Love my Vidcode

Computer class can and should be more than just the basics of typing and the understanding of how to use web applications. Computer class should be fun. Why? Because when your students are engaged, they’re learning. And that’s what it’s all about.

We’re going to go over five fun projects to use in your computer class. Not only are these activities engaging, they’re cross-curricular, and meet Common Core, AP, and Computer Science standards. Better yet? They include strategies to build communication and critical thinking skills.

Projects we’ll go over in this article are:

Create a Filter

Make a Meme

Bestie Greeting Card

Code the News

Climate Clock

Let’s get to it!

Create a Filter

Using the basics of JavaScript, your students will create fun, unique filters for videos that reflect their abilities and personalities. They can use the videos provided by Vidcode, or they can use videos of themselves. Sign up to assign Create a Filter to your class, or visit vidcode.com/project/filters.

Reflection Questions

Who is a programmer?

What is a function?

What is an argument?

Standards Addressed

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP7 Look for and make use of structure.

NGSS Practice 5 Using mathematics and computational thinking

CSTA 1B-AP-11 Decompose (break down) problems into smaller, manageable subproblems to facilitate the program development process.

CSTA 1B-AP-15 Test and debug (identify and fix errors) a program or algorithm to ensure it runs as intended.

Make a Meme

Memes have changed the way we communicate - often with a sense of humor. This is a project your students will love! Your students will use JavaScript to embellish a video with graphics and text. Sign up to assign Create a Filter to your class, or visit vidcode.com/project/graphics.

Reflection Questions

What is a project?

What is a method?

Standards Addressed

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP6 Attend to precision.

CSTA 1B-AP-09 Create programs that use variables to store and modify data.

CSTA 1B-AP-11 Decompose (break down) problems into smaller, manageable subproblems to facilitate the program development process.

CSTA 1B-AP-14 Observe intellectual property rights and give appropriate attribution when creating or remixing programs.

CSTA 1B-AP-15 Test and debug (identify and fix errors) a program or algorithm to ensure it runs as intended.

Bestie Greeting Card

Help your students spread the love by creating a greeting card!

This is a special hour of code project. Using JavaScript, your students will create a greeting card while learning about pixels and placing them on an  x-y grid, using and writing functions, and changing function values to create different effects. Use Bestie Greeting Card with your class.

Reflection Questions

How would you explain creative coding to a friend?

What did you learn during this hour of code?

Standards Addressed

CSTA 1B-AP-09 Create programs that use variables to store and modify data.

CSTA 1B-AP-10 Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals.

CSTA 1B-AP-15 Test and debug (identify and fix errors) a program or algorithm to ensure it runs as intended.

CSTA 1B-IC-21 Use public domain or creative commons media, and refrain from copying or using material created by others without permission.

CSTA 1B-IC-18 Discuss computing technologies that have changed the world, and express how those technologies influence, and are influenced by, cultural practices.

Code the News

In this Hour of Code projects, students follow the provided tutorial that walks them through the basics of JavaScript, functions, and other programming basics.

In this project, we offer extension activities beyond just the hour of code, allowing students to dive deeper into the meanings of conditionals and functions. During the activity, students are encouraged to explain their thinking to their classmates using small-group and whole-group discussion questions. Use Code the News with your class.

Reflection Questions

Does code look like you expected? Is it easier/harder?

What is a function?

What is an argument?

Are you impressed your code is looking more advanced?

Standards Addressed (a handful, because so many are addressed across the curriculum!) Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

Next Generation Science Standards for Engineering Practices

Practice 1 Defining problems

Practice 2 Developing and using models

Practice 3 Planning and carrying out investigations

CSTA

CT.L2-01 - Use the basic steps in algorithmic problem-solving to design solutions (e.g., problem statement and exploration, examination of sample instances, design, implementing a solution, testing, evaluation).

CT.L2-03 - Define an algorithm as a sequence of instructions that can be processed by a computer.

CT.L2-04 - Evaluate ways that different algorithms may be used to solve the same problem.

