“So I can make it go it wherever I want?”
The 8-year-old girl stared at the flying pink hippo on the computer screen in front of her. As I watched (and gave her a few pointers) she typed in a set of numbers and clicked the green ‘Go’ flag to start her program. The pink hippo obediently fluttered over to the point on the screen that the girl had chosen. I saw her break into a big smile as she understood the possibilities. Half an hour later she had the hippo also changing colour, spinning around and making noises that she had recorded herself on the computer microphone.
Although she saw it as just playing around with a game, she was also learning key programming concepts such as modifying variables, entering coordinates, and using if-then statements.
Benefits to Code Club
Such scenes are common at the library’s regular Code Club sessions. Usually, we will see a range of skill levels. The younger kids may be just learning how to make a character move across the screen. Meanwhile the older ones are designing complex games and asking questions about how to debug their code. The Scratch programming language supports all these levels, so it’s easy for kids to build their knowledge over time.
There are many benefits to Code Club. We live in a digital world, where more and more jobs require at least basic knowledge of coding. Understanding computer systems also helps us in our daily lives. This understanding is known as digital literacy, and it is a government priority to ensure that all Australians can participate fully in society.
Other benefits include problem solving, maths, creativity, and logical thinking. Being able to step through a piece of code, looking at different branches of cause and effect, is an extremely valuable skill in many walks of life.
Come along to Code Club!
Aside from all those benefits, though—Code Club is so much fun! There is a special magic in seeing your creation come to life and follow the rules you have laid out for it. Most children intuitively know how to draw a picture or sing a song. But they may never have thought of video games as being something they could create for themselves. Coding opens up a whole new world of creativity.
Yarra Plenty Regional Library has a range of Code Clubs on offer across our nine branches.
Most recently, we have restarted our clubs at Thomastown and Lalor Libraries after their recent refurbishments. Thomastown and Lalor Code Clubs will run on alternating Saturday afternoons, so you can code every weekend if you want!
Lalor: Saturday, 3.00pm–4.00pm, fortnightly
Thomastown: Saturday, 2.00pm–3.00pm
Want to learn more? Discover these great titles from our collection below:
Ready, Set, Code! Coding Activities for Kids
"Introduces children to coding with illustrated step-by-step instructions for hands-on projects. Are you ready to learn about real technology and make it yourself? Ready, Set, Code! explains how cutting-edge digital technology works and its surprising uses now and in the future. Filled with interesting examples, each chapter explores a different topic, such as artificial intelligence, sensors and data, and applies it with a fun, hands-on coding project. You will learn how to create your own chatbot, translate messages into different languages, construct a burglar alarm, make digital art and music, and launch a citizen science project. Plus, you'll learn how to protect yourself online and much more."-- CSIRO Publishing Website.
Coding Games in Scratch
Coding Games in Scratch is a guide for children ages 9-12 who want to learn more about computer programming using scratch. It can also be used by parents who want to help their children learn to code. Follow the simple steps to become an expert coder, using the programming language Scratch 3.0.
![Scratch Programming Playground [electronic resource] : Learn to Program by Making Cool Games](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781593277963/lc.gif&client=yarraplentyrl&upc=&oclc=)
Scratch Programming Playground [electronic resource] : Learn to Program by Making Cool Games
Scratch, the colorful drag-and-drop programming language, is used by millions of first-time learners, and in Scratch Programming Playground, you'll learn to program by making cool games. Get ready to destroy asteroids, shoot hoops, and slice and dice fruit! Each game includes easy-to-follow instructions, review questions, and creative coding challenges to make the game your own. Want to add more levels or a cheat code? No problem, just write some code. You'll learn to make games like: –Maze Runner: escape the maze! –Snaaaaaake: gobble apples and avoid your own tail –Asteroid Breaker: smash space rocks –Fruit Slicer: a Fruit Ninja clone –Brick Breaker: a remake of Breakout, the brick-breaking classic –Platformer: a game inspired by Super Mario Bros. Learning how to program shouldn't be dry and dreary. With Scratch Programming Playground, you'll make a game of it! Uses Scratch 2.
Online Resources for Kids:
Scratch
Engaging coding program for 8 to 16-year-olds.
Tynker
Self-paced online courses for kids to learn coding at home.
Tumblebooks
Adds animation, sound, music and narration to picture books.
LOTE Online for Kids
Learn a language and connect with books through thousands of audio-picture books in 50+ languages, together with English translations.
Busy Things
Online learning resource for 3 to 6-year-olds.