Hey there! This December, something super exciting is happening, and you can be a part of it! We are inviting 10 million students from all over the United States to join in an Hour of Code. It’s a fun and easy way to learn about computer science, and you don’t need any previous experience to join in. The activities are designed to guide you step by step, so you can learn at your own pace.
Did you know that there are more computer jobs available than there are people to fill them? In fact, the number of computing jobs is growing three times faster than the number of computer science graduates. By 2020, there could be over a million computing jobs waiting for someone like you! These are great jobs, and learning computer science can help you get one.
There will be more than a dozen different one-hour tutorials you can choose from. Each one introduces computer science in a unique way. For example, one tutorial might teach you how to create an interactive card using Scratch, a fun programming tool. Another might use Minecraft, a game you might already know and love, to teach you the basics of programming. Our own tutorial will have cool puzzles that teach you computer science principles while having fun.
You can do the Hour of Code on many devices like tablets, PCs, Macs, and even smartphones. There are also unplugged tutorials that don’t need a computer at all, so you can do them anywhere, even outside!
The Hour of Code can be done anytime between December 9th and December 15th, which is Computer Science Education Week. Our goal is to have at least 10 million students participate during this week.
First, decide where you will do your Hour of Code. You could use a computer lab with internet-connected PCs or Macs. If you’re in a classroom, you can use tablets or smartphones with internet access. You can also share a computer with a friend or work in small groups, which is a great way to learn together. The unplugged activities can be done anywhere and are especially fun in groups.
A week before the Hour of Code, you can visit our website to see all the tutorials available. If you’re unsure which one to pick, we’ll suggest one for you. It’s a good idea to try the tutorial yourself first so you can help answer any questions your friends might have.
When it’s time for your Hour of Code, visit our website and start the tutorial you chose. If you’re doing an unplugged activity, get the materials ready and explain the rules to your group. The tutorials are designed to be fun, so you’ll have a great time. If you finish early, you can try another tutorial or help a friend.
And that’s it! Offering the Hour of Code is simple and doesn’t need much preparation. In just one hour, you’ll get a cool introduction to computer science and see that it’s not as scary as it might seem. Visit csedweek.org to register now and be part of something amazing!
Use Scratch to design and program an interactive card. Think about a theme or message you want to convey, and use the tools in Scratch to bring your idea to life. Experiment with different sprites, backgrounds, and sounds to make your card unique. Share your creation with your classmates and explain the coding concepts you used.
Participate in a Minecraft-themed coding challenge. Use block-based coding to solve puzzles and complete tasks within the Minecraft world. Work in pairs to brainstorm solutions and discuss the programming principles you are applying. Reflect on how coding can enhance your gaming experience.
Gather in small groups and try an unplugged coding activity. Use simple materials like paper, markers, and string to simulate coding concepts such as algorithms and loops. Each group can present their activity to the class, explaining how it relates to computer science.
Visit the Hour of Code website and explore various tutorials. Choose one that interests you and complete it. Afterward, write a short reflection on what you learned and how it changed your perception of computer science. Share your thoughts with the class.
Form a group and work on a collaborative coding project. Choose a simple goal, such as creating a basic game or animation, and assign roles to each group member. Use your combined skills to complete the project, and present it to the class. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
[Music] This December, we are recruiting 10 million students from across the United States to participate in an Hour of Code, and we need your help to make it happen. The Hour of Code is an hour-long introduction to computer science for all students; no previous experience is required, and the activities are designed to be self-guided, empowering students to learn at their own pace.
This matters because the number of computing jobs in this country is rising three times faster than the number of computer science graduates. At this rate, by 2020, there will be more than one million computing jobs unfilled, and these are good jobs.
We expect to have more than a dozen different one-hour tutorials to choose from, each introducing computer science in its own way for all students from K-12. For example, we are expecting one tutorial to teach how to create an interactive card using the programming environment Scratch. Another will teach the basics of programming using Minecraft, a popular game. Our own tutorial will introduce some computer science principles through a series of puzzles that are fun to solve.
You can offer the Hour of Code on a range of devices, including tablets, PCs, Macs, and smartphones. There will even be unplugged tutorials that can be completed without any computers at all.
Now, let’s talk about how to run the Hour of Code itself. You can do the Hour of Code anytime between December 9th and December 15th; that’s Computer Science Education Week. Our goal is to have at least 10 million students do an Hour of Code sometime during that week.
The first thing you’ll need to figure out is where you will do your Hour of Code. One option is to use a computer lab with internet-connected PCs or Macs. Another option is to do the Hour of Code in your classroom using tablets or smartphones, as long as they can access the internet. Students can also take turns doing the Hour of Code in your classroom using a shared internet-connected computer. In fact, we encourage students to do the Hour of Code together in pairs or small groups; research shows that students retain more when they program together. The unplugged options can be done anywhere, even outdoors. These activities are especially fun for groups and illustrate the point that computational thinking does not require a computer.
Next, you’ll need to select which tutorial to use. The week before the Hour of Code, you will be able to visit our website to preview the available tutorials. If you’re not sure which tutorial to pick, we’ll recommend one for you. We encourage you to try the selected tutorial yourself before your class does it so you can answer any questions that might come up.
Finally, it will be time for your students to do the Hour of Code themselves. Have them visit our website and choose the tutorial that you selected. If you’re doing an unplugged tutorial, pass out the materials and explain the rules. Your students will enjoy doing the Hour of Code; the tutorials are designed to be fun. Students who finish early can try a different, perhaps more advanced tutorial, or help other students.
And that’s it! As you’ve seen, offering the Hour of Code to your students is easy. It requires minimal prior preparation and no prior experience. In just one hour, you’ll have given your students an engaging and meaningful exposure to the world of computer science and helped demystify what can be an intimidating subject for some. Go to csedweek.org to register now and help us make history. [Music]
Code – A set of instructions written in a language that a computer can understand. – Example sentence: “We wrote a code to make the robot move forward and backward.”
Computer – An electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. – Example sentence: “I use my computer to play games and do my homework.”
Programming – The process of creating a set of instructions for a computer to follow. – Example sentence: “In programming class, we learned how to make a simple game.”
Tutorial – A lesson that teaches you how to do something step-by-step. – Example sentence: “I watched a tutorial to learn how to create animations on my computer.”
Learn – To gain knowledge or skills by studying or practicing. – Example sentence: “I want to learn how to build my own website.”
Science – The study of the natural world through observation and experiments. – Example sentence: “Computer science helps us understand how computers work and how to create new technology.”
Devices – Electronic tools or machines that have a specific function. – Example sentence: “Tablets and smartphones are popular devices for playing games and browsing the internet.”
Activities – Tasks or actions that are done for a specific purpose. – Example sentence: “We did fun coding activities in class to learn how to program.”
Hour – A unit of time equal to 60 minutes. – Example sentence: “We spent an hour learning how to code a new game.”
Scratch – A visual programming language that makes it easy to create interactive stories, games, and animations. – Example sentence: “Using Scratch, I made a game where a cat chases a mouse.”