CT.L2-07 - Represent data in a variety of ways including text, sounds, pictures, and numbers.

Climate Clock

Give your students the chance to use programming to change the world. In this Climate Clock project, students address the climate crisis.

Climate Clocks give a visual representation of just how urgent the climate crisis is. In this project students will create their own climate clocks. Your students will use JavaScript’s Date object to keep track of years, months, days, hours, seconds, and even milliseconds.

Students will also be introduced to modulo, the important math behind keeping the units used in the code straight. Use Climate Clock with your class.

Reflection Questions

What is some other information that you think would be useful in a Climate Clock?

What else do you think is important to keep track of?

How can engaging in work like this make a difference?

Standards Addressed

CSTA 3-5.AP.08 Compare and refine multiple algorithms for the same task and determine which is the most appropriate.

CSTA 6-8.AP.11 Create clearly named variables that store data, and perform operations on their contents.

CSTA 6-8.AP.13 Decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs.

CSTA 6-8.AP.16 Incorporate existing code, media, and libraries into original programs, and give attribution.

Conclusion

When you see your kids playing video games, you might wonder how to channel that energy into creating! With these tutorials, kids can start learning to code through video game creation. One of the most fun ways to learn to code is by making games! If you’re trying to get your child more excited about computer programming, making their own games can be a great entry point, with a lot to learn.

In this article, we’re giving you three free video game tutorials that your child can go through on their own pace. These tutorials are best for ages 8-14. While following along, new coders will learn JavaScript by making fun video games. When they’re done, they can play these games with their friends and compete for the high score! With code, they can learn to make puzzle games, choose your own adventure games, point-and-click mini-games, and anything else they can imagine.

JavaScript is a great language to learn, and can be applied to both website creation and video game design in Unity, a free advanced game engine.

1. Code an Avatar

Before you start making a full game, you’ll want to build an avatar. An avatar is an image that represents you online. In this tutorial, you’ll use JavaScript functions to display graphics, and use arguments to control how they display, while creating an avatar that represents you! This is a great place to start, especially if you don’t have a lot of (or any!) experience coding.

2. Collision Detection

Some things about video games, you might not even think about, like gravity, or running into objects and walls. In this game, you’ll learn about keeping characters on the screen. You’ll use JavaScript concepts like loops, mouse-tracking, and conditional statements. Although the actual project is simple, these concepts are huge for understanding programming and making more advanced games and programs.

3. Physics Simulation

Ready to add controls like running or jumping to your game? This tutorial will introduce you to gravity! You’ll make a game with a jumping character, enemies, and learn about variables in the context of creating a score. This is a more advanced tutorial, but once you’ve completed it you’ll be able to make advanced games with swimming, running, jumping, and other play mechanics.

Ready to learn more?

Hi! My name is Valerie, and I’m a high school student who’s attended (and won) quite a few hackathons. I’m here to give you some tips on how to run your own hackathon! I’ve also included a section on virtual hackathons towards the end of this post, given that they are especially relevant today.

What is a hackathon?

A hackathon is an event where attendees form teams to create coding projects within a given time period (typically 24 hours). Afterwards, teams have the option to submit and pitch their project (via platforms such as Devpost) to a panel of judges for a chance to win a neat prize! Most hackathons have an overall winner and different category winners (e.g. best beginner hack, best web development, best mobile app, etc), so there are lots of opportunities for people to win prizes. 

What gets made at a hackathon?

The sky's the limit. I’ve seen a large variety of projects made at the hackathons that I have been to. Teams can choose to create websites, apps, or games - I have even seen teams bring their own hardware to incorporate virtual reality (VR) into their projects! Typically, the different prize categories help teams decide what types of projects they want to work on. 

Hackathon Essentials

Interested in running a hackathon but don’t know where to start? There are four important categories to focus on: People, Space, Technology, and Activities. 

People

You can’t run a hackathon if you don’t have people at the event! From my experience, it is crucial to have participants, student staff, and judge/speakers at every student hackathon. 

