Surya-Vignesh-GIIS
Written by Surya Vignesh, E-Learning Coordinator and Head of Innovation at Global Indian International School,AUH.
If you think about it, almost everything our generation does on a daily basis relies on computer code in some way or the other. From making phone calls, playing games, watching television, posting photos for our friends to see, watching recipe videos, attending a virtual workout class or a workshop, the list is endless, and growing! Raising a generation of children who can code can have massive benefits for our future economy. Children are anyway playing video games, using social networks, and texting their friends on a daily basis – understanding how these devices, apps, and services work is not only important to their education, but it’s something that children are genuinely interested in. They need to be provided with the right opportunities to be able to pursue this.
Teaching coding puts children in control of the computer and lets them turn the amazing and creative ideas that they always brimming with into reality. All while also mastering crucial concepts such as logic and consequences. Moreover, skills that are learnt during programming workshops and coding sessions are utilized across other subjects, and likewise, the reverse is also true. Mathematics, for example, is critical to programming, and artistic and design skills play a massive part too! Additionally, teamwork and social skills can be developed through coding – as educators, we have seen pupils who wouldn’t typically get along, bond over their love of video games and create some really interesting and creative work.
Coding can be learning that can help transform the younger generation into leaders of distinction who are committed to the spirit of excellence. This can only happen through quality education imparted by globally experienced and caring teachers committed to nurturing potential virtues and values, while also focusing on communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and citizenship. Students of the Global Indian International School are actively involved in coding programs from grade 1 to 10 as part of their MASTER (Math Art Science Technology Engineering Research) lessons wherein grades 1 & 2 students start with simple block coding using Scratch and grades 6 and above use Python coding. Coding helps students in developing all 3C’s skills of the 21st Century -Creativity. Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Problem Solving. Learning to code at an impressionable age can help cultivate a variety of mind skills.
Creative Thinking
Creativity is characterized by the ability to perceive the world in new, different ways, the urge of turning imaginative ideas into reality, and the curiosity to find the hidden connections between unrelated phenomena to generate solutions. Every young mind has an untapped creative potential that can be developed with regular practice, under the right guidance and with the provision of optimal resources. Getting children to think differently isn’t much of a task, but when you place some rules and restrictions around the process as coding does, is when some of the best innovation happens. This encourages kids to learn to innovate inside the box, much like life would require them to do as they grow up. Coding puts them in a bizarre situation with rules and they are keen to see what their mind produces. The right questions and activities can get bright young brains going, helping the students embrace their creativity. Coding helps build an environment where their imaginations are nurtured and failure is encouraged, not feared.
Executing the Future
Engaging in exploration and learning without regressive restrictions through coding not only provides a platform for both students and educators to have an interactive and constructive discussion with each other but also encourages the community to explore effective and curative flexible learning experiences. These activities encourage progressive mental growth and are missioned at raising the aspirations of the students in pursuing a career in STEM through their exposure to real-world applications. Educators and academic institutions need to step up and play a major role in developing young innovators and creators who work towards caring and creating for this planet. GIIS strongly believes in training its students for the future rather than the present. As technology becomes increasingly essential in today’s world, it is critical to learn how to use technology, and vital to understand how to create it. Technology is the future and its already here – today’s kids are tomorrow’s technologists, it’s imperative to teach them right, and early.
Competency Analysis
Competitions play an instrumental role in motivating students to improve their performance and excel at what they’ve set their minds to. Coding competitions offer a lot more reward than just the winning prize, the joy of having created something that works and can be applied in the real world is absolutely priceless for a child. Competitions present golden opportunities for participants to gain substantial experience, showcase their skills, analyze and evaluate various outcomes and unlock higher personal aptitude. Coding challenges, held ever so often, seriously encourage students to adopt innovative techniques and develop their ideas and skills into applicable solutions. Educators now are investing considerable time in framing competitions factoring in the different aspects of 21st-century skills that can enable and empower students to think creatively and develop the solutions independently.
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