The Hour of Code Basic & The Hour of Code Intermediate Workshops
Description
- Subject Area: Coding/Technology
- Type: Workshop
- Length: 3 hours for both workshops
- Organisers: Brisbane City Council Libraries
- Level: PD offered to all BCC library staff
- Presenters: Jane Frank & Martha Dillon
- Format: self-paced workshop using the Hour of Code programs on tablets
- Date: 21/11/2018 & 28/11/2018
The Hour of Code Basic workshop looked at the basic concepts of coding such as block sequencing and loops. This workshop used the Hour of Code Minecraft on Code.org, and was self-paced working through the levels on the program.
The intermediate session looked at more complicated coding and used JavaScript to build a simple app working through the steps on a program.
I decided I wanted to undertake both Hour of Code workshops because I didn’t have much coding experience and our branch was offering the Hour of Code programs in the school holidays and I was going to have to facilitate them.
I certainly enjoyed the basic workshop over the intermediate because I got to a point of being stuck and very confused within the intermediate session. The basic one worked through the different levels from easy to hard, which was a good way to build up the confidence. In the intermediate session, I felt more thrown into the deep end with the program being used.
Since I did struggle with the app building in the intermediate session I was concerned about having to run a session within the library, but I have learnt that teens seem to have a knack of figuring out technology for themselves.
Coding and robotic programs are being offered more within the service, so these types of workshops are important as a staff member to gain the skills and knowledge in the area confident enough to facilitate the sessions.
