Class sizes can have an immense impact on learning. Thus, it is an important consideration when considering a coding class. Quality coding classes offer small class sizes so that individual student needs can be met. 

Flexible Schedule:

A key consideration in choosing a coding program is how the schedule and format fit into the family calendar. Quality coding classes will offer a variety of class durations and options to catch up via self-paced components or recorded review of classes if a session is missed. They should also have a solid teaching methodology that is published and followed by all teachers. Parents should see clear evidence of a well thought out pedagogy. Quality coding classes will gladly provide this information in detail.

• How is content delivered?
• How does content change depending on age?
• Are classes teacher-centered, student-centered, or a mix of both?
• How are teachers trained?
• How are students evaluated?
• How do teachers communicate with parents? (this may be a little out of the scope but still a very worthwhile question!)  

Teachers:

Quality coding classes should require a full background check on all teachers, just as any school is required to do. Any adult interacting with students, whether online or in-person, should go through a full background check. A good coding school will also vet every teacher to be sure every teacher has the experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm necessary for a positive student experience. Your child’s safety and quality interaction are key when choosing a coding class.

Extra Help & Missed Classes: 

Children learn at different paces and it is important that they have help available when needed. A quality coding class will offer additional help for students who are struggling or have missed a class and need to catch up. Additional help should be easy to schedule at convenient times for the student.

The Curriculum:

Quality coding classes will offer paths for students to gain an overview of several languages and technologies, as well as the opportunity to focus on particular areas of interest. Students and parents should discuss which kinds of programs are the best fit. For instance, do your students want to learn about a theme? Or do you want the knowledge to be foundational and grow in a sequential way that can provide a well-rounded skill set? To illustrate the concept, let’s use a travel example. Before a trip to Europe, you might sign up for classes that teach basic phrases in several languages like ¡Hola! ¿Dónde está el baño? – Hello! Where is the bathroom? You would also study these same basic phrases in French or other languages that fit your itinerary. This would be “theme” based learning. Perhaps you decide you want to spend more time in France and want to learn the language in-depth. After in-depth study and practice, you will be able to speak fluent French to help make your trips to France more enjoyable. This idea is the same in coding; students can learn the basics of an “area” or can take a series of courses that can in time provide the ability for complex thoughts to be communicated.  

Community:

Quality programs create a community environment where students can communicate and interact with each other in a safe space. This sense of community can be a great support system and network for students struggling to learn difficult coding concepts. In addition, they can ask each other questions and even make new friends.

 Prepare your child for success: If you are looking for your child to learn to code, explore our live, instructor-led coding classes. Thousands of satisfied students. Highly rated. [Find Out More]

What should I look for in a coding class for my kid?

We have asked some experts and #TechEduambassadors their opinion about how to choose the right coding class for your kid. These are their answers.

“The terms of service. While corporate apps need to monetize, tools like Scratch (built by teachers for teachers) respect student data and privacy.”

– Brian Aspinall

Brian is a globe-trekking educator on a mission to expose as many kids to Computer Science as possible. He is the author of @codebreakeredu, @blockbreakeredu, has given TEDx Talks, & received the prestigious Canadian Prime Minister’s Award. Follow him @mraspinall!

“There are so many coding programs available for kids that it’s hard to choose the right one. I’ve reviewed hundreds of programs over the years with very mixed results. The problem with evaluating programs is that very few parents have the technical and/or educational background to find the good ones. Good programs effectively teach the content. That means the program creators have a firm grasp on both pedagogical (how to teach kids) best practices and ability-appropriate content. 

The first thing I do when I evaluate a program is head over to the “Our Team” page on their website. I look for a strong educator and content expert on the team. Most programs lack an expert educator, believing that expert programmers are all that’s needed. If I don’t see an educator with classroom experience on the team, that’s a huge red flag, yet I see it all the time. 

Next, I look at what the kids will be doing in the program. I look for programs that balance providing content knowledge with open creativity. Many programs are too structured, leaving no room for creativity. If every kid’s project looks the same at the end of a lesson, that’s a problem. Kids learn coding best when they are able to express themselves through relevant projects. Kids should have a choice and be able to express their voice.