Participants: Anyone who has been to a hackathon will say you don’t need to know how to code to attend a hackathon. This is 100% true! In fact, most hackathons will hold workshops to teach basic coding to beginners (anything from website development to mobile games). These workshops are often taught by student staff members or guest speakers. However, a simple introductory workshop can be taught by platforms such as Vidcode - no coding expert needed!

Student Staff: Recruiting a group of students to be a part of the staff is crucial to running a hackathon. Student Staff members are a helpful way to spread the word about your hackathon to their friends and classmates. In addition, during the hackathon, they are more approachable to students who need help with their projects than adult supervisors. You can probably find students who are willing to participate from coding/computer science clubs at your local high school or college.

Judges/Speakers: Judges and guest speakers are equally important as having participants at your hackathon. Finding these people is all about reaching out and contacting individuals who may be willing to volunteer. Reach out to anyone you may know in the tech industry: teachers, developers, software engineers etc. Most hackathons have sponsors who send representatives to judge and speak at workshops. 

Space

Make sure your venue has a hacking space (school gym/cafeteria) and a hangout/planning space (empty classrooms). Minimize distractions, and make sure attendees have space to spread out and write notes - portable whiteboards are great for this.

Technology

Without technology can there be a hackathon? Make sure to have good Wi-Fi, Audio/Visual Equipment, and some hardware. 

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is crucial! Without a good connection, most participants will not be able to work on their projects. In addition, the last thing the participants want is to lose connection in the middle of their pitch to the judges.

Audio/Visual Equipment: Audio/Visual Equipment is helpful when you are trying to communicate important information to the entire staff and participants. Most hackathons use presentations during their opening and closing ceremonies.

Hardware: Hardware is also important. However, it is not necessary. You do not need to provide a computer for every participant, they will bring their own device. However, larger hackathons provide hardware such as VR equipment and microphones for participants to use in their projects. 

Activities

Hackathons are not just about the competition. There are non-coding activities/competitions and workshops. 

Non-Coding Activities/Competitions: Kids need a brain break! Coding for 24 hours is tough! Set up fun non-coding games and competitions like Capture the Flag, Cup Stacking, Chess, or Jeopardy.  

Workshops: Workshops are as important as the competition itself! Some people attend hackathons just to learn something at the workshops. As I mentioned before, these workshops can be taught by student staff or guest speakers, and they can range from beginner to advanced levels. 

Some Additional Tips

Here are some other tips for hosting your own hackathon:

Outlets! Outlets! Outlets! Make sure you have plenty of outlets for your attendees. All of them will have to charge their devices at some point. 

Make sure you have a detailed schedule planned out. People need to know how much time they have until projects are due. They also want to know when certain activities and workshops will start. 

Get as many sponsors as you can. Most hackathons are free to attend thanks to the sponsors who pay for the meals and snacks at the events. They are also a great way to bring in judges and guest speakers. 

Prizes are the best incentive. Although prizes are not necessary, they are the best incentive for people to participate. 

Virtual Hackathons

Especially with COVID-19, virtual hackathons have become more popular. Virtual hackathons are very similar to regular hackathons. The competitions and workshops are still there, the only difference is that there isn’t a physical venue for the event. In some ways, virtual hackathons may be easier to host. Participants code at home and submit their projects by a certain deadline. There are workshops held via livestream or Zoom, and there are staff members available virtually through platforms like Discord or Slack. In fact, hosting a virtual hackathon makes it easier to reach out to a wider range of people in different regions of the country or world!

Teacher feature time! Melissa-Ann Pero, a superstar English teacher in Pennsylvania, is using coding to teach revision in English class! Mrs. Pero, who helps students who have trouble in other parts of school, uses coding lessons to teach coding and revision at the same time.

She approaches revision practices much like she would coding. Both require repetition: “It’s forced repetition - if it doesn’t work, [students] have to go back and try again. That’s how it works, when they come to me I say we have to go through it together.”

Also like programming, if an English paper doesn’t contain the correct syntax (i.e. complete sentences, paragraphs, etc.), it creates an error. Mrs. Pero draws a comparison between a successful paper and a functioning computer program: “the computer won't check the code logic until the syntax is [correct].” Likewise, multiple revision attempts (“debugging”) might be necessary before a paper can communicate the student’s ideas clearly.

