Coding Without Computers
Have you tried coding without computers in your classroom? You can do hands on STEM activities that teach kids coding without computers. Kids can still practice and learn sequential thinking and problem solving skills of coding but offline, with hands-on materials.
Hands on Coding
Coding without computers can still teach basic coding skills through hands on experiences. For example, kids can apply the concept that a code is a set of instructions to complete an activity such as write a code to help the leprechaun collect the shamrocks. Using simple commands such as up, down, left, and right kids are encouraged to think critically and be creative while writing a code without a computer.
Coding Offline Fosters Creative Thinking Skills
Coding without computers can be a fun interactive experience. Kids will be exposed to concepts such as creating a code, or writing an algorithm, but given hands on opportunities to apply these strategies. In my March Coding Activities kids are challenged to create a sequence, or algorithm, to code a leprechaun jig. This activity allows kids to think creatively, sequentially, and have a fun tactile and kinesthetic experience while making a code without using a computer.
Offline, Hands-on
Giving students hands on activities that practice the basic fundamentals of coding make it accessible to children of all ages. For this March Coding Activity I printed the command cards (up, down, left, right) on colorful paper. Kids are asked to move the leprechaun through the board to his gold while avoiding obstacles. They will think critically, and develop their sequential thinking skills as they code the commands.
Why Try Coding Without a Computer?
- Without a computer, just giving students a coding challenge with a few simple rules to follow provides opportunities to think like a programmer.
- Offline coding allows even young students to access the opportunity to code.
- Unplugged coding provides kids with hands-on, tactile, and kinesthetic learning opportunities that still teach computational thinking.
Here is a list of materials I’ve used to do this in my classroom:
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