Lastly, I look at the programming environment itself. I look for age-appropriateness. Recent research has shown the benefits kids enjoy when they start their journey into coding using a visual block-based programming language. I look for block-based coding for elementary and younger. For middle school and above block-based isn’t a requirement, but it’s nice to see if they have a transitional option to start with block-based and move to a text-based language as they grow. I’ve noticed that most teams with an experienced educator choose appropriate coding environments because they understand the importance of scaffolding and meeting kids in their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). For middle school and younger, I couldn’t care less about “real-world professional programming languages,” don’t get caught in that trap.”

– Grant Smith

Grant is an educator fascinated by the challenge of teaching children computer science. Currently, he’s the Director of Education for codeSpark, a company focused on teaching elementary kids how to code. When he’s not teaching, he’s writing. He’s the author of Everything You Need to Ace Coding and Computer Science in One Big Fat Notebook. He has also written multiple coding curricula. For more information, visit Grant at http://wgrantsmith.com or on Twitter @wgrantsmith.

“I think it is always important to figure out what the purpose is when using any tech, or teaching something like coding. There, of course, are concerns about access and that has to be the first consideration is making sure students have access, the resource is something that will benefit students beyond short term and that will help them to develop a variety of skills.

 I like trying to find resources that parents can also use to work with/learn with students at home as well.  I try to focus on how it can be used, beyond for a computer science course, or STEAM, how can we apply it beyond certain content areas and grade levels.”

– Rachelle Dene Poth

Rachelle is a French, Spanish and STEAM Teacher. She also works as an EdTech Consultant, through THRIVEinEDU LLC. You can follow her on Twitter or visit her website. She is the author of “In Other Words” and “The Future is Now” bit.ly/Pothbooks. 

As students move from being content consumers to content creators, the CodeWizardsHQ program prepares them to create AR & VR of the future.”

– Jamie Donally 

Jaime Donally is a passionate technology enthusiast. She began her career as a math teacher and later moved into Instructional Technology. Follow her on Twitter or visit her website. 

“When looking at programs, look for the benefits after the program. Skillset and knowledge that will be gained. An experience that can be useful when applying for colleges and jobs. You will then see the value in the money or time spent, building for the future.”

– Brandie Ann Meister

Brandie is the director of ChickTech-Austin an organization that engages women & girls of all ages in the tech industry while working to create a better tech culture for all. Learn more at https://chicktech.org/

“Before selecting a coding program I think that parents should ask themselves two questions. One, will my child be challenged by the material? And two, will my child be engaged by the material? Finding the perfect balance between what a student will be challenged by and what the student will enjoy, will ensure that students feel they are making good use of their time and that parents are making good use of their money.”

– Elizabeth Rodriguez

Elizabeth is the Executive Director of SoHacks. The largest Hackathon of the South. 

“As a parent, you want to encourage your kids to be curious, creative, and seek joy when learning. When learning a programming language, I would advise to start with the end result goal, maybe building a game or a fun tool, and then working backward to build it. That also gives the opportunity to build the same game/tool with a few different programming languages to see their advantages & disadvantages.”

– Domingo Guerra 

Domingo is a Mexican Entrepreneur that took Silicon Valley by storm with Appthority a mobile security company, co-founded and later sold to Symantec. Follow him on Twitter.

“The instructor and his/her ability to connect with the students.”

– Chris Butler

Chris is the CEO of URAllowance, he is focused on education and preparing our youth for tomorrow. Follow him on Twitter.

1. That it fits in their schedule (not taking up too much time each lesson) broken down into short components.
2. That the lessons are easily understood by the student and do not need extensive help from the teacher. (Independent work preferred).
3. That the coding program transfers over to a future career benefit/opportunity.
4. If for higher education, there is a guide or understanding of how many credits the completion of the course would give on a transcript.
5. The coding program uses up to date technology and/or languages

– Deborah Wuehler

Deborah is the Senior Editor, Director of Production at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine,  the trade magazine and a top resource in home education since 2001! Follow them on Twitter.

I would advise parents to look at how a program is going to engage and involve the kids. Every student is different, and every student learns differently, so I would hope to see programs that have a variety of educational techniques from hands-on learning to experimental and your classic lecturing, but I don’t think a program should focus solely on one technique. Additionally, I think it depends on the age of the student, but you want to make sure the program is going to be “fun” and allow students to use their creativity as they learn. “

– Christina Cardoza

Christina is an experienced technology and software development reporter and currently the Senior Editor for SDTimes. Follow her on Twitter.

