Algorithms, blockly, python, JavaScript, Ruby, C+ and Perl sound like another language right? Well, that’s because it is! But what has this got to do with your classroom? And how can unplugged coding help you?
When I first started my STEM classroom I didn’t understand the role that coding plays in our everyday lives. More so, in our students lives and their future. Anything that is automated has some form of coding involved to make it operate the way it is meant to.
Do you have a robot in your house?
I always ask students this question. Unless they have a toy one, most of the students do not put their hands up. But the truth is, we all have robots in our houses. Washing machines, dishwashers, remote controls are all form of robots, something that make our jobs around the house easier. Most of these ‘robots’ require some form of coding to operate correctly.
But how do you teach coding if you don’t have access to a lot of technology? I don’t always have access to laptops, iPads, desktop computers or robots, so I had to introduce my students to coding in a different way.
Using unplugged coding!
Unplugged coding allows the students to physically build algorithms with their hands and understand how algorithms work before adding in the tech component. Computers sometimes add an extra level of difficulty with younger students who struggle to log on or navigate to the chosen program. Coding in an unplugged way is like learning about the ingredients before you start to bake.
Unplugged coding can help students to understand how to build an algorithm and how the computer reads and follows directions using unplugged coding. The computer does not have a mind of its own. It could not go left if you’ve asked it to go straight. This way, coding allows students to break this down into a basic level that introduces coding and how it all works before they progress into coding languages such as blockly, in Scratch, or more advanced languages like Python and Java Script.
How I use unplugged coding activities
Unplugged coding can be used at the same time as regular tech coding activities. This is great if you have limited devices. Sometimes I set up stations of unplugged activities alongside of tech coding activities in my STEM classroom. This allows for ultimate engagement and time to work with a teacher group if you are teaching an explicit coding skill. Having the unplugged activities printed out and ready to go at a few stations also allows you to trouble shoot less tech problems if there are a limited amount of devices being used. I allow students to rotate through and everyone gets a chance of still doing coding and being exposed to different types by having some unplugged activities some plugged in coding.
I use a variety of coding styles from directional algorithm design to binary coding, deciphering secret codes. This keeps students engaged and allows them to realised that the computers can be coded in various ways. I have included a few suggestions of offline coding activities that I use in my STEM classroom.
Unplugged activities for your classroom
Your Homework
If you use or have used unplugged coding in your classroom, please share your tips in the comments.