#hourofcode 2015

This year we decided to participate in the #hourofcode as an entire high school. We met as a whole school in the auditorium. As students entered, the robotics class did a demo to show some of the things they have been working on.

The event was kicked off by Dani McAvoy, who works for Code.org. She spoke to students about breaking the stereotype as well as her passion for coding and how it can help change the world.

"My problem solving did more than solve word problems on paper, it designed Apps, Games, and programmed Robots which helped people and changed the world around me."

Students then went to advisor groups and tried some of the sample programs. They could choose from this list of options.

Some of the favorites:

• Star Wars: Build a Galaxy with a game
• Design your own Zac Posen Dress
• The App Lab - build your own game to share

If students designed a game, they could submit it to a form. Those games are available here. Unfortunately, we didn't allow enough time for completion. I hope students will work on them later. 

We also introduced "Game Amnesty" week. Students can play games from the list of submitted projects. Here are the guidelines:

From December 8 - 12 we will have “Game Amnesty” week.

• Students must be in a study hall
• Students should have completed their work for classes before playing.
• Students may play the games from the “Hour of Code” list only
• Students need to let their study hall teacher or the adult in charge (think library) know they will be participating
• Consequences for not following the guidelines will result in loss of computer use for the study hall period and signing the book in the computer lab

We asked for feedback, including whether we should offer Computer Science as a class. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive to offer a course. Other feedback:

• I thought they were fun! You had to problem solve and really think.
• It was creative
• I liked having to create your own adventures.
• I like how there were different options to pick from.
• From a teacher: It was amazing how engaged students were

I would definitely do a few things differently next year. I think the kick off needs to be separate from the actual time to code. I could have done a better job of building buzz and promoting Game Amnesty week. It's always a balance of how much information to give out ahead of time and how much to keep a surprise.

Hour of Code

Resources for Yarmouth HS #HourofCode

Facilitator Information

All students in the high school participated in the Hour of Code activities during math class for 2 days. Each student was asked to choose the level (novice, apprentice, ninja) he/she felt most comfortable with. The students then went to the classroom of the level they selected. Each room had a facilitator (a teacher, student, or community member volunteer) to answer questions. Students could choose which tutorials or activities to do. All activities were self directed.

Feedback:

What did you like about the activities?

• That we got to choose what we used and what we could do with it
• That you had a lot of independence as you progressed through the levels
• I liked the videos of the different people talking about the importance of coding. 
• The activities were simple games that were easy to understand and even fun!
• I like the fact that Code Academy allows the user to learn from many different languages that all effect student in everyday life
• I really liked how it didn't feel like you were learning or working on the games, it felt like you were actually playing a game. 
• You feel accomplished when you finish a level
• I liked that they were a challenge and and involved math, but were also fun to play.
• In Blockly, I loved how they made it fun, but still had to do with coding, especially since this was my very first time ever doing it, they made it not boring, very interesting!

My Observations

• Students were very engaged with the activities. They really looked like they were having fun.
• I enjoyed watching the collaboration happening in some classrooms.
• I was interested that some students wanted to be "taught" by an instructor.
• The student facilitators were well prepared.
• Our community visitors added a nice element. Students who are interested in computer programming as a career were able to speak with them directly. They made terrific coaches! 
• At first we had more novices, by the afternoon, many students felt that they could be at the apprentice level.