Ever played music with apricots? How about gamed on potatoes? How about used bananas to produce special effects? You and your students can follow this tutorial to code a Vidcode project that does exactly that! We are making video art with code + common breakfast fruits in conjunction with Makey Makey.

Makey Makey is a STEM education kit that lets kids use conductive materials as video controllers. They not only learn to code, but to have fun with hilarious tactile controllers made from everyday items in fantastic DIY invention projects.

Vidcode is a great curriculum set and workstation for kids to learn JavaScript in a way that’s fun, completely interactive, and speaks to tween culture -- they code meme generators, Snapchat filters, and interactive games.

You and your students can create this project in conjunction with the Vidcode Coding Sandbox and Makey Makey lab kit to let kids to control videos they upload with the controller of their own making, pixelating and distorting their video as they wish.

Vidcode + Makey Makey Project Tutorial



You and your students are going to be making a controller that can change their video’s pixelation. See the final project on Vidcode.

To start, you’ll need:

A Vidcode educator account - make one for free

A Makey Makey

Alligator clips

Part 1: Signup

To access this coding project with your students, sign in or create a free Vidcode educator account, and add students from your class dashboard.

Guide students to the Sandbox under “Coding Kit”.

Part 2: Code

1. Students select a video, or upload one of their own. Your students’ video will appear, and so will the code that makes the video run!

2. Next, have students drag “Pixelate” into the text editor. Change the number 50 in pixelate(50); - what happens? What’s the highest the number can go before it stops changing? What happens if students put in a negative number?

3. Set pixelate to a variable. For example:

var pix = pixelate(10);

This variable stores the pixelate() function, so that it can be changed later in the project’s code.

4. Next, students drag in whenKeyDown under Effects. Look at the code - it creates an event listener that runs a function when someone presses a particular key. You and your students define what this key is in your code.

movie.whenKeyDown = function(key) {

//your code here

};

The name whenKeyDown describes what kind of event you want to "listen" for, and since it is a method, we set it equal to a function that’s listening for a key on your keyboard to be pressed.

5. You’re almost done with the coding part of the project! Next, you and your students need to specify what happens when a specific key gets selected. When a user presses the up arrow on their keyboard, the video should get more pixelated. When they press the down arrow, it should get less pixelated.

The first step is to write a conditional in the whenKeyDown function. The most common conditional is an if-statement. Imagine if you're giving someone directions. You can say, if you see a red house, turn left. An if-statement is like that, but in a language your computer can read.

Have your students write an if-statement inside of their whenKeyDown function. This will look like:

movie.whenKeyDown = function(key) {

if (true){

//students will add code here soon!

}

};

Which key gets pressed will be the condition that gets checked in your conditional statement. The condition is set inside the parenthesis after if.

6. Set your condition so that if key pressed is 'ArrowUp', the amount of pixelation in your video will change. For example:

if(key == "ArrowUp"){     //increase pixelation on my video }

In English, this is saying check if the key that’s pressed is ArrowUp, or the up arrow.

Have your students set their condition to key == "ArrowUp". Nothing should change yet. That's okay!

7. Now that a condition is set, your students will have to specify what happens when the up arrow is pressed. Remember, when the up arrow is pressed, the amount of pixelation affecting the video should increase.

Let's make this video get more pixelated! Increment means "add one to". It looks like this: pix.amount +=1;

Have your students add the code pix.amount +=1; inside of their conditional. The final code should look like this:

movie.whenKeyDown = function(key) {

if (key === 'ArrowUp'){

pix.amount +=1;

}

};

Try pressing the up arrow! Students’ videos should get more pixelated every time the up arrow is pressed.

8. Student Challenge: Write another conditional inside the whenKeyDown function that decreases pixelation when the down-arrow is pressed. Key should be set to 'ArrowDown'. You can always look at the final project if you need a hint!

