There are ongoing debates about the value of teaching coding in schools.
The argument that only a small proportion of students will become coders is countered by the argument that such skills are in increasing demand and scarce supply.
Why should Coding be taught in schools
Developing coding skills can help improve critical thinking techniques that can be applied to all areas of life.
Students have little opportunity in the rest of the curriculum to be forced into thinking logically in de-personalised situations: In breaking complex problems into smaller, solvable chunks and in solving these chunks in a logical way.
The ability to do this can help students to follow this process in dealing with other situations in life; how to make a coherent argument in a History essay, how to investigate the truth of something that they hear online or watch on a screen.
How to manage their own budgets and make sensible decisions about what to do in their next step in their futures. All of these can be helped by being able to think logically and break big issues into smaller ones.
Teaching Python forces students into developing these patterns of thought in a way that can be fun and have its own successes, some students will get the ‘bug’ for coding and take this further but ALL pupils can benefit from the experience of being logical in the way that they think.
Transitioning from block-code to text-based coding
Python in Pieces, from 2Simple, helps students to make the transition from block-based coding that is commonly used at primary school for teaching coding concepts and structures, to text-based coding that is required at Secondary school level and beyond.
2Simple’s award-winning platform translates both from block to Python and Python to block, providing reassurance and familiarity as students explore Python and build their skills.
With the ability to include backgrounds and objects, Python in Pieces allows students to create and code visually rich environments, which they can apply to the creation of their own programmes and games. This functionality ensures the experience of learning Python is fun and creative.
“I really love this software, the innovative concept of having the blocks on one side of the window and the related Python code on the other is a fab idea, both in view at the same time, really allows students (and teachers who are new to Python) to see how the blocks relate to the code and work on which ever one they are more comfortable with. I haven’t found this way of working in any other software. The creative coding challenges really bring coding to life!”
Kay Sawbridge, Faculty Leader Computing and IT
Caroline Chisholm School
Teacher and student support in class and at home
Complete with activities and resources, Python in Pieces allows students to learn the coding language of Python whilst enabling both specialist and non-specialist teachers to teach the computing curriculum with confidence.
Python in pieces has several distinctive features and benefits that enhance the teaching of coding while preparing students for the digital world:
• Step-by-step lessons, structured in three progressive levels. Each level has several stages supported by over 170 explanatory videos and hints for additional help.
• Debugging tools so students can add break points and control the speed at which their code executes enabling students to debug their own code.
• Developed to allow the translation of block code to Python, in both directions. Allowing students to see the relationship between the coding languages and enhance their understanding.
• Create and code visually rich environments using background and objects.
• Teachers can set tasks for completion in class or at home. This feature also enables teachers to clearly see the progression of their students; with the ability to review both individual and whole class performance.
• Students are also able to monitor their own progress and self-assess, enabling them to clearly see next steps in order to move on to the next objective.
• Teacher solution guides are included to support both the specialist and non-specialist alike.
For more information and to start your free trial go to 2simple.com/pythoninpieces.
