3 Ways Students Can Start Learning Coding Concepts

If you’re tasked with introducing your students to coding concepts for the first time, it can be an intimidating effort, and you may not know where to start. Fear not; you don’t have to jump right into the deep end of coding languages like Python or Javascript, thanks to many introductory tools available online! Below, you’ll find three ways to introduce computer science fundamentals to your students, with resources and links to get you started.

1. Coding Terminology

Before your students get hands-on experience with coding, they’ll need to learn lots of new definitions that are common across various coding languages. Terms like debug, conditional statements, and loops are words they’ll likely have no familiarity with, so it’s time to introduce some new vocabulary! We’ve compiled Thunkable’s Official Coding Glossary, which includes common computer science terms and definitions found in both programming languages and visual development platforms. We recommend popping these terms into flashcards for on-the-go learning (try remixing this handy app)!

2. Visual Development Platforms

Now that your students are equipped with knowledge of fundamental coding terms, it’s time to apply this knowledge with a hands-on approach! Visual development platforms like Scratch use block-based programming that convert text-based code into visual blocks to simplify the development process. Students can rapidly create simple games to develop an understanding of how different blocks function when combined.

If your students are seeking more customization, Thunkable is the perfect drag and drop app builder to introduce intermediate concepts like APIs and data sources. Like Scratch, Thunkable’s visual development platform uses blocks to program any app that your students can think of!

A visual programming language is key to teaching beginners computer science as they can get first-hand experience fast, with a rewarding final outcome to share with friends and family. As additional motivation, hand out an official Thunkable Certificate of Completion once students complete their apps!

3. Unleash Creativity: Building Solutions for Real-World Problems

The most rewarding part of learning app development is creating applications that address real problems your students have identified. Encouraging students to not only think critically about solutions but leveraging technology to build them helps reinforce a problem-solving mindset. Education programs around the world, like Mumbai-based MindChamp, promote STEM through coding courses where students build and publish their creations with Thunkable. Notably, one student even won an award for their recycling app!

By equipping students with a programming skillset from an early age, they have the tools they need to feel empowered to solve problems in their communities and innovate in the ever-evolving digital age. 

What’s Next?

If you’re looking for recommendations on how to incorporate computer science into your curriculum in the upcoming school year, check out our Ultimate Guide to Education with No Code! This comprehensive resource guides you through introducing no code tooling to your students, the benefits of a no code curriculum, and highlights successes of real educators teaching with Thunkable. Happy reading!

Need more help bringing Thunkable to your computer science classroom? Don't hesitate to reach out!