Amazing! Now that the coding part of the project is done, your students can publish their projects. They can always go back later to add additional effects.

Part 3: Connecting to Makey Makey

Time to connect your Makey Makey! First, turn your Makey Makey on by plugging it into your computer with a USB cable.

You’ll want to connect to your up arrow to the Makey Makey. Connect an alligator clip to the up arrow on your Makey Makey. You’ll also connect an alligator clip to “Earth,” at the bottom. If you touch the two clips together, they’ll make a circuit, and your video will increase in pixelation!

Instead of just connecting the circuit with alligator clips, you can connect something to be your controller - like a banana! To do this, just connect the alligator clip going from Up Arrow into a banana. Now, you can hold the clip going to “Earth”, and touch the banana to increase the video’s pixelation.

Do the same thing to “Down Arrow” - connect an alligator clip to the down arrow on the Makey Maky. You can connect this to another banana, and hold the “Earth” clip to use both to controller the pixelation of your video! Have all your students try it.

How else could students create fun controllers for their video? How about giant up and down arrows made of tinfoil? Students could also go back into their code and add more conditionals tied to multiple effects and different keys. They could change the color of their video, or whether or not it’s black and white, and make a Video DJ controller to use on a project that’s uniquely to them!

Every month in 2019, Vidcode is going to be releasing a new blog post focusing on career pathways and role models related to computer science, along with related activities that you can do with your students.

The January Job Spotlight is: Computer Programmer

Computer programmers write the code that powers everything, from apps on your phone to websites you visit to software that powers hospitals and schools. They often work together, reviewing code and pair programming. Computer programmers write code in languages such as JavaScript - the language students learn to create projects with on Vidcode. For example, computer programmers customize Instagram filters - one of the very first free activities you can do with your students on Vidcode.

After completing the “Create a Filter” tutorial on Vidcode, you can discuss with your class: What do computer programmers make? How does coding change agriculture, energy and education, or other industries? How do computer programmers fit into that?

This month’s career role model is Lauren Reeves, a software developer at Black Rock. Read her story with your students to get inspired by her journey into software development.

Vidcode offers several cross-disciplinary courses that serve as an introduction to programming in connection with other subject areas. Cross-disciplinary computer programming activities serve as an introduction to students who might not otherwise get exposure to computer science and coding! Here are some case studies of amazing teachers that have used Vidcode to teach JavaScript programming across subject areas.

PS 34 Oliver H. Perry Elementary School

Brooklyn, New York

90 students

Subject: Social Studies

Code Objectives: Properties, conditionals, and loops

Other Learning Objectives: 21st century communication and digital literacy skills; Using technology to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information

ESL Spotlight

“I don’t think I would have gotten as many ESL students involved if I hadn’t proclaimed - This [coding] is done in partnerships. This is how the world works. It’s not built in isolation. Students who struggle with writing or academics, or are new to the country, showing them that this is done in community and in partnerships, in friendship. Also made it interesting for my ESL students. The vidcode curriculum helps dispel the stereotype that there is this lone programmer working by themselves”

- Shanti Crawford, 5th Grade Teacher

Project Example

“Students researched women who made a positive impact in the world. Some students chose Dolores Huerta. Others chose Michelle Obama and Marie Curie. Students coded motivational quotes and facts about their person of choice which appeared at the end of the animation.”

- Shanti

Seth Low Intermediate School

Brooklyn, New York

60 students

Subject: Science

Code Objectives: Repeat functions, and mouse interaction

Other Learning Objectives: 21st century communication and digital literacy skills; Using technology to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information

Teacher: Candace Miller, 7th Grade Teacher

Project Examples

Milbourne Lodge Prep School

Esher, United Kingdom

90 students

Subject: Literature

Code Objectives: Properties, conditionals, and loops

Other Learning Objectives: 21st century communication and digital literacy skills; Using technology to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information

“At my school we have freedom with curriculum. The theme is Arthur Ransome and we collaborated with IT and Art. Students created 1930s postcards that represented places in Arthur Ransome’s ‘Swallows and Amazons.’