“Coding, in my opinion, is best taught as a means to an end. Find out what your child is interested in and what programs they need to learn to accomplish a task. Also, I’m not sure there are very many “programs” that would fit your definition that are available on the open market for parents to engage with. Most are out-of-school programs that have week-long sessions or that meet once a month for a school year. I don’t know of any bootcamps that are open to K12 students.

The cool thing about coding is that it can be learned in all different kinds of ways, depending on how the child learns best. Start with some block-based programming at younger ages to teach computational thinking. Don’t invest heavily in really expensive toys…you can get a micro: bit for $18 and it’s just as engaging and can teach even more than a $100+ robot. Once you know your child likes coding and wants to learn more, point him or her to a free online platform. Do they like game design? Try Alice. Do they want to develop a mobile app? Introduce the child to AppLab or MIT App Inventor. Are they older and want a deep dive into coding? Start with Khan Academy, Codecademy or EdX and move to university Open Courseware…like MIT, Yale or Harvard. Is there an interest in cybersecurity? Maybe work towards a CompTIA certification. “

– Debi Pfitzenmaier

Debi is the founder of Youth Code Jam in San Antonio, TX. Follow her on Twitter. 

“I would look for a program that emphasizes creating algorithms and solving problems. I would not focus on the particular programming languages that are used in the program.

I would also look for a program allows students to pick the problems they solve. Not necessarily all the time, but at least some of the time.”

– Mike Scott

Mike is a Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin in the Computer Science Department. Visit his website. 

“A hallmark to a good coding curriculum for youth and young adults is gamification. Engaging young people in coding requires their excitement – gamification and fun built-in really drives youth to go further and try more. They want to achieve that next level or rank. Along the way, they should be able to tie the work they are doing to a problem they are solving.”

– Scott Luikart

Scott is a Salesforce MVP, Golden Hoodie Dreamforce 2017, and he is currently Salesforce Admin at Whole Foods Market. Follow him on Twitter. 

“First, they need to consider what language the camp is based on. Scratch and other simple languages are great for younger kids or children who like the bright colours and ease of use, but more “advanced” languages, such as Python, Go, or Java, leave more doors open for innovation and expression and are used in business environments where fluency and understanding can really make a difference.

The second is how big the class is. Is the class packed like sardines in a tin? If so, the kids might not be able to get all their questions answered, unless there are plenty of teachers to keep up. Worse yet, an overcrowded class could mean a physically cramped and uncomfortable workspace, especially if the activities include a moving bot. On the other hand, however, an empty class might mean the student misses out on the “summer camp buzz.” Also, there are fewer children to form a group with, which can be a problem because working in groups is conducive to learning and sharing and is what provides the social aspect that is a large part of the purpose of this kind of camp in the first place. Thirdly, one has to take a look at the teachers. Do they have any real-world experience with coding, especially in the language they’re teaching? Have at least some of them run similar camps before, or perhaps even have actual educational experience? For any kind of camp for children, safety should always be considered, as well. While it’s not nice to think about, are the teachers and staff suitable to take care of children on their own? Will there be someone who is CPR-certified or has first-aid credentials? Is the location relatively secure and will a security officer of some kind be present? Another consideration is whether the camp is age-appropriate. What’s fun and engaging for a seven-year-old might be dull and repetitive for a twelve-year-old and completely disorienting and frustrating for a three-year-old. Visual editors, like Scratch, can be perfect for younger kids because there’s no worrying over typos or a missed colon, not to mention the bright colors and ability to hit “Run” at any time. On the other hand, kids with a solid grasp on spelling and formatting might find text-based IDEs to be more challenging and more engaging, especially since they have more options for creativity and more areas to explore, and also provide the knowledge that what they’re learning is closer to how a “pro” does it. Different levels of complexity and focus can be tuned to the child’s age and stage of brain development, which ultimately means a happier child with more coding know-how. 

On a closely-related, but different, note, parents need to assess whether the camp is appropriate for their child’s knowledge level. If a class claims to be good for everyone from beginners to knowledgeable experts, chances are that those at the ends of the spectrum will find it boring and frustrating. Parents should try to find a class that is clearly meant for certain levels of knowledge, and, of course, make sure their child fits those levels. “

– Geek Families, San Antonio 

Connect with them: www.geekfamilies.net, Facebook, Twitter.

