Getting Kids to Code

With our world depending more and more on technology, we need individuals who can not only create the applications and devices that we seek, but also maintain them.  Research has proven that as our need for technology grows, the number of people who can code is dropping.  WE NEED TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO CODE!  How do get started in teaching this very necessary but foreign language?  There are a lot of free sights out there, like Code.org, Tynker, and of course, the great CS First courses offered by Google.  But, if you have a little bit of a budget, you might look into Sphero.

Sphero is a robot ball that can be programmed in matter of minutes from very simple commands at the Kinder level, to extremely complex commands for expert coders.  It really is quite amazing to watch someone who has never coded before actually program a Sphero to move and light up!

The Sphero is about the size of a cue ball, and it does move at great speed.   Check out the video here to watch Sphero in action.  Sphero costs about $120 per unit, but they do have an educator discount, allowing you to buy 12 for about $100 each. 

Are your kids into Star Wars?  Say hello to the BB-8 version of Sphero!  He can be purchased for about $20 more than the original Sphero, but how cool would it be to have your own BB-8 to program?

If that is just a bit too pricey, there is an Ollie, which sells for $99.  He looks like a cylinder and works pretty much the same way as Sphero does. Click here to watch how Ollie works and moves.

So let’s say I am lucky enough to be able to purchase this great little guy…now what?  Sphero is compatible with all types of devices and systems, making it ideal for classroom use.  There is a Lightning Lab Google Chrome application, IOS app and Google Play app, that will allow the user to not only simply control the Sphero, but also program it.  Even Pre-K students have the ability to draw or drop commands of how they want Sphero to move.

The programming begins with drag and drop movements, statements and functions, (which is how all of the coding applications work) each one having a command for Sphero to follow.  As students begin to get proficient in using the application, they can move to typing in the actual coding commands.

Using the Lightning Lab application, students can save their work, load files they have already created and even view and execute file examples by others to help them to learn the code better and faster.  

These coding skills are helping students to master the four c's of collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking all while working with Sphero.  Many studies have found that learning through failure is essential for all of us to learn more deeply and fully, and I couldn't agree more.  When Sphero doesn't move or behave the way it should, students will need to problem solve to figure out what part of their code is not working properly.  If you find that your budget is just too thin to purchase a Sphero or an Ollie, please consider using Code.org, Tynker or the Google CS First courses.  We need to expose our students to coding in order to help them see the benefits of it.  If we run out of coders, our technology and eventually our society, will fail, and we will all be lost!  Save the world by teaching your kids to code!