I tried other platforms—and found them cold, distant, too adult. Vidcode is so young and vibrant. It gives students a sense of ownership. Vidcode is wonderfully visual and students don’t get left behind, as can easily happen on other platforms. I want students to leave a lesson feeling comfortable with JavaScript.”

- Sybil Cary, 6th Grade Teacher

Project Examples

Kennedy Middle School

Redwood City, CA

90 students

Subject: Math

Code Objectives: Properties, data types, and if/else statements

Other Learning Objectives: Students learn advanced concepts in JavaScript and the use of programming integrating math concepts from algebra and geometry.

“With Creative Math on Vidcode, I can literally take any assignment I’m working on in my math unit and have students reflect on what they are learning through Vidcode by having them create a digital media representation of the math concept”

As the co-founder and CEO of Vidcode, I found my passion for code in an atypical location - a modern art museum.

I fell in love with art in high school. Flash forward ten years, and I’m a working photographer in New York City. Around this time I went to an art exhibition at the MoMA called "Talk to Me" - which was all about interactive art and human-computer interaction. It changed my life forever. I had no idea, until that moment, the role that technology could play in the things I loved - art, psychology and education.

I started building interactive art projects - a heat sculpture (made out of copper tubing and circuits) that melts plastic according to the number of people walking by it. A large gallery installation, where two projections create a lenticular display. Never before had I been able to make art that responded to the audience.

Flash forward another few years, that spark inspired me to start a company - Vidcode - so that teens today don’t have to go through a 10-year discovery process to learn that their love for art and creative expression is directly connecting to computer programming.

With such high demand for computer science courses in schools, teachers across the world have stepped up to make sure their students have access to these learning opportunities. These educators work to provide up-to-date tools for their classrooms, regardless of whether they themselves have a traditional technology background. We are honored to work with these dedicated teachers in increasing the number of students interested in STEAM subjects.

The start of the new school year is almost upon us and we have some back to school tips to help you be at your most ready. Follow along to make the most of your Vidcode curriculum!

 1. Create a class

To get started, you can create a brand new class for the year and add your students. Students sign up using their Google accounts - just use the link in your teacher dashboard to add them to your class.

 2. Plan ahead

Review lesson plans ahead of time: simply click “Lesson Plans” in the left-hand menu and you will have access to all your unit material.

3. Explore free tutorials

Check out our newest free tutorial, End Plastic Pollution! The goal of this coding lesson is to increase students’ awareness of the problem of plastic pollution and is perfect for beginners.

Are your students ready for the next step? A great tutorial for students with coding experience is another Hour of Code lesson: Eclipse! Explore all of the free activities by assigning "Free Activities" to a class from your Teacher Dashboard.

 4. Get in the Back-to-School spirit

Get your students excited for the year of coding with a popular activity that lets them code back-to-school Snapchat filters. Use these links to for the activity, lesson plans, and a gallery of past projects:

Tutorial

Lesson plan

Gallery & Inspiration

Want more? Go even further with our Creative Coding One course. This course introduces students to the essential foundations of computer science and basic programming with a focus on identifying how code connects to and can enhance their existing interests. Learn all about Creative Coding 1!

Our goal at Vidcode is to give all students the opportunity to study programming. In order to give all students that opportunity, we must ensure we provide access to those who are underrepresented in the computer science industry. 

Women and people of color are still largely underrepresented in the computer science industry. According to a 2015 Taulbee study, only 16% of undergraduate computer science majors were women. This statistic is staggering considering that female students outnumber male students by 3 to 2 for almost every other major. In high schools, only 20% of students who take an AP computer science exam are students of color.

Job market demand for programming and engineering skills continues to outweigh supply -- so the question remains -- why are there so few women and people of color in this innovative and profitable field? 

At Vidcode, we work with schools and programs to reach students of all backgrounds and show them how computer science is behind the things they use every day. We often have schools ask us what they can do to attract more girls to computer science classes. The following tips are gleaned from organizations such as Harvey Mudd College and our research.

