Unit 4 - Written Assignment

Advocating Coding
Written Assignment Unit 4
University of the People
EDUC 5282
Dr. Lateria Joiner

Introduction
Will teaching Computer Science impact students positively? There are many votes for and against
the same. However, the vote for yes is stronger as of now. Computer Science impacts the
student’s growth and academic achievement positively. It certainly to the skills needed by the
rapidly expanding markets in the 21st century and their demands centered around education
technology (Gokce, Yenmez, & Ozpinar, 2017). One would need to convince the school teachers
and administrators and hence need for a letter of advocacy towards beginning coding classes in
the schools.
A Letter to School Heads
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM education) is now an integral part of
teaching in most schools and computer science cuts across all of them. Post pandemic especially,
technology is with us and there is no sign of slowing it down as yet. Hence, we need to take it
seriously to bring it in some aspect as a part of school education.
What is coding? Coding is the language that creates instructions for computers, popularly called
programming language (Weinstein, 2021). Computer code language is used to program the
websites and apps that we interact with every day. This is the language of the young world today
and as teachers, we should be mindful of the same. Also, coding is in almost every aspect of
modern life. Every application on a phone and other digital systems like smart TVs and
calculators use it as well (Meyster, n.d.). Coding professionals are highly sought after in the
industry and there is a need for such personnel to run the programs effectively. Therefore, the
need to teach coding in schools as it impacts the choice of career powerfully.
President Obama in the document (President Obama asks all students to learn computer science)
also acknowledges the importance of coding as a way of imparting powerful skills in the
learners to prepare them for the future (What’s wrong with this picture? 2015). Globalization
has made the world smaller but the need for relevant skills is much more. Skills such as critical
thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, information literacy and technology are much
more in demand than before (Mubarak 2014). Also, the ability to communicate effectively, work
as a team member, ability to prepare and face changes and challenges and to solve problems
would have the higher premium than ever (nodding, 2007).
Parents, teachers and administrators please be sensitized to the need to knowing coding and
programming for they are used almost in every industry. The best paying jobs in the world are
IT related and the wealthiest human beings on the planet world in IT relate industries such as
Apple or Google (Mallios & Vassilakopoulos, 2015). Coding also builds creativity in the
children and hence is good for all learning styles. We believe that introducing coding in class
would increase on student engagement and interest. It will intrigue learners while doing
activities such as creating gaming programs. Learners will create and that is the cornerstone of
STEM education.
Conclusion
Coding ignites both cognitive and creativity skills engaging students in higher order thinking
(Gokce, Yenmez, & Ozpinar, 2017). Further, computational and algorithmic thinking are
fundamental skills for STEM related courses (Mallios, & Vassilakopoulos, 2015). Hence, I
hope that my letter is impactful enough for the school administrators to take teaching of
coding seriously for the kids.

References
Gokce, S., Yenmez, A. A., & Ozpinar, I. (2017). An Analysis of Mathematics Education
Students’ Skills in the Process of Programming and Their Practices of Integrating It into
Their Teaching. International Education Studies, 10(8), 60.
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1150292.pdf
Mallios, N., & Vassilakopoulos, M. G. (2015). Evaluating Students’ Programming Skill
Behaviour and Personalizing Their Computer Learning Environment Using‘ The Hour of
Code’ Paradigm. International Association for Development of the Information Society.
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED562457.pdf
Meyster, A. (n.d.). What is Coding used for? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=paKGQl0Hun0&t=17s
Mubarak. M. K. A. (2014, Feb 24). Education System Needs to Adapt to a Fast-Changing
World. The National. Retrieved 2019, June 7 from www.thenational.ae/education-
system-needs-to-adapt-to-a-fast-changing-world-1.473481
Noddings, N. (2007). Curriculum for the 21st Century. Educational Studies in Japan:
International Yearbook No.2, pp.75-81. Retrieved from
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ842882.pdf
Weinsten, J. (2021, January 24). What Is Coding? Coding Definition and Uses. Retrieved from
https://careerkarma.com/blog/what-is-coding-used-for/
What’s wrong with this picture? (2015). https://code.org/promote

Unit 4 - Written Assignment

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit 4 - Written Assignment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Advocating Coding

Written Assignment Unit 4

University of the People

Dr. Lateria Joiner

A Letter to School Heads

seriously to bring it in some aspect as a part of school education.

need to teach coding in schools as it impacts the choice of career powerfully.

would have the higher premium than ever (nodding, 2007).

coding seriously for the kids.

Their Teaching. International Education Studies, 10(8), 60.

Mallios, N., & Vassilakopoulos, M. G. (2015). Evaluating Students’ Programming Skill

Code’ Paradigm. International Association for Development of the Information Society.

Meyster, A. (n.d.). What is Coding used for? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Mubarak. M. K. A. (2014, Feb 24). Education System Needs to Adapt to a Fast-Changing

World. The National. Retrieved 2019, June 7 from www.thenational.ae/education-

International Yearbook No.2, pp.75-81. Retrieved from

What’s wrong with this picture? (2015). https://code.org/promote

You might also like