Keep it light and fun.

– @thewellpaidgeek

Our mystery contributor has been coding for 20+ years and is a  JavaScript & web expert. He has a passion for teaching people to code. Follow him on Twitter. 

 Prepare your child for success: If you are looking for your child to learn to code, explore our live, teacher-led coding classes. Thousands of satisfied students. Highly rated. [Find Out More]

This blog post was written by Ana-Maria Medina. Elizabeth Rodriguez provided an invaluable connection for expert advice. Feedback was given by our amazing teachers; Sabreena Osborne, Ivann Grande, Margaret Choi, and Elaine Hill!

The post Choose the Right Coding Class For Your Kid appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Here are 6 charts all middle school parents should see. The charts are backed by data from reputed sources like the Brookings Institution, College Board, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Gallup, and more.

All middle school parents will find that these charts collectively reflect the kind of world our kids will be graduating into.

1. Computing jobs are the #1 source of new wages in the United States.

We also see that computing jobs are infiltrating every field of study. This growth is projected at twice the rate of all other jobs. This means that we, as parents, need to prepare our children with computing skills.

2. 71% of STEM jobs are in computing, but only 8% of STEM graduates are in computing.

3. The lifetime earnings of a computer science graduate are 40% more than other college graduates.

With computer science skills permeating in every field of study, this gap will increase further!

4. You want your daughter to start computer science early.

The diversity problem persists over time. This happens because, although 91% of girls are aware of computer science, only 44% say they are willing to try it. This is similar for minorities — 53% of blacks and 54% of Hispanics are open to trying it.

5. Students enjoy computer science more than we think.

Out of several academic disciplines, this chart show that students actually enjoy computer science. Surprising?

6. Most middle school parents want their child to learn computer science, but schools don’t teach it yet.

While most middle school parents do realize the importance of learning programming skills, they do not have access to a structured coding curriculum. You can either check out our curriculum or check out the carefully curated list of 22 coding websites that introduce coding to kids.

The post 6 Charts Every Parent Should See appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

You want your child to learn to code. Your child isn’t that interested. It’s quite common.

Many parents ask us for ammunition that they can use to convince their child to learn to code. Something they can show to their kids.

In response, we’ve compiled these videos that will inspire and motivate your child to learn programming.

The best way to engage kids is to start with where their current interests lie. That is why this list is organized based on interests.

1. For Everyone!

The video that started the coding for kids revolution. Starring Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, will.i.am, Chris Bosh, Jack Dorsey, Tony Hsieh, Drew Houston, Gabe Newell, Ruchi Sanghvi, Elena Silenok, Vanessa Hurst, and Hadi Partovi. (5 mins)

2. Dance & Code

“For the longest time, code was completely separate from dance. I never really put them together and they were two completely different worlds, until a few years ago when I got the idea to combine code and dance to create iLuminate.”

3. Video Games & Code

“I make a lot of things with code but they all go into one thing, which is a video game. There is more to video games that throwing a football around or driving a fast car. The great thing about making a video game is that it encompasses just about every creative activity that you can imagine.”

4. Animation & Code

“There is a million things you can do with code in animated films. You can use code to make a leaf flutter. You can make a giant head of red curly hair that moves appropriate with the character. You can make water. You can make schools of fish with code. You can have a car drive on a road with code. You can make cloth that moves with the characters. There are so many things you can do with it. It goes on and on and on”.

5. Fashion & Code

“I live in New York and I work at the intersection of fashion and technology. In order to dream big in the field of future fashion, it is essential to know a little bit about code. In the future, clothing will be fully responsive to our bodies. The building blocks of all of these innovations are having an understanding of code. I truly believe that if you get involved with code now you will be able to help build the future of the fashion industry.”

6. Music & Code

“If you want to make beats, I would start off putting loops together. It is sort of like you are building something in legos. You are putting together a whole bunch of things to build one song. I am wondergirl and my music is made with code.”

If your child is convinced and gets inspired to learn to code, explore our online coding classes for kids ages 8-18.

The post 6 Videos That Inspire Your Child To Learn Coding appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.