Put your "Coat" on: Wearing your "Coding Coat"
Updated: May 9, 2022
Seriously, when I first started talking about coding I marketed it by standing in the hallways inviting everyone into the library with a cherry, "Come Get Your Code On" and a math teacher walked by and said, "Why are you telling everyone to put their coats on"?
That's how coding was received a few years ago. Now it's all the rage and that's a great thing.
I've experimented with a few different activities, events and collaborations. A great place to start is with The Hour of Code. I began by literally experimenting with the site. They always have great projects that can be completed with little or no experience and at no cost.
Their site is easy to navigate and can be filtered by grade level, equipment type, internet accessibility and curriculum area. Just think about using the bitcoin application in Economics or Map Your Community in World Language. The possibilities are endless.
I've found that the greatest success comes from collaborating with a teacher to make the activity a success. One year we celebrated Grace Hopper's birthday with a cake, party and The Hour of Code!
One project we received ALA and local grants to transform the middle and high school libraries and local public library into remote campuses of the famed Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, with around 100 students learning how to code with Kano wands and the Kano app.
So, what are my thoughts on coding and how it could interface with the library? I'm all in. It may take collaboration but really, any excuse for a party. Even the one-off activities and events we've held support:
Coding Builds 21st Century Skills:
Creativity
Confidence
Communication
Critical Thinking
Problem-Solving