  Make things they care about

Throughout the initial research phase of Vidcode, we found that girls wanted the ability to make stuff with their friends and code things they were interested in, which is why Vidcode lets them use their media to code and customize Instagram and Snapchat filters. By keeping programming courses relevant and creative, we found that all students respond with excitement. 

  Introductory courses should emphasize practical and creative uses for programming 

Nothing loses a student’s interest faster than when they cannot correlate what they’re learning to real-world practicality. Students lose interest quickly when they cannot connect the things they are learning to something practical in the world that they know. Making certain the curriculum is practical and creative provides reason and context to learn challenging concepts. Starting with simplified projects like Hour of Code demystifies the coding experience and demonstrates that anyone can learn programming.

 Change the name of computer science courses

Harvey Mudd College changed the name of their mandatory introductory course to something that would peak the student’s interest: from “Introduction to programming in Java” to “Creative approaches to problem solving in science and engineering using Python.” This took them from 10% female computer-science majors to 40%.

 Offer AP Computer Science Principles 

In the U.S., the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) computer science classes are being expanded to attract more girls and underrepresented minorities. The 2016 national launch of the College Board's AP Computer Science Principles course is seen as key to this growth, since it is designed to appeal to more diverse students.

While the existing AP Computer Science course focuses on the Java programming language, the new course is a creative exploration of real-world problems. It's designed to appeal to people who might have assumed that computers were not for them. Vidcode has an AP CSP course available to help schools run successful AP CSP programs.

  Include a track for students with no coding background and encourage team building activities

 Administrators and faculty at Harvey Mudd noticed that in-class discussions were often dominated by students, often male, who had previous programming knowledge. This typically discouraged and intimidated students who had little to no experience coding. By creating curriculum tailored to true beginners, the school was able to build stronger team environments and empower all students to participate.

  Don’t say “guys” 

It may seem small, but gendered language matters. Call your students “programmers” instead!

 Create a mentorship program 

Students are often more inspired by their peers a year or two older than they are to industry professionals. Encourage diverse students to mentor others and take on leadership roles in the school. This gives female and minority students visible role models, which increases confidence and relieves the pressure to be “trail blazers” for their social groups.

Making even a few of these changes in the classroom and at a broader level will help close the gender and minority gap and create a healthier, more inclusive atmosphere in the computer science industry as a whole.

Deanna Roberts is always on the hunt for exciting and innovative platforms for her students. As a teacher who is well versed in technology education, Deanna knows what it takes to keep her students engaged and interested in the curriculum. After hearing of Vidcode’s Snapchat Challenge, she knew it would be the “perfect fit” for her Multimedia Productions class. In fact, the kids loved it! “The application of creating their very own Snapchat filter motivated them to want to learn more coding.”

Soon after completing the Snapchat Challenge, Deanna’s school decided to offer an Exploring Computer Science class. She knew just where to look for a learning environment. Vidcode’s Creative Coding course is the perfect solution to the challenges the school faced in incorporating this type of curriculum. The materials are up-to-date and expand on creative activities students already have an interest in (editing photos!). Furthermore, Vidcode’s compatibility across devices made integrating the curriculum easy. “Being a one-to-one school, we have a variety of devices and have had success with all!”

Deanna uses Vidcode’s curriculum for her 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes. She first builds upon her students’ background knowledge and basic understanding of coding. Then, she “hooks” them with Vidcode’s interpreted interface. The result? Not only do her students understand and enjoy new coding concepts, they are proud of their accomplishments. As one student said, “Look Mrs. Roberts, I didn't know what coding was until I took your class but look at how good I am at it!” For Deanna, this was “music to her ears!” Vidcode’s curriculum gives students confidence and encourages them to take risks by stepping outside of their comfort zone. Deanna creates a safe, yet challenging, atmosphere by utilizing collaborative study groups so that less expressive students feel secure in sharing their successes.

