COMPUTATIONAL THINKING AND CODING

COMPUTATIONAL THINKING AND CODING

What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and  pedagogy?

I have learnt it is a necessary  skill for the younger student to learn in preparation for future employment.  It helps students  to think and talk about problems and make predictions. Coding is a new language in the digital age. It helps with communication and creativity.  The key competencies highlighted in  Computational Thinking and Coding  include  Using language symbols and text, Relating to others and Participating and Contributing. Coding is essential and a needed tool for future -focused literacy.

Manaiakalani kaupapa and  pedagogy have taught me today that Coding  is Computer programming. It gives  the computer step by step instructions as to  what to do.When  a child is able to understand coding, then he/she is able to  construct, hypothesise, explore, experiment, evaluate, and draw conclusions. With Scratch, one can program ones own interactive stories, games, and animations.Scratch has the real  features of  programming languages, like loops (repeat blocks) and conditionals (if-then blocks).

What did I learn that can be used with my learners?

I learnt to use  Scratch which  enable students to integrate creativity in story telling, games and animation. Scratch allows students gain 21st  century skills.

What did I learn to improve my and a needed confidence, capability  or workflow in my personal life?

I have learnt that  coding is not hard  and impossible to learn . Time, patience and persistence are needed to excel in Coding. Learning Scratch makes Computational thinking and Coding seem like a game and fun.

I have gained valuable insights from the Manaiakalani kaupapa and  pedagogical experts 

(thank you Vicky!) to make my classroom more interactive and creative which in turn will make me very happy within myself.