Watertown Public Schools
Watertown students learn how to program computers during the Hour of Code.
Students of all ages tried their hands at computer programing when the Watertown Public Schools participated in the Hour of Code.
The world-wide event attracted millions of people to spend an hour learning about computer coding. In Watertown, students in elementary, middle and high school participated in the Hour of Code.
The skill is one that could be very important in the future of these students, said Education Technology and Library Coordinator Toni Carlson.
“There is going to be a huge need for computer programing,” Carlson said. “If they are not getting it in high school, then they don’t know what it is and they don’t go into it.”
Watertown Public Schools
Through online tutorials, Watertown students got a taste of computer coding.
Almost all students in middle and high school participated, Carlson said, and at least half of elementary school students coded, too. Many coded in their library and technology classes, others in math classes and, in a few cases, in physical education classes.
“At Hosmer School three teachers went and got trained in coding so they could participate. One was the gym teacher,” Carlson said. “She’s having them do algorithms through physical activity.”
While high schoolers get intro into how to do things like draw using computer code through the Khan Academy’s tutorial (click here to see it) that would be too complex for elementary school students. They have the option of using drag and drop items, with the help of Anna and Elsa from “Frozen,” to create a snowflake. See the tutorial here.