Both Deanna and her students appreciate the thoughtful and constructive organization of the Vidcode curriculum. It encourages student exploration, self-pacing, collaboration and reflection, which, says Deanna, are proven strategies for academic achievement and growth. Sage, one of Deanna’s students, flourished with this type of learning structure: “"I loved how it taught you everything about anything you want to learn. I learned a lot about coding, and had fun trying out new techniques and methods. There were many parts to it, but it wasn't overwhelming, as they split each part up into units and lessons where you got to apply what you learned." Another student, Ethan, loved this introduction to programming and is expanding his knowledge outside of school: “I did Vidcode in one of my school classes and since then I have spent time coding with my brother. When I have free time in school I will code for fun and Vidcode is a great way to do that. I learned so much."

Teachers like Deanna are instrumental in inspiring confidence in students. Through their creativity and dedication, these educators continue to empower students to pursue their passions. Thank you for your invaluable hard work!

We at Vidcode want to help you teach your students creative coding in a fun, accessible way. We actively listen when you express what you love and what might be frustrating about your Vidcode experience.

 In listening to you, we noticed that the ‘Profile’ section could be redone to help you find the things that you need in a more seamless way.

The Vidcode team is excited to announce the launch of our new My Classes feature -- a place where your students will do coursework and you will be able to track their progress.

The Profile and Courses sections will be gone, but you will be able to do all of the same things (and more!) with the My Classes feature. Here are a some key highlights:

Things you will still be able to do, but in a more seamless way:

Create classes and add students

View progress

View projects

View assessment data

Go through a Course as a student

*NEW* things you will be able to do:

Assign specific courses to Classes (groups of students)

View student Projects and Progress by Unit and Activity

Find lesson plans faster in the Class Dashboard -- not in Courses

Easily print lesson plans by clicking the ‘Print’ button

The experience will also change for your students -- they will now use My Classes to engage with the coursework and track their own progress, replacing the old Courses page. As a teacher, you can see what your students see by using the links under Student View.

Here is a video tour (under 3 minutes) of the new My Classes feature:

My Classes is coming soon -- so stay tuned for updates!

Once you start using My Classes, we want to hear what you think. Respond via the Intercom bubble in the bottom right corner.

February is Black History Month! Throughout the year, but especially in February, we celebrate the stories of influential African Americans like Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space and only astronaut ever on Star Trek.   Last month, classrooms around the world tried our new tutorial to expand on the traditional oral report with the addition of coding! Students made their own visual aid, in the form of a repeating slideshow background to accompany their presentation. Check out some of our favorite projects!

Try it yourself below! And don't forget to share any projects on Twitter and tag us @vidcode!

Download Lesson Plan

Live long and prosper.

Celebrate Women’s History Month in March! March is Women’s History Month, and throughout the month, schools the U.S. and around the world celebrate the diverse historical and societal accomplishments made by women from all walks of life.  We also recognize the barriers broken by women and raise awareness of those yet to fall. 

Your classroom can celebrate Women’s History Month with code by creating animations featuring notable women leaders and quotes that express their point of view. Explore leadership, power and strength of conviction by repurposing the popular “deal with it” meme.

Teacher tip: This is an intermediate project, using variables, loops and conditionals. If this is the first time your students have encountered JavaScript or Vidcode, start off with the Black History Month tutorial.

We love to see what kids are making! Share your Women's History Month projects on Twitter or Facebook and be sure to tag us @vidcode.

Guest blog post by our summer intern Olivia, a rising senior at Marymount.

1). This first Vidcode project, coded by Candace Miller, teaches students about the digestive system in a fun and simple way. Great job, Candace!

2). This second Vidcode project, coded by Olivia Miller, allows viewers to see what the sun may look like in space. Since we cannot actually go to space and observe the motion of planets and of the sun, it is great to see animations of them online when studying astronomy. Great job, Olivia!

3). This third Vidcode project, coded by the Earth Guys, gives us tips on how to minimize our environmental impact. Great job, Earth Guys!

4). This fourth Vidcode project, coded by Vidcoder, shows us all that global warming is a serious issue which must be stopped.  If we do not take measures to prevent global warming from happening, the earth will burn one day. Great job, Vidcoder for bringing awareness to global warming